Quick Throw Links

Objective

• -Use quick throws to start attacks
• -Improve accuracy over short and medium range
• -Link the keeper to team play

Setup

1. 1Place two or three mini goals or cone targets in the far half.
2. 2One goalkeeper starts in a full-size goal.
3. 3Two receivers stand wide and central in front of the keeper.

How to play

1. 1The coach serves a ball for the goalkeeper to catch or collect.
2. 2The goalkeeper immediately looks up and throws to a receiver or target.
3. 3The receiver controls the ball and plays it back to the coach.
4. 4Repeat with different targets and different distances.
5. 5Keep the pattern flowing and quick.

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

• -Launching without looking up
• -Weak release with no step
• -Throwing to a marked player