By Wayne Henderson -
Sometimes rather than be Specific as to which definitive element of goalkeeping you, as a coach are looking to work on for a certain session, You may need to work on as many different elements as you can within a short space of time.
you might be having your first look at some new signings, or see how your goalkeepers have come back from a post season break or maybe you are short of time and need to work on as many different elements as you can within a short space of time, this drill works very well for all of these situations.
The set up is as follows,
1 feeder, 1 mannequin, 1 red cone and 1 blue cone positioned just at the side of the mannequin and some footballs.
The goalkeeper starts standing behind the mannequin, awaiting the command from the coach. On the shout of “GO” from the coach the goalkeeper quickly moves around the mannequin and gets into the ready position to receive a shot at goal from the feeder.
The goalkeeper can go around the cones alternately left the 1st time and right the 2nd time etc.
The variations with this drill are endless.
Because of the additions of the coloured markers to the side of the mannequin the coach can start the drill with many different commands – for example, the command can be “LEFT” or “RIGHT” meaning that the goalkeeper must move around the mannequin to the left or right side. The command can also be “RED” or “BLUE” so the ‘keeper must go around the mannequin to the red or blue side. If using both of these commands at the same time, the goalkeeper has 4 options to start the drill and must be focused at all times.
The variations don’t end there, Once the ‘keeper has got around the mannequin and is in his or her ready position; the feeder can also vary the strikes at goal.
The feeder can choose from a Strike from floor, Volley, ½ Volley, Side Volley, Dipping shot etc.
The Progression for this drill is to add a 2nd feeder from either a central area or an angled feed from the opposite side of the box as shown in the 3rd diagram.
My preference when the 2nd feeder is added is to the 2nd feeder strike at goal with any type of strike they like, so the goalkeeper has no what to expect from the last part of the drill.
Even within such an uncomplicated drill, there are many Coaching Points to look out for.
The goalkeeper should take short sharp steps to get quickly into position.
They should always keep their hands in front of their body ready to receive the ball.
They should try to keep their chest facing the feeder as much as possible.
Once around the mannequin it is important that the ‘keeper adopts the correct position so he/she is not showing too much of 1 side of the goal to the feeder.
As always the goalkeeper is encouraged to catch the ball when possible and if the ball is dropped the goalkeeper’s first instincts is to try and be 1st to loose ball.
By Wayne Henderson
