Tag Archives for " High Balls "

Dealing With Crosses & High Balls

By Josh Jones-Keen -

Dealing with crosses is about being brave & strong both mentally and physically. Give the strikers something to worry about and give the defenders nothing to worry about.

Warm Up

A strong part of dealing with crosses and high balls is footwork. This warm up works on the basic fundamentals of dealing with an unopposed high ball. To start I would have the keepers perform a footwork drill, for the benefit of this session I have used a ladder but you could use an assortment of

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Claiming Balls Out of the Air

By Patrick Kasperitis -

Claiming balls out of the air is such a difficult skill. It involves so many different variables that the goalkeeper has little control over. We have to work with our goalkeepers to make sure that they are able to block out as many of those variables and distractions as possible and focus on:

  • tracking the ball
  • using good footwork to keep body in good position
  • going for and jumping for the ball with strength and confidence
  • Catch and hold onto the ball while coming out of the air

There are many exercises that can try to improve these individual aspects. This exercise will work to improve the

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Catching High Balls and Quick Distribution

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter.  Today’s featured activity works on catching high balls and quick distribution.

To start have a keeper in goal, a server with balls 20-25 yards out, two dummies inside the 6 yard box and a couple of gates (or small goals) 30-40 yards out.

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The server starts by playing a

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Dealing With High Balls

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on catching high balls and using proper footwork.

Start with a keeper in goal and a server at the top of the D. There are two flags on the 6 yard line even with the posts. The server has a ball in his hands.

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The keeper starts by sprinting around the outside of one of the cones and catching a lofted ball from the server (the ball should be

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Drill For Dealing With High Balls

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on high balls, footwork and some fitness

Start with a server on the top of the 18 with some balls and a keeper in goal.

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The keeper starts by dropping to the ground and doing a push up. The server then tosses a ball high in the air which should

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Why Footwork is Critical For High Balls

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on footwork for high balls.

Start with a keeper on the top of the 6 yard box and a server at the top of the 18 with some balls. Place a cone 3 yards from the goal line and 2 yards in from each post.

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The purpose of this activity is to have the keeper get back and behind the ball before

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Judging and Catching High Balls

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter.  Today’s featured activity works on judging and catching high balls.

One of the difficulties keepers have in dealing with high balls is they have to first judge the ball, figure out where it’s coming down and then go up and catch the ball.  Here is a simple activity that can be done by keepers of all ages.

Start with a keeper with a ball in his hands and a server 10 yards away also with a ball in his hands (in the diagram below, the red player is the keeper).


The keeper starts by tossing his

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