Get down to the ground

 

What this session is about

1. Scoop and diving saves.
2. Footwork.
3. Handling.

 

What to think about

Your goalkeepers need to know how to:

• Scoop save: Get in line with the ball. Bend the knees to form a “K” shape with legs while leaning towards ball – the K shape is formed by bending one knee in to prevent the ball going between the legs. Scoop the ball with the hands in to the chest. Drop on the ball so it cannot spill out to an attacker.
• Dive save: Push off from the leg nearest the ball. Dive slightly diagonally forward and across the goal. Remember the order of hitting the ground – ankle, outside of knee, hip, side of upper torso, shoulder.

 

Set-up

Warm up	Session	Development	Game Situation	Warm Down
10 minutes	10 minutes	10 minutes	15 minutes	15 minutes

 

What you get your players to do

Split your squad into pairs. Players stand four yards apart: One player is the server, the other is the keeper. The server passes the ball gently straight to the keeper’s feet for the keeper to scoop save. Increase the shot force gradually.

Next, the goalkeeper lies on one side, putting his weight on the side of the knee, thigh and hip. When the server passes the ball, the keeper rocks down on to the side of his torso to make the diving save, catches the ball then throws back to the server before rocking back up.

Players switch roles, then repeat the drill with the players lying down in the opposite direction.

To progress, use a goal. The server stands seven yards from the goal and to one side of it, towards the keeper’s left-hand post.

The keeper kneels on his right knee on the goal line, far enough away from the post so that when he dives and is fully stretched, he is able to touch the post.

The server passes the ball at pace along the ground, for the keeper to dive, save, return the ball, and then get back into position.