Wide Channel 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. 2Mark five-yard channels down both touchlines with flat cones.
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 practice is started by a pass into one of the wide channels.
5. 5End actions only count when the ball has travelled through a wide channel first.

Progressions

• +Defender allowed into the channel to make it live
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Channel is a free zone with no defender at all
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch the ball to the far channel before the end action
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Getting stuck on the line
• -No communication with defenders
• -Everything funnelling into a crowded middle