Organization:

Goalkeeper in the goal, other goalkeepers with ball in hands at a corner of the goal box. The coach stands at the opposite corner of the goal box.  The goalkeeper throws the ball, overhand to the coach and moves towards the goalkeeper in the goal to create some pressure. The coach throws a high ball and the goalkeeper intercepts the ball. The goalkeepers takes some steps and distributes the ball into one of the two goals. Goalkeepers rotate positions. 

Goal:

Improve dealing with a high ball under pressure and distribution skills.  

Equipment:

Balls, cones, large and small goals. 

Coaching Points:

Catching High Balls:

• Recognize the flight of the ball.

• Keep eyes on the ball.

• Hands start at the hips, move towards the ball and make the last step before the jump large. 

• When the ball comes from the left, bring up right knee. When the ball comes from the right, bring up the left knee. 

• Reach out for the ball and catch the ball at the highest point. Stretch out arms.

• On catch, hands behind and on side of the ball, fingertips on top of the ball. 

• After the catch keep the ball above the head or bring the ball to the chest and enclose and secure it.

Communication:

• Call out 'KEEPER' when going for the cross and high ball. 

Distribution:

• Rolling the ball: Make the last step big, tuck ball in wrist and bring hand and ball far back and step forward with opposite foot. When releasing the ball, the hand should almost touch the ground. Keep the roll flat, no bounces. After the release the hand should point to the target. 

• Passing the ball: Pass the ball with the inside or top of the into the small goal. When passing through the air, get the foot under the ball. When passing over the ground pass the ball in the heart.  Plant standing foot into the right position next or behind the ball. 

• Throwing the ball: Tuck the ball in the wrist, bring arm backwards and step forward with opposite foot. Bring stretched arm forward, do not bend elbow, but keep arm straight. Don't throw the ball like in baseball. Release the ball at the right moment: keep ball fairly straight, no big loop through the air. Finish the throw with throwing hand pointing to the target.   

Positioning:

• The position of the goalkeeper always depends on the position of the ball and the opponent. Also read the body language of the player. That will tell the goalkeeper a lot about the intentions of the player. 

• The goalkeeper should always try to be positioned on the imaginary line that runs from the center of the goal to the ball. When the ball moves, the goalie moves, but always keeping that imaginary line between their feet. 

• In most cases, the goalkeeper should be positioned  in front of the goal to make the goal ‘smaller’. But the goalkeeper always has the feeling that they cannot be chipped. 

• With crosses, the goalkeeper should always have the feeling that both top corners are covered and that the goalkeeper can get to the ball when the ball gets played there. 

• Recognize the path of the cross before moving. Attack the ball, but don’t move forward too early. It’s much easier to quickly go forward, but more difficult to move quickly backwards.