Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Session 2: Shot Stopping

Warm Up

Set Up

• Set out a 3ydx3yd box with cones.
• 2 more cones set inline with the box at 15 yards out and 20 yards.
• Mannequin placed in the middle of the 6 yard box.
• 2 cones set out either side to act as gates for future progressions.

Distances and the size of the box can be adjusted to suit age/ability.

Aim

To have the Goalkeepers working on their movement and Shot Stopping Techniques.

Warm Up

• GK1 stands at back of box - GK2 starts as server.
  
• On the coaches call, GK1 moves to the front of the box into the set position ensuring they are in line with the ball and the middle of the goal (Into line/Down the line of the ball)
• GK2 serves the ball straight at GK1.
• GK1 Gathers the ball using the correct Handling Mechanics and returns the ball.
• GK1 returns and takes his place behind the mannequin ready to go again.
• The drill is then repeated.

Start with Serving the ball straight at the keeper and then change placements of ball the the warm up progresses 

Start with low intensity - Rolling/Throwing the ball - and increase intensity - Striking/Vollying the ball - as the warm up progresses.

• Get into the set position quickly.
• Stay Big, almost upright and weight forward on the toes.

• Focus on starting position.
• Move into line/down the line of the ball.
• Into Set position - Look to Set as standing foot is planted for a shot.
• If dive is required, dive forward.
• Early decision to catch/punch or parry.
• Handling Techniques.
• Recover.

Deflecting the ball with feet

• Set Position.
• Make Decision.
• React.
• Deflect ball away from goal and attacker

Mechanics

• Set Position - Head fixed on ball.
• Elbows bent.
• Hands out in front and the width of a football apart.
• Feet shoulder width apart.
• Nose in-front of toes.
• Knees bent and heels up.

• The W's - Thumbs together (to form the shape of a W with forefingers).
• Rest of fingers spread out around ball.
• Eyes fixed on ball.
• Elbows slightly bent to act as suspension.
• Weight forwards.

• The Cup - Little fingers together.
• Palm of hands facing out.
• Fingers spread.
• Body Shape arched over ball
• Weight Forwards..

• Diving - Closest leg steps forward in the direction of dive.
• Stepping leg bends slightly to provide the power to push off for the dive.
• Hands move in the direction of the ball.
• Eyes fixed on the ball.
• Catching the ball using the 'W's' and 'Scoop' technique depending on position of the ball.

Progression 2

Progression 2 - Deflecting with Feet

At times it’s impossible to get down quickly enough to save close-range low-driven shots with your hands so you may need to use your feet to stop the shot.

• GK1 stands behind the Mannequin - GK2 starts as server.
  
• On the coaches this time call's 'Front/Back Left' or 'Front/Back Right', GK1 bursts out from behind the mannequin, touches the called out cone and moves to the front of the box into the set position ensuring they are in line with the ball and the middle of the goal (Into line/Down the line of the ball)
• GK2 serves the ball on the floor to just outside of the stance of GK1.
• GK1 uses his feet to deflect the ball away from him and towards the gate.
• GK1 returns and takes his place behind the mannequin ready to go again.
• The drill is then repeated.

The 2 cones set out either side is to encourage the GK to move the ball away from them and the goal, and away from the attacker.

If ball is deflected back towards the server, then server can immediately play the ball back in.

Rotate the Goalkeepers throughout the drill, with each taking their turn as servers.

Mechanics & Key Factors

As per warm up.

Technical

Technical

Set-Up

50yd x 40yd pitch

Mannequins or Poles placed at 20yds from non-area goal and 5 yards in from the touchline either side.

4 Bibbed players either end to the side of the goal.

• GK1 starts with the ball, an Attacker comes from behind the goal and the ball is played into him.
• The Attacker dribbles the ball to the opposite goal where he takes a shot.
• The Attacker then becomes a Defender and starts to retreat.
• Once the ball has been Stopped/Secured by by GK2, 2 Attackers advance on the pitch from behind GK2's goal.
• GK2 rolls the ball out to the attackers who advance down the field, a 2v1 situation has now been created.
• Attackers move the ball to beat the Defender and then take a shot at GK1.
• Attackers again become the Defenders.
• Once the ball has been Stopped/Secured by GK1, 2 more Attackers advance on the pitch from behind GK1's goal to create a 3vs2.
  
• The 2 new attackers move wide around mannequins where the ball is played into either of the players by GK1.
• The Attackers move the ball to create a scoring opportunity.
• After this stage, the drill restarts. 

SSG (25 mins)

SSG

Set Up:

• 5 vs 5 
• 35yd x 25yd (Pitch size can vary depending on age group).
  
• Coach to start by feeding the ball into a GK

Aim

• Attacking team to create shooting opportunities.
• Preference for Attacking team to take early shots.

Conditions

• Maximum passes – 2/3 or as required.
• Attacking Team: Will score 1 point for a shot on target.
• 2 Points if for a goal scored from a rebound off the keeper
• 3 points for a goal scored directly.
• Goalkeeper:  Scores 1 point for a save
• 2 points for a recovery save.

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Finish with Free play

Intervene as required to ensure good practice and Techniques are used.