Overload 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 38 x 30 yards area.
2. 2Split the group so the attacking side always has one spare player, and park the spare bibs on the halfway cone.
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 spare player joins whichever side has the ball, so the attack always works with a plus-one.
5. 5A goal or completed end action counts double if the spare player touched the ball in the build-up.

Progressions

• +Remove the overload for the last two rounds
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Give the attack two spare players
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Rotate the spare player every 90 seconds
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Getting stuck on the line
• -No communication with defenders
• -Spare player standing still instead of offering an angle