By Scott Housden -
Holding the ball when making a save is always what we as goalkeepers would like to achieve time and time again. However, many factors such as movement of the ball or weather conditions or, even a simple mistake can lead to the ball being spilled. The drill outlined below is a great addition to dealing with second phase saves from a parry.
Set Up
The goalkeeper holds a ball and on the servers call quickly drops the ball to one side (approximately 1 – 2 meters away from them). The goalkeeper quickly ‘sets’ with the server shooting another ball into the opposite side of the goal using a side foot shot.
The goalkeeper must then quickly recover and move to smother the stationary second ball (the one that the goalkeeper dropped at the start of the drill). Perform 4 – 6 repetitions each side.
Coaching Points
As we are working on second phase saves focus is on the recovery in between saves as well as the second save. However, due diligence must be applied to the first save inasmuch that proper technique must be applied to making the first save.
• Attacking the ball and leading with your hands when making a foot knee shoulder diving save.
• Quick recovery after making a diving save using your top ‘pendulum’ leg and forward moving top shoulder motion.
• Stay low when recovering (avoid standing upright) so that your movement to the second ball is quick and direct.
• Attacking the second ball and lead with your hands when making a smothering save.
Progression
The goalkeeper rolls the ball out a little further (i.e. outside the six yard box) on the servers call. The server can then move towards the second ball (after the first shot) and either shoot or pressure the goalkeeper when smothering the ball (depending on where the ball was rolled to).
Additionally, the goalkeeper can bounce the ball until the server calls for the ball to be rolled out.
By Scott Housden
Scott is both a UEFA ‘B’ and UEFA ‘B’ Goalkeeping Coach and holds a Masters in Sports Management. He has been a goalkeeper coach in professional football in the UK and Australia at First Team, Academy and Women’s levels. He currently runs a Goalkeeper Academy in the Western Suburbs of Brisbane, Australia.
