Underload 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 32 x 24 yards area.
2. 2Add one extra defender to the working area and mark their start position with a flat 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 attacking group starts a player short, so every entry pass has to be sharp.
5. 5Defenders score a point for every clean turnover; attackers need three clean end actions to win the round.

Progressions

• +Add a second extra defender
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Even the numbers up again
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Attackers get one 'free pass' per round they can call
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Getting stuck on the line
• -No communication with defenders
• -Trying to beat two players instead of releasing early