Dealing With Crosses
Chicago Fire Juniors West
DEALING WITH CROSSES Activity 1 – Balls from Wide Areas Servers are outside the edge of the 18 yard box with a supply of balls. The serves in are varied and the servers alternate delivery into the area for the goalkeeper to claim. Balls are lofted in and emphasis from the servers is placed upon testing the goalkeeper with inswinging and outswinging crosses to test their ability to read the flight of the ball.
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Watch the flight of the ball Catch at the highest point possible. Decision making (i.e. Catch, punch or deflect) What foot does the goalkeeper take-off on when jumping for high balls?
Activity 2 – Goalie Wars Four servers are outside the edge of the 18 yard box with a supply of balls. On the coaches command, servers alternate delivery into the area for both goalkeepers to claim. The goalkeepers compete to catch or punch the cross. Points are awarded to the goalkeeper who wins the 1-on-one duel in the air.
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Watch the flight of the ball Catch at the highest point possible. Decision making (i.e. Catch, punch or deflect) Comnication – command of the area What foot does the goalkeeper take-off on when jumping for high balls?
Activity 3 – 4v4 with Wide Players Play a 4v4 plus 2 Goalkeepers. Place flank players outside the area. Players inside the area can either shoot or play the ball out wide for a cross into the box. If the goalkeeper gets the ball, they throw to their one of the two attacking flank players. The flank players are encourages to play quick crosses in to test the goalkeepers within the game environment.
• • • • •
Watch the flight of the ball Catch at the highest point possible. Decision making (i.e. Catch, punch or deflect) Comnication – command of the area What foot does the goalkeeper take-off on when jumping for high balls?
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Have the goalkeepers understood the key coaching points fom the previous activity? Re-itterate the points as necessary. Take position behind the goal and to be able to make points to goalkeeper
Activity 4 – Small Sided Game Goalkeeper integrates with the team. Field size is reduced to a half field. Teams play 7v7 without restrictions. The idea is now to see if the goalkeeper has taken onboard the coaching points from the previous activities. Encourage quick decisions. Normal rules apply with corners, throw ins, goal kicks, etc.
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DEALING WITH CROSSES Activity 1 – Balls from Wide Areas Servers are outside the edge of the 18 yard box with a supply of balls. The serves in are varied and the servers alternate delivery into the area for the goalkeeper to claim. Balls are lofted in and emphasis from the servers is placed upon testing the goalkeeper with inswinging and outswinging crosses to test their ability to read the flight of the ball.
• • • •
Watch the flight of the ball Catch at the highest point possible. Decision making (i.e. Catch, punch or deflect) What foot does the goalkeeper take-off on when jumping for high balls?
Activity 2 – Goalie Wars Four servers are outside the edge of the 18 yard box with a supply of balls. On the coaches command, servers alternate delivery into the area for both goalkeepers to claim. The goalkeepers compete to catch or punch the cross. Points are awarded to the goalkeeper who wins the 1-on-one duel in the air.
• • • • •
Watch the flight of the ball Catch at the highest point possible. Decision making (i.e. Catch, punch or deflect) Comnication – command of the area What foot does the goalkeeper take-off on when jumping for high balls?
Activity 3 – 4v4 with Wide Players Play a 4v4 plus 2 Goalkeepers. Place flank players outside the area. Players inside the area can either shoot or play the ball out wide for a cross into the box. If the goalkeeper gets the ball, they throw to their one of the two attacking flank players. The flank players are encourages to play quick crosses in to test the goalkeepers within the game environment.
• • • • •
Watch the flight of the ball Catch at the highest point possible. Decision making (i.e. Catch, punch or deflect) Comnication – command of the area What foot does the goalkeeper take-off on when jumping for high balls?
•
Have the goalkeepers understood the key coaching points fom the previous activity? Re-itterate the points as necessary. Take position behind the goal and to be able to make points to goalkeeper
Activity 4 – Small Sided Game Goalkeeper integrates with the team. Field size is reduced to a half field. Teams play 7v7 without restrictions. The idea is now to see if the goalkeeper has taken onboard the coaching points from the previous activities. Encourage quick decisions. Normal rules apply with corners, throw ins, goal kicks, etc.
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