Low Ball Box

Objective

• -Deal with low balls cleanly
• -Use good body shape behind the ball
• -Practise safe gathers and smothers

Setup

1. 1Mark out a square area with cones.
2. 2One goalkeeper works in the middle.
3. 3Two to four players stand around the edge with balls at their feet.

How to play

1. 1Players roll firm low balls across the square to the goalkeeper.
2. 2The goalkeeper moves across, gets behind the ball and gathers it cleanly.
3. 3After each catch, the goalkeeper sets the ball down and returns to the middle.
4. 4Add a second ball only when the first is under control.
5. 5Keep all rolls along the ground and avoid hard shots.

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

• -Stooping from a standing start
• -Hands too close to the feet
• -Not protecting the ball after the catch