• Setup:
• A coach (acting as a striker) and a GK stand opposite one another with 6-8 balls lined up along the 6-yard box on the RHS of a full sized goal.

 

• Methodology:
  • The GK Coach (acting as a striker) picks each ball randomly and attempts to ‘shoot’ through the GK (to be performed with care).
  • The GK shuffles laterally across from one ball to the next and adopts a ‘set’ position no closer than a metre away from each ball in an attempt to block the shot.
  • The action is performed at top speed and finishes when all balls are used.
  • The action is then repeated on the LHS of the goal

The GK Coach (acting as a striker) picks a ball at random

The GK shuffles laterally across from one ball to the next and adopts a ‘set’ position no closer than a metre away from each ball in an attempt to block the shot.

The GK Coach attempts to ‘shoot’ through the GK (to be performed with care).

• Keep directly goal side behind the ball.
• Get as close to the ball as the exercise allows (remain approx. 1-1.5m away from the ball – see below)
• The GK adopts a ‘set’ position with hands low to the ground, close to the body and palms facing outward.
• One leg is up (that closest to the near post) and one leg is down (that closest to the far post) covering the ‘nut meg’ or possible shot through the legs.
• The GK’s head is still and eyes remain open and fixated on the ball.
• The GK’s lower body is bent in a crouched position while the upper body remains as big as possible.
• At no stage does the GK dive at the coach’s feet in an attempt to win the ball.

• Body not in behind the ball (poor angles)
• Staying too far away from the ball increases the target area for the striker.
• Getting too close to the ball may result in the GK moving into a 50/50 position or better to win the ball. (Note: in this drill we assume that the ball is closer to the striker than the GK. When this is the case the GK should not attempt to go to ground and win the ball. If the GK is in a 50/50 position or better he should always attempt to win the ball. If not he holds his ground and stays on his feet and waits for the striker to move).
• Head and shoulders turn, forcing trunk to turn, resulting in more target area seen by the striker.
• Hands too high off the ground and/or hidden behind the legs.
• Hands turned in (thumbs pointing to striker) resulting in less target area covered.
• One foot further forward than the other and not in one line side by side resulting in less target area covered.