Goalkeeper handling and set position

Setup

1. Keeper starts 1 m off the line in the middle of the goal.
2. Three server cones 10 m out, left, centre and right.
3. S1 has six balls; spare keepers wait beside the goal and swap in.

How it runs

1. Set position first: feet shoulder-width, knees soft, weight on the balls of the feet, hands out in front.
2. From the centre, S1 serves 10 balls: rolls along the ground, then throws to the chest, then above the head.
3. Each round S1 moves to a new cone; GK shuffles across to stay in line with the ball and the middle of the goal, then sets.
4. Swap keepers every 10 balls.

Coaching points

• Be still and set as the ball is released. Small steps before, not during.
• Ground balls: get behind it, legs together, scoop it up into the chest.
• Chest height: a basket, elbows in, scoop it in. Head height and above: a W, thumbs close, hands behind the ball.
• Bring every catch into the chest, then reset.

Common mistakes

• Still moving as the ball is thrown, so the keeper is off balance.
• Fingers pointing at the ball instead of hands behind it.
• Heels down and legs straight, slow to react.