Date: Thursday Weekly Coaching:

Goalkeepers in age groups from Under 7’s to Under 13’s.

Key Techniques:

Set into low/collapsing and high saves. Stationary and moving ball.

Venue: Burnage Academy

Duration: 1 Hour

Introduction: Can we get the goalkeeper’s start and set position correct to help them make the type of save needed with more success. To make the correct technical save, the ‘keeper’ will need the correct set, footwork and decision making along with the basic ability to dive. This session we will be looking at the basic techniques on how to make the save with the progression in future weeks moving into making the save whilst moving our feet.

Warm-up activities: Very basic. Each keeper will have a ball; in there set position moving around the area. Simple instructions will be given such as set (where they stand still and set), dive (can they dive right and left), jump, skip, hop and change ball with partner. Progress onto smothering partners ball. Making sure only minor coaching points come out as it is the warm up. This must be fun, high temp with the keepers smiling and enjoying what they are doing.

Drills and games:

Progressions: Can we move onto making the saves whilst moving our feet? Can we look at what areas we need to palm the ball away to, if needed? Can we look at second saves after making the initial save and spilling.

Coaching tips/questions/challenges: Can they catch the ball, can they make the correct decision and if not, can they push the ball away to safety. Always look to hold the shot!

Cool Down: Simple movements and slowing down of activities. Can we do a Q + A activity before they leave.

From the set position the goalkeeper must step with the leg nearest the ball this will transfer the body weight forward and help the goalkeeper take the ball early. The head should finish behind the ball with the eyes looking through the back of the ball. The goalkeeper’s leading hand is behind the ball and the right hand is on top to trap the ball.

When saving the ball at shoulder height from the set position the goalkeeper must step towards the line of the ball with the foot nearest the ball. This will transfer the goalkeeper’s body weight slightly forward towards the save. The goalkeeper should make the save over the knee, hands are in the ‘W’ shape and the head is behind the ball as the save is made.

The high diving save is similar, however slightly harder to master. Again, the leg closest to the football steps slightly forward and the other leg is the power leg. The goalkeeper must push down on his trailing leg to help provide elevation which will make him dive at a higher angle. The goalkeeper’s hands still leading to make a clean high diving save. However, with both of these diving techniques, depending on how powerful the shot is, the goalkeeper must decide whether they are going to attempt to catch the ball or parry it away to safety.