Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): General Handling / Diving Session S1
FAW Coach Ed
Lestyn Farley
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Key Factors
Both Goalkeepers will have a six-yard goal on either side of the six yard box. Both goalkeepers will move across to the cone in the middle of the 6-yard box then will change direction to perform a low diving save.
The purpose of this exercise is for the goalkeepers across the goal line whilst remaining facing towards the ball, working on the ability on changing direction to prepare themselves and to perform a low diving save. After performing three saves both goalkeepers will swap goals to perform 3 more reps, working on diving in the opposite direction. This will also work on their coordination by changing direction with across goal movement.
Mechanics
- Use good footwork to get into position to dive. Small shuffle steps, or occasionally even a quick cross-step, need to be used to get the body into the proper range to make the dive.
- The first step going into a dive should be sideways towards the ball and forward at roughly a 30-degree angle. This gives the keeper the proper angle to deflect balls away from goal.
- Get low and shoot out towards the ball. Drive with the near leg, starting low to generate power. This should come as a natural progression after the step forward at the angle.
- Stay square while diving and after landing on the ground. Even while in midair, the keeper's body should be square to the ball. This is because this gives them the best catching position, gets the largest part of their body behind the ball, and will have them land on their hip and side which is the safest landing position.
- Make a decision on whether to catch the ball or to parry depending on the speed and power of the ball, then cushion the fall. When catching, using the preferred hand positioning to catch the ball, firmly hold on to it whilst making sure to land on the side of your body to make it less painful. Once you’ve landed, bring the ball into the body to ensure that the ball doesn’t get spilled back into the field of play.
Organisation
4 cones (2 cones 8-12 feet apart acting as goals)
2 working GKs
2 servers
2 balls
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Key Factors
This exercise will have one goalkeeper work at a time and 2 servers. This will work on movement across the goal whilst dealing with a diving save from an angle. This exercise will incorporate footwork, change of direction and speed across the goal mouth. Firstly, the goalkeeper who is working will receive a strike down the center. After dealing with the strike, the goalkeeper will cross-step into the miniature goals where they will side-shuffle to cone, labelled as ‘3’, then finally changing direction with their footwork in order to dive to their near post to deal with a low shot from an angle. The servers will deliver firm shots into the near post only while giving the goalkeeper who is working a chance to save the ball. This exercise contains the same mechanics as the previous exercise.
Development
The exercise will remain the same but now the server on the angle is allowed to try and score in the miniature goal, making the exercise more of a realistic scenario.
Organisation
1 cone (on edge of 6 yard box, on an angle from the post)
1 football
1 working GK
2 Servers
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Key Factors
- To begin the exercise each GK will begin in each half of the goal, one slightly forward than the other to avoid collision. They will then use their footwork along with a small leap to travel across the goal and over the hurdle(1). The trigger for the strikers to shoot is when both feet of the GK, has crossed the hurdle. Then the GK will face a shot preferably in the corner having their sight slightly obstructed by the mannequin. They will perform this exercise for 6 reps each. This will be a competitive exercise where each save counts as 1 point and a solid catch with no bobbles is worth 2. However, if the striker scores they themselves gain 1 point bonus.
- The purpose of this exercise is for the GK to use rapid but precise footwork movements to reach across goal and make a reaction save after bounding and sight obstruction. I will be observing how the GK can maintain good body posture for reaction and their ability to deal with the ball after obstruction.
Organisation
- 18yd box
- 1 full-size goal
- 2 serves on each side of the ‘D’
- 6 balls
- 2 cones on each corner of the ‘D’
- 2 mannequins on the 6yd box, 1 yard off centre in each direction
- 2 working GKs
- Small Hurdle
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
Key Factors
This is to warm up the GKs and prepare their bodies for the contact whilst diving within the session. Also it is to breakdown the technique so the GKs solely focus on their technique. To begin the goalkeepers will begin on their knees and off center of the goals. The servers will firmly pass the ball along the ground to an area to force the goalkeepers to dive. This is to replicate the final actions of a dive and focusing on dealing with a shot as well as preparing their bodies to receive contact from the ground and that they are diving effectively. The goalkeepers will perform three sets of 5 reps working on each side.
Organisation
4 cones (2 cones as a goal spaced 8 feet apart)
2 working GKs
2 servers
2 footballs