Wide Save Shift

Objective

• -Move across goal for shots from wide areas
• -Deal with angle changes quickly
• -Turn saves into accurate distribution

Setup

1. 1Place a full-size goal at one end and two cone shooting lanes wide of it.
2. 2Set two mini goals or passing targets in the opposite half.
3. 3One goalkeeper starts in goal and shooters wait in the lanes.

How to play

1. 1A shooter starts wide and moves the ball before finishing.
2. 2The goalkeeper shifts across the goal and makes the save.
3. 3After the save, the keeper must distribute to a target or mini goal quickly.
4. 4The next shot comes from the other wide lane.
5. 5Rotate the shooter and keeper regularly.

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

• -Being late across goal
• -Saving back into the middle
• -Distributing without scanning