Football
Coach Hub

Goalkeeping

Crosses And Claims: Blind Serve

Deal with crosses confidently

Goalkeeping
Crossing
Premium

Crosses And Claims: Blind Serve is a 16-minute goalkeeping drill for 2-10 players, suitable for Under 10 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, full goals, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

Back to drill library
Goalkeeping
Crossing
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Reaction Saves

Duration

16 min

Players

2-10

Pitch size

Penalty area plus flanks

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Crosses And Claims: Blind ServeGKCS123Penalty area plus flanks

Crosses And Claims: Blind Serve — Goalkeeping set-up — serve, save, reset · Penalty area plus flanks

Step 1 of 4Crosses alternate from each flank into different zones.

  1. 1. Crosses alternate from each flank into different zones.
  2. 2. Keeper claims, punches or stays depending on the delivery.
  3. 3. Twelve crosses per set.
  4. 4. The keeper starts facing away or with a screen blocking sight of the strike.
  • Cones mark the area
  • Full goal
  • GK = goalkeeper
  • C = coach serving, S = second server
  • Ball
  • Cones mark the keeper's starting positions
  • Dotted arrow = rotation between repetitions
  • Keeper distributes back to the server
  • Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

  • -Deal with crosses confidently
  • -Decide between claiming and punching
  • -Command the six yard box

Setup

  1. 1Servers on both flanks with balls.
  2. 2Keeper in goal, cones marking start positions.
  3. 3Bibs for a passive attacker.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Crosses alternate from each flank into different zones.
  2. 2Keeper claims, punches or stays depending on the delivery.
  3. 3Twelve crosses per set.
  4. 4The keeper starts facing away or with a screen blocking sight of the strike.

Coaching points

  • -Start position on the back half of the goal
  • -Attack the ball at the highest point
  • -Call 'keeper' loudly and early
  • -Find the ball fast and get the eyes level
  • -Trust the hands on the reaction save

Common mistakes

  • -Getting caught on the line
  • -Late decision and half-committing
  • -Silent in the box

Where this drill fits

Related drills

Pitch set-up: Finishing From Cut-BacksGKCS123Half pitch into one goal
Finishing
Premium

Finishing From Cut-Backs

Finish first time from low cut-backs

20 min 8-18Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 8 to Adults
FinishingCrossingAttacking
Pitch set-up: Crossing & FinishingGKW123Attacking third
Crossing

Crossing & Finishing

Deliver quality crosses from wide areas

20 min 8-18Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 9 to Adults
CrossingFinishingAttacking
Pitch set-up: Playing Out From The BackGKCS123Two thirds of a pitch
Playing Out From The Back

Playing Out From The Back

Build calmly from the keeper under pressure

25 min 10-18Intermediate / Advanced
Under 10 to Adults
Playing Out From The BackPossessionTeam Shape
Pitch set-up: Free Kick & Dead Ball Practice123Attacking third
Set Pieces

Free Kick & Dead Ball Practice

Strike a dead ball with technique and repeatability

15 min 4-16Intermediate / Advanced
Under 10 to Adults
Set PiecesShootingCrossing
Pitch set-up: Goalkeeper Handling & DistributionGKCS123Penalty area
Goalkeeping

Goalkeeper Handling & Distribution

Handle shots and crosses safely

18 min 2-8Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 8 to Adults
GoalkeepingPlaying Out From The BackTechnical Practice
Pitch set-up: Goalkeeper Footwork & AnglesGKCS123Penalty area
Goalkeeping
Premium

Goalkeeper Footwork & Angles

Move efficiently across the goal

15 min 2-6Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 8 to Adults
GoalkeepingSpeed & AgilityTechnical Practice