By Chris Kouns
These activities utilize working with the team as a method of creating scenarios for goalkeepers to train in an environment that provides multiple repetitions of technical or tactical skills
Activity 1
Set up involves a grid roughly the width of the box (determined by the total number of players you have available for training) and a depth slightly less that the depth. Within the grid there will be two teams and the goal keepers that you have available. Teams will get a point if they are able to play a ball to a goalkeeper and have the goalkeeper successfully “save” or “receive” the ball.
PHASE A
Players should complete at least two passes before they are able to play to a goalkeeper. If they lose possession after getting two passes, but, not finding a goalkeeper, then they must start over with their passing count when they win the ball back.
PHASE B
Same as above, but, if you have multiple goal keepers available then you can make it a competition between the goalkeepers for points. For instance, if a ball is played in the air to a goal keeper then the two (or three) goalkeepers can compete for the ball in the air. If you use the competition scenario then you will keep points for players’ teams and for individual goalkeepers.
PHASE C
You can continue the competitive nature of training the goalkeepers by also allowing any goalkeeper who is able to go to ground and try to take a ball off a player’s foot to get a point. This will incorporate break away type saves and you may want to increase the number of passes to three or four so that the goalkeepers will have more opportunities to find a ball they can go for.
Coaching Points
- Goalkeepers should focus on using
proper technique when they gather air balls and ground balls - Goalkeepers should focus on their communication with players by directing of demanding the balls played
- If goalkeepers are competing then they should focus on their footwork in terms of getting to the ball as well as enabling them to explode to the ball in the air or on the ground
- If goalkeepers are allowed to go to ground and try to work on break away saves the timing of when to go in terms of players touch of ball
Should be a high priority - In all competitive activities focus on making saves while protecting both the ball and the goal keepers body
Activity 2
Within a grid approximately 20 wide x 20 deep you will have two teams playing three v three for possession. The team designated as the “Attacking Team” will also have four players (one on each side of the box facing the goalkeeper. The defending team will have two players outside the box in the space between those on the inside and those who are at the flags.
PROGRESSION OPTIONS
- After three passes completed by the “attacking team” they can play any of the four attackers at the wide flags. When those players receive the ball they, and their fellow attacker across from them, will go to goal vs the goalkeeper. Once the wide player receives the ball one of the two “defenders” in the spaces outside of the grid can also join to defend as a recovering defender. As soon as that ball is on its way to goal the 3 v 3 in the grid should start again with a new ball so it will be a continuous string of attacking situations for the goalkeeper to deal with.
- You can also choose to make it so that the attacking winger must attack the goal by themselves (with or without a recovering defender) so that the goalkeepers will be facing break away situations from various different angles. If you choose this option you may want to lessen the number of passes to just two connected then playing a winger to “break away” If you decide not to have a recovering defender you can use the extra defending players to replace defenders in the grid.
Coaching Points
- Focus on goalkeeper awareness of where attacks could arise from based on the body position of the players in the grid (when they are about to connect for the third pass or after they have completed the third pass. Since the attacking team can play any of the four wingers you must always look for the danger
- With regard to the recovering defender the goalkeeper must focus on their position and angle to the ball as well as direct them to take the ball, cut off the angle of the pass or any other choices the situations allows to occur
- After making a save or having the ball go out of play behind their goal they must “refocus” immediately as the next ball will be in play as soon as the previous ball went to a winger. So, reevaluating the situation quickly must be completed or goals may come in quick succession
- In all saves focus on proper footwork, type of save and proper angle for situation
Activity 3
In a field at least 70 (if not 80 yards long), and with a width of 44 yards, have two teams playing 6 v 6 or 7 v 7 to a specific goal. On the outside of the field the remaining players will be staggered around and prepared to join the game if they are played the ball.
FOCUS OPTIONS
- As long as a team is in possession of the ball they can continue to add players to the game increasing the complication of directing defenders and recognizing threats for the goal keeper
- You can make it so that any player who receives a ball six yards from the end of the field their team is attacking on MUST attack the goal on the dribble and then will need to cross the ball to another player to finish. This will allow the goal keepers to work on their ability to read the cross and help them focus on their angles as they move with the cross
- You can decide that when any player outside of the field of play receives the ball then the attacking team MUST shoot within the next five passes. This will increase the probability of shots from longer distances and from force the goal keeper to pay special attention to their starting position and distance from goal
COACHING POINTS
- If teams are allowed to continue adding players when in possession goal keeper focus should be in directing defenders to close off the most dangerous areas or attacking options so that shot stopping can occur prior to the shot
- If teams are required to bring the ball directly to goal when it is received in the last 6 yards of their attacking half the goal keeper should focus on body shape and positioning. They should also work to be aware of where the runners are coming from and use the proper footwork necessary to make the save in that situation
- If teams are required to shoot within five passes of the ball going to the outside then the goal keeper must be very aware of their supporting position (for their team) as well as their starting position when the other team has the ball. This will vary according to the speed that a goal keeper can get in position to deal with chipped or lofted balls, as well as their ability to reach balls just under the bar
- In all activity options the goal keeper must continue to focus on proper body positioning when making the save. They should also work to ensure balls that are not caught are parried wide of the goal, over the goal or at very least are not put right back into play for rebound goal opportunities
By Chris Kouns: USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Coach Georgia Gwinnet College Women’s Soccer (GA)
