Line Hopping Saves

Objective

• -Warm up feet, legs and hands
• -Link quick movement to a save
• -Prepare for sharper work ahead

Setup

1. 1Place two cone lines about 2 yards apart.
2. 2Goalkeepers work in pairs or small groups.
3. 3The coach stands at one side with balls.

How to play

1. 1The goalkeeper moves side to side across the lines using quick hops or shuffles.
2. 2At the coach's signal, the keeper stops and makes a simple catch or save.
3. 3The next rep begins straight away with a different movement pattern.
4. 4Keep the actions short and lively.
5. 5Finish with a few easier catches to settle.

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

• -Jumping too high
• -Crossing feet without control
• -Rushing the save after movement