Save And Cover

Objective

• -Deal with direct free-kick style shots
• -Set a wall and protect the goal
• -React to deflections and rebounds

Setup

1. 1Set a goal and place three or four cones as a wall line.
2. 2One goalkeeper starts in goal and two players stand near the wall area.
3. 3A shooter stands 15 to 20 yards out with balls.

How to play

1. 1The goalkeeper places the wall and gets set behind it.
2. 2The shooter strikes on the coach's call.
3. 3The goalkeeper saves the first shot or reacts to a deflection.
4. 4If the ball rebounds, the keeper must cover it quickly.
5. 5Repeat with different wall sizes and shot angles.

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

• -Leaving the wall poorly set
• -Peeking around the wall too early
• -Switching off after the first shot