Goalkeeping 1v1

CENTRAL APPROACHES AND WIDE APPROACHES

We set up in an area of 10x10yds with the keeper defending a two-yard goal and an attacker starting from a cone opposite the centre of the goal [1a]. Start the session with the goalkeeper working on facing central approaches from an attacker.

Play starts with the keeper rolling the ball out to their opponent, who will either try to dribble around the keeper or elect to take a shot.

[1a]

1. The keeper rolls a ball to an attacker and moves forward to narrow the angle. They should be ready to delay, save or block

2. The attacker can try to score by either dribbling around the keeper or shooting

To give your keeper experience of dealing with wide approaches this time the attacker starts from a wide position [1b]. Play again starts with the keeper rolling the ball out to the attacker, who will either dribble at the keeper or who will try to score with a shot. Make sure you alternate the side of attack.

To be successful in dealing with central approaches and wide approaches, it’s important that the keeper assesses the first touch of the attacker, which should give a hint as to whether they will dribble or shoot. Make sure the keeper advances towards the attacker to narrow the angle and put them under pressure. They should make themselves big, but adopt a low and ready position, staying committed and on their feet until they sense a chance to win the ball.

Look for them to use the full range of tactics and tricks to delay the opponent or force them away from goal – for example, the keeper could feint to dive in order to fool the attacker into showing their hand.

When facing a wide attack, encourage the keeper to make the play predictable by using the touchline to divert the ball out of play if possible.

Alternate these two practice angles in five-minute blocks for 20 minutes.

[1b]

1. The keeper rolls the ball to an attacker and moves forward. As the attacker approaches from wide,
   the keeper should react to the angle

2. The attacker’s first touch will help the keeper tell whether they plan to dribble or shoot

3. Alternate the side of attack changing from one starting cone to another

SAVING AT FEET 3v1

We set up in the same 10yds x 10yds area with three attackers and one goalkeeper, but this time there is no goal. Play starts with the three outfield players passing the ball around the keeper, as shown [2]. The keeper should either try to win the ball by forcing a mistake or divert it out of play. As the practice develops, the three attackers should move around the area to escape the goalkeeper.

This should help the keeper focus their decision-making, so look for them to make the correct technical blocking decision for each situation. They should try to close down the player with the ball and put them under pressure, adopting a low but ready position with their arms down and their hands alongside their lower legs.

The keeper should assess each move by their opponent and look for miscontrol, poor touch, or an incorrect weight of pass, making sure they are patient and stay on their feet until they feel they can win the ball. Also look for them using an upright or spreading block, or for them to threaten the ball carrier with a feint to dive, forcing the ball into tight spaces.

As it’s a tough exercise for the keeper, play for 10 minutes but rest for 30 seconds every three minutes, or play for three interceptions and switch keepers.

[2]

1. The three attackers pass the ball between themselves to keep it away from the keeper

2. The keeper should try to stay on their feet and be patient while trying to force errors

3. When certain they can get the ball, they should commit to an interception

UNDERSTANDING THROUGH-BALLS

We set up on just under a half pitch, placing a goal and a goalkeeper in their normal position at one end and mark out a 10x15yds box between the penalty area and the centre circle. Split the outfield players into a team of four attackers and a team of two defenders, who play a 4v2 in the marked-out box. A recovering defender is in a position that allows the attackers to remain in an onside position [3].

Play starts with the attackers, who pass the ball around the small box to keep it away from the defenders. After three passes, one attacker can break free and attack the goal – but once they leave the box to start their attack, the recovering defender is allowed to run to challenge or to defend the goal behind the keeper.

You can progress this by allowing more than one attacker to break out of the box, so they can combine to attack. This practice can be used with the box in central areas and the recovering defender slightly out wide, as shown, or in a wider area with the recovering defender more central.

Look for your keeper to adopt a good starting position, which is advanced enough to win a heavy or misplaced pass but deep enough not to be chipped.

Communication with the recovering defender is vital, as is decision-making – the keeper must decide whether the defender is best placed to deal with the attacker first or whether they will need to make a positive intervention themselves, either by delaying the attack, saving a shot, spreading, or blocking. A quick decision is imperative as there is a chance the keeper could get to the ball first and rush the attacker. However, if the attacker looks to be in good control of the ball, moving with caution might be a better option.

[3]

1. Four attackers keep the ball from two defenders in the small box. After three passes, one attacker can break free and attack the goal

2. The recovering defender can go when the attacker breaks free

3. The keeper should adopt a good starting position that is advanced enough to win a heavy pass but deep enough not to be chipped

BREAKTHROUGH

This progression encourages attackers to break free in a small-sided game to create 1v1 situations for the goalkeeper to deal with. We set up in an area of 60x40yds with a goal and a goalkeeper at each end. Divide the pitch into three equal sized areas. The outfield players play 6v6 in the central zone. The game is directional so the aim is for teams to score past the opposition keeper [4].

The team in possession must try to play through, around or over the defending team to get one attacking player into a 1v1 situation with the keeper. One attacker can break out of the area as soon as a ball has been played into the final third, and one recovering defender is allowed to go with them to help the keeper.

The goalkeeper must be alert to the danger of a through ball or a shot at any time, and must use good decision making to assess the best way to deal with the developing attack. Look for the keeper to delay or slow the approach of the attacker if needed – they should use a variety of tactics, from spreading and blocking to plunging onto the ball, but above all they should be determined, committed and capable of improvising. They must also stay in communication with their defender.

Play this game for 25 minutes.

[4]

1. Play starts and restarts with the keeper passing to a team-mate in the middle zone

2. Play 6v6 in the centre. The team in possession looks for a chance to play a through-ball out of the area

3. As soon as the through-ball is played, one attacker can break free and run onto the pass to attack

4. One defender is allowed to follow the attacker out of the zone to help the keeper

5. Here the keeper commits to coming out to narrow the angle and they dive to save the shot from the striker