PROGRESSION II
Repetitive practice is important especially for young goalkeepers. Getting accustomed to diving, saving and holding on to the ball, under pressure, is all part of the role and so needs practice.
Catching
The art of catching, using two hands, needs to be perfected - coaches insisting on thumbs behind the ball, hands slightly behind centre of ball (see diagram 1), and eyes always on the ball.
Coaches should work at this technique regularly - players need reminding of the basic skills of catching a football in all conditions.
Goalkeepers can be pressurised by using 3 servers A, B and C who continually throw, or kick, balls at the keeper who has to catch, and return them to the server.
The types of service should be varied, and the servers should come in quick succession.
So A serves, G catches, throws back to A, then B immediately serves to G, so there is no rest between serves.
G must be alert, on his toes, and operating in a fixed area (see diagram 2)
To vary G stands between 2 posts, A and B serve, - both on opposite sides of the goal.
A serves, G saves - then returns to A; G then turns about quickly and faces a serve from B (see diagram 3) moving to G2. G is kept under pressure.
To handle quickly, and slow quick reactions A, B, and C take up positions as in diagram 4.
G in goal, (A) and (C) serves close to the goal line
(A) serves, (B) first time strikes at goal for (G) to save
(B) then faces (C) who saves and (B) then repeats by hitting the ball first time at (G's) goal.
The goal should be about 5 yards in width - (B) about 10 yards out from the target, and trying to vary the height, power, and direction of his shots giving (G) various types of save to make.
Whenever possible (G) should try and catch the ball, coaches insisting that he doesn't spill it - possibly into the path of oncoming attacking players.
If he can't catch it he should always attempt to block or deflect it from the goal using hand, foot or whatever. His speed of reactions in getting behind the ball must be tested.