Counter Goalkeeper Cross Collection

Objective

• -Judge the flight of a cross and claim it
• -Communicate clearly with defenders
• -Decide between catching, punching and staying

Setup

1. 1A goal with crossing stations on both flanks in a 40 x 32 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3Balls at both crossing stations, cones marking the six-yard box.

How to play

1. 1Wide server delivers a cross into the box.
2. 2The keeper calls early and either claims or punches clear.
3. 3Add two attackers in the box for the last block.
4. 4The team in possession starts each rep in their own half and must build forwards.
5. 5Turnovers earn a direct counter at the mini goals worth two points.

Progressions

• +Counter must be finished inside five seconds
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Award the counter goal for simply carrying over halfway
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Swap the counter goals for a dribble-through gate
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Getting stuck on the line
• -No communication with defenders
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on