Breakaway Situations

Objective

• -Handle 1v1 breakaways
• -Time the decision to close or hold
• -Stay big for as long as possible

Setup

1. 1Attacker starting cone thirty yards from goal.
2. 2Keeper on the line, balls at the start cone.
3. 3Cones marking the closing zone.

How to play

1. 1Attacker drives at goal, keeper reacts and defends the breakaway.
2. 2Alternate central and wide starts.
3. 3Eight repetitions with rest.

Progressions

• +Set Position Check: serve early to shorten the set time
• +Blind Serve: add a deflection off a mannequin
• +Distribution Exit: coach calls the target after the save
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Set Position Check: announce the serve so the keeper can prepare
• -Blind Serve: serve slower and from further out
• -Distribution Exit: one fixed target every time
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Set Position Check — The keeper must be fully set — feet split, hands ready — before every strike.
• -Blind Serve — The keeper starts facing away or with a screen blocking sight of the strike.
• -Distribution Exit — Every save or catch must be followed by a chosen distribution: throw, side-volley or pass to a full-back.
• -Handling Volume — Ten unbroken repetitions per set with clean handling — a drop means the set restarts.
• -1v1 Situation — A live attacker runs onto the ball, so the keeper must decide to close, hold or spread.
• -Cross Claiming — Serves come as crosses from both sides with a passive attacker in the six yard box.
• -Fatigue Finish — Finish each set with three saves in ten seconds to work handling under fatigue.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Diving in too early
• -Staying rooted to the line
• -Going to ground on the first touch