Topics that should be addressed before and will be covered during the 2003 Region I ODP Camp at the University of Rhode Island.
1. Shot stopping:
A. Footwork
B. Handling low, medium & high balls
C. Diving/falling
D. Positioning/angles
2. Crosses/Services into Box/Balls back to Bar:
A. Timing
B. Handling
C. Reading the Serve
D. Footwork
3. Backpass:
A. Receiving technique
B. Passing technique
C. Tactics
D. Communication
4. Breakaways/Through Balls:
A. Decision making
1. Outside of Box (through ball)
a. clearing the ball first time
b. passing to keep possession
2. Inside of Box (breakaway)
a. winning ball out-right
b. 50/50 balls
c. "stalking"
B. Communication
**Distribution can be incorporated into all four topics**
i.e. End each repetition with some sort of distribution.
When incorporating goalkeeper into team training, start the activity with a goalkeeper distribution. Goalkeepers should spend some time either before or after training working on kicking.
1. Shot stopping
Coaching Points:
- Proper set position.
- Using footwork to get hands and body behind the ball.
- Shape of hands and body in relation to the ball.
- Angle of approach
A) Warm-up - Footwork Exercises:
Set up three footwork courses: 10 cones, three yards apart.
Work on shuffling in and out, slalom running, lunging, backward
Slalom, side-to-side, one-footed hopping, two-footed hopping.
B) Goalkeeper in goal, two shooters 20 yards away (5 yds. from each other). Shooter takes a touch and shoots ball at goalkeeper. Goalkeeper makes save and rolls ball to other shooter to touch and hit. To begin with, all shoots are right at goalkeeper or slightly to the side.
1. ground shots
2. mid-section
3. head height
4. shots skipping in
5. Shooters start moving wider for goalkeeper to adjust angle
6. Shooters now attempt to score.
* Idea is to get as many touches on the ball as possible in a 10 - 15 minute period.
C) Two goalkeepers each in a full size goal. Grid size is 40 long x 25 wide. Large supply of balls split into each net and shooters. Shooters divide in half and start 20 yds. from goal on the touchline of the grid. Exercise starts with GK throwing ball out to a shooter who controls, turns and shoots at other goal. GK makes the save and distributes with a throw to the opposite side to attack first GK. If ball goes out of bounds, start with a goal kick.
D) Grid size 50 long x 25 wide. Length is divided into thirds with each end being 15 yds long. Play 3v3 (4v4) in middle zone. Each team defends one goal and attacks the other. Shots must come from inside the middle zone, but attacking team may follow shots looking to finish rebounds. Attacking team may pass back to their goalkeeper to help keep possession, but defending team may pressure the GK on the pass back.
2. Crosses
Coaching Points:
- Catching and boxing techniques.
- Starting position.
- Communication and box organization.
A) Warm-up: 1. Footwork exercises. 2. Two GKs "sling" throwing and catching balls head height, gradually increasing distance.
B) Half field with two full size goals plus servers out wide. Exercise starts with one GK throwing the ball out wide for a server to control, turn, take a few touches and serve into other goal area. Goalkeeper collects serve and distributes with a "sling" throw to opposite side and server to control and serve into first GK. Serves should be varied (driven, lofted, near post, far post, early).
Progression: 1. Add a Defender to each end for GK to work on communication. Defender will either clear ball "AWAY" or supply cover to GK catching serve. 2. Add a Forward. 3. Add a second Forward. 4. Add a second Defender.
C) Same field size. Two servers out wide. Play 5v5 (6v6) with the width being the 18 yd. box. Exercise starts with a GK throwing wide. Server controls and hits a serve in. Once the serve is played in, the Attacking team can keep trying to score. Once GK collects the serve or Defending team wins the ball, they must start their attack by first going wide to a server. Each team defends one goal and attacks the other.
3. Backpass
Points of Emphasis:
- GK's must be comfortable using both feet and develop good field related controlling skills to be used effectively on a backpass.
- GK's must recognize situations in when it is right to maintain possession and when the ball has to be cleared, and where the ball should be cleared.
- GK's must know their "off the line" distance in relation to the ball and time it takes them to retreat to the crossbar in case of a long flighted ball instead of a through ball.
- GK's should not leave the "ball line" until the backpass is made.
- GK's should practice clearing balls with both feet down the line.
- GK's should demand the backpass early if it is necessary.
- When playing the ball out of the back, it is important that the GK gives good information and gives good passing angles for their teammates.
A) Warm-up: 1. Footwork exercises. 2. GK plus two servers, one ball. Servers 20 yds. Away from GK and 20 yds. away from each other. Server plays ball back to GK who changes the angle with first touch and plays ball out to other server, who controls and plays back to GK. Server gradual increase their distance from the GK and vary the backpass (i.e. on ground, air, bouncing).
B) Grid size 45 long x 30 wide. Two full size goals. Play 5v5 plus GK's.
Game #1. One team must keep possession using both GK's while the other team tries to win ball and score on either goal. Play 5 minutes and switch possession team and shooting team.
Game #2. Each team defends a goal. Once a team has scored, they must maintain possession and keep the other team from scoring for 2-3 minutes.
C) Full field divided into thirds. The two ends being 25 yds. long. Play 10 v10 in the middle third. Each team tries to play ball to one GK, get it back and play to other GK. All players must stay in the middle zone. Progressions: 1. Defending team may not challenge GK on backpass. 2. One defender may challenge GK after she touches ball, 3. One defender may enter as soon as ball crosses zone line.
- Teams get a point for each time they can go up and down field without losing possession. If defending team steals ball from GK, they may try to score on the goal for a point and possession of ball at re-start.
4. Breakaways/Through Balls
Coaching Points:
- Proper technique.
- Decision making on if and when to come for ball outside/inside of box.
- Forcing attacker wide.
- Helping to keep possession.
A) Warm-up - 1.Footwork exercises. 2. Goalkeeper and two soccer balls. Each set four yds. to the left and right of GK and three yds. forward. From set position, attack the ball as if dealing with a through ball. 3. Add attacker who stands same distance away from ball as the GK but on the opposite side. When the attacker makes a move to one of the balls, the GK must beat her there or arrive at the same time to make save. Attacker tries to push ball pass the GK.
B) Goalkeeper in goal. Two players 25 yds. from goal. Player A starts with the ball and passes to Player B. Player B passes back to Player A who plays a through ball for Player B. Goalkeeper must decide whether to come and save at feet or "stalk".
C) Grid 80 long x 44 wide divided into thirds with the two ends beings 30 yds. long. Two full size goals with goalkeepers. Play 4v4 in middle grid. Must play teammate into attacking third with a pass. Ball must cross zone line before player may enter zone. Goalkeeper makes save and distributes to his team. Attacking team may play back to their GK to help keep possession, but defending team may challenge GK. Progressions: 1. Only the one attacker may enter. 2. One defender may enter to challenge the attacker. 3. An attacking player may dribble to goal being chased by one defender. Note: teams may shoot from the middle zone in an attempt to score.