Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Diving 4 Week Syllabus

Basics of Diving (35 mins)

Week 1

This session can be used for young/novice goalkeepers to teach basic, essential diving techniques and can also be used to refine older, more experienced goalkeepers techniques.

1. goalkeeper starts on backside.

Server rolls ball to either side for goalkeeper to work down to with both hands

work on goalkeepers starting with hands set around waist and working 2 hands towards the ball together (handcuffs) leaving 1 hand behind and 1 hand on top in W shape.

Angle of body should be slightly forwards with top leg up and bottom elbow out from underneath body, head in behind hands

10 reps either side then switch

2.1 Collapsing dive

Goalkeeper starts on knees. Server plays ball to either side to first work on the technique for a collapse dive. Ball played a little closer to goalkeeper.

Keeper moves closest knee to ball away from the ball and towards other leg, drop hands down and out immediately to ball, driving from the waist (shoot from the hips). Ensure elbow is out from underneath body and the angle of the body is forwards with head in behind hands in W.

2.2 Low Dive

Again keeper starts on knees. This time, attack the ball by stepping knee closest out and towards the ball. Again, driving hands down, towards the ball in handcuffs, 1 behind, 1 on top leaving a W shape with head in behind the ball and elbow out.

2.3 Mid Height Dive

As above but attacking ball in between knee/shoulder height. Guide ball down to floor, don't encourage ball to slam on the floor.

**work on technique of falling on to side of knee, hip and back of shoulder**

3. Goalkeeper working towards a static ball on the floor placed on an angle out in front of them.

3.1. Collapse dive: throw leg closest to ball away either behind opposite leg or towards opposite leg. Drive hands down towards ball quickly. 1 behind, 1 on top in a W, side of knee, hip and back of shoulder. All technique, points as above

3.2. Low Dive: step on a diagonal out and towards ball, toe pointing to line of ball. All technique as above

4. 1 player holds ball in either hand away from their body with partner facing. Partner steps out and towards ball, takes ball from partners hand and drops down to floor controlling ball to floor. All other techniques as above

Diving (15 mins)

Week 2

Working in 4-6-8 yard goals depending on age.

Goalkeepers take it in turns to strike ball towards each other ensuring serves are accurate and are achievable for opposing goalkeeper at varying distances from the goalkeeper and heights.

Again, observe technique, encourage correct technique and also encourage goalkeepers to help each other.

Diving/Footwork/Angles (15 mins)

Week 3

Diving/ Footwork/ Angles

Goalkeeper works from post around the back of cone and into line. Use line between post/cone as reference to diving/angles.

Quick footwork around and in, SET early (either when in line of when striker pulls to shoot)

Assess decision making/technique/angles/footwork.

Rotate goalkeeper(s) and server after each strike.

Diving/Footwork/Angles (15 mins)

Week 4

Strike from angle, rebound availabe if not caught or pushed to safety

Move quickly for 2nd shot which is taken early to make 2nd save.

Continue to reinforce points from previous weeks, assess decision making, footwork, angles etc.

Finish session on keeper wars