Cross Court Claim

Objective

• -Attack high balls from wide areas
• -Time the movement to the flight of the ball
• -Decide when to catch or punch

Setup

1. 1Mark a central goal with a wide crossing channel on each side.
2. 2One goalkeeper starts in goal.
3. 3Two servers stand wide with balls, one on each side.

How to play

1. 1A server delivers a cross into the box area.
2. 2The goalkeeper judges the flight and attacks the ball at the highest safe point.
3. 3If the catch is not on, the goalkeeper punches clear with one hand or two.
4. 4The next ball comes from the opposite side.
5. 5Keep the service varied but not overloaded.

Progressions

• +Set Position Check: serve early to shorten the set time
• +Blind Serve: add a deflection off a mannequin
• +Distribution Exit: coach calls the target after the save
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Set Position Check: announce the serve so the keeper can prepare
• -Blind Serve: serve slower and from further out
• -Distribution Exit: one fixed target every time
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Set Position Check — The keeper must be fully set — feet split, hands ready — before every strike.
• -Blind Serve — The keeper starts facing away or with a screen blocking sight of the strike.
• -Distribution Exit — Every save or catch must be followed by a chosen distribution: throw, side-volley or pass to a full-back.
• -Handling Volume — Ten unbroken repetitions per set with clean handling — a drop means the set restarts.
• -1v1 Situation — A live attacker runs onto the ball, so the keeper must decide to close, hold or spread.
• -Cross Claiming — Serves come as crosses from both sides with a passive attacker in the six yard box.
• -Fatigue Finish — Finish each set with three saves in ten seconds to work handling under fatigue.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Waiting on the line too long
• -Punching when a catch is easy
• -Jumping without a clear call