Set, Move, Catch

Objective

• -Get the hands and feet working together
• -Build ready position and balance
• -Raise focus before the main session

Setup

1. 1Mark out a 20 x 20 yards square with cones.
2. 2One goalkeeper works in the middle.
3. 3The rest of the players stand around the outside with a ball each.

How to play

1. 1The outside players roll or throw gentle catches to the goalkeeper.
2. 2After each catch, the goalkeeper shuffles to a new cone and resets.
3. 3The coach calls the next action, such as scoop, catch at chest height or collect low.
4. 4Rotate the goalkeeper after a short spell so everyone gets a go.
5. 5Keep the pace smooth and the service varied but safe.

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

• -Standing flat-footed
• -Catching too late
• -Letting elbows flare out