Pressure Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread

Objective

• -Deal with strikers running through on goal
• -Time the moment to close the angle
• -Make a big, safe blocking shape

Setup

1. 1A goal with an attacker start cone 25 yards out in a 24 x 18 yards area.
2. 2Position a recovering defender behind each working player, starting two yards back.
3. 3Balls with the attackers.

How to play

1. 1Attacker runs onto a ball and drives at goal.
2. 2The keeper closes the angle then sets before the strike.
3. 3Any rebound stays live until the ball leaves the area.
4. 4The defender is released the moment the ball leaves the server's foot.
5. 5The working player scores by completing the action before pressure arrives; the defender scores by blocking it.

Progressions

• +Defender starts level rather than behind
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Defender presses at jogging pace only
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two defenders alternate so pressure is constant
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Diving in early
• -Getting caught on the goal line
• -Facing your own goal and getting trapped by the press