CONTROL SHOOTING PASSING DRIBBLING TURNING HEADING CREATE SPACE INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING SUPPORT PLAY GOALKEEPING CROSSING TACKLING THE THROW IN ATTACKING SET PLAYS DEFENDING SET PLAYS THE FREE KICK

THROWING THE BALL

The change of rule which allows goalkeepers once they have possession to run with the ball across the penalty area has speeded up the game quite noticeably.

Furthermore, it has also meant that goalkeepers can set up counter attacks very quickly - so they need to be accurate with their distribution.

In this section we will deal with throwing the ball - As a generality it should be an accurate method of distribution and also a quicker method.

Distance of course will vary - young players obviously possessing less physical strength will not throw very far - but they should not be discouraged from delivering the ball by hand.

The main methods of release are:

Rolling the ball out (short distance)

In practice very similar to bowling on a bowling green, the ball being released from an open palmed hand along the floor - generally in front of a team mate ensuring the pace of the roll is exactly right for the player to set up the play. Accuracy shouldn't be a problem here as this method is only used for short distances - under 15 metres. Practice, to gauge the right weight of the rolled out ball, is needed. Inaccuracy or a poor delivery can leave the goalkeeper and other defenders stranded should their opponents gain possession.

The overarm throw (long distance)
Body sideways on, legs generally apart the front arm pointing towards the direction of the throw, the other arm straight behind the head and shoulders. This time the ball is delivered with an action that is similar to a cricketer bowling, and it does allow throws from the penalty area to reach the halfway line. It isn't as easy to remain accurate, - so practice is needed.

Throwing from mid body height
This time the ball is held just below shoulder height, in the palm of the hand. The throwing hand comes back before a swift delivery, projecting the ball forward. The real strength of this method is the speed of delivery and also the accuracy up to 20 metres, so that attack can be set up quickly. Goalkeepers should remember.

Practice 1 and 2

Organisation

An area 20 metres square -

2 goalkeepers
2 outfield players
1 football

Goalkeeper GB rolls the ball out to team-mate B who shoots at Goalkeeper GA (1st time shot if possible). GA then must try and save the shot (catching the ball if possible) and then roll it out quickly to A who repeats the process by shooting at GB.

To ensure a tidy practice the coach should insist an accuracy of shooting. Both B & A should be made to fetch the ball if they miss the target - the coach also can award points to B and A (who would compete against each other) each time they hit the target.

The coach must insist on accuracy in the roll outs at every single opportunity.

GA must try and hold the shot and then deliver the ball by throwing it to A who is almost 20 metres away.

He must us the throw from just above waist height practising the sharp movement projecting the ball forward quickly (palm of hand open behind the ball, and the shoulder muscles used to deliver some pace on the ball).

The ball should retain it's waist high trajectory until it arrives just in front of A (who controls and passes it to GB).

Players can be rotated in both practices.

3 players,
goalkeeper G & 2
outfield men A and B.

G must be made to react quickly once he has caught the ball and despite the length of throw he must still work at accuracy. B can manoeuvre his position so as to vary the distance required in the throw out by G.

B and A can reverse roles, and they can also vary the type of service into G's penalty area.

Goalkeepers will appreciate they need good arm and shoulder muscles to improve distance and speed of any throw and they should look at special exercises to develop these muscles.