By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on the drop step.
The drop step is extremely important for the keeper when he is off his line and the ball is chipped toward to cross bar. The way he executes the drop step is if he is doing a drop step with his right foot, he turns his lower body to his right and his right foot goes straight back (making a 90 degree turn).
This activity starts with 3 cones making a triangle. Two cones are just a bit wider than the keepers normal stance and the third cone is 2 yards straight back. The keeper starts between the first two cones and a server is 10 yards in front with a ball.
The server starts by playing a ball right at the keeper for an easy save.
The keeper returns the ball to the server and then the server calls “left” or “right”. If the server calls “right” the keeper does a drop step toward the back cone.
(the step would be much bigger than is represented in this graphic as the step is used both to get you going in the correct direction but also with momentum).
If the server calls “left” the keeper drops with the left foot.
If you want you can have the server toss the ball over the keepers head so the keeper has to catch or push the high ball but, in the beginning, that part isn’t needed as we are simply trying to get the keeper accustomed to the proper drop step.
Do this 10 times in each direction but don’t alternate sides, instead various it anyway you want to keep the keeper honest.
Have a great day!
Lawrence
By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
