Wide Channel 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 32 x 26 yards area.
2. 2Mark five-yard channels down both touchlines with flat cones.
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 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

• -Diving in early
• -Getting caught on the goal line
• -Everything funnelling into a crowded middle