Goalkeeper Commanding the Space Behind the Goal

By: Tony DiCicco

Originally Published in: Attacking Soccer

Purpose

Improving the goalkeeper's ability to organize and control the space behind the defense

Organization

Set up a half-field area. The exercise starts in an area 35 yards (32 m) from goal to the midfield line. Mark two service areas that are 10 yards (9 m) wide on each flank plus a central service area just over midfield. There are six players on each team in the central area. There is a neutral player in each of the three service areas. The keeper is in the goal area.

Procedure

Play starts with one team in possession trying to play a ball over the 35-yard (32 m) line to a teammate for an attempt on goal. The pass may be played from any of the 6+3 players in possession. Offensive or defensive players may not enter the space behind the 35-yard (32 m) line until the pass is made.
Various types of passes may come from any of the three service areas, such as balls played over the top, balls played through the gaps, balls bent behind the defense, or straight balls played toward the goal from servers 2 or 3. The passes into the attacking third need to force decisions from the keeper and should not be played so that the field players always get the first touch.
When the keeper calls for the ball, the strikers can try to score but must avoid all contact. This is important so that the keeper knows she will not be tackled or run into even if she makes a bad decision; of course, this also prevents injuries during training. Also, the coach needs to identify and define the communication requirements and options for the keeper and the defensive players.

Key Points

This is a tactical exercise that will challenge the keeper's decision making, technical ability to clear the ball, and ability to deal with breakaway situations.
One of the key components of this exercise is identifying the communication requirements of the keeper.

Variations

Move the restraining line and servers closer to the goal. This will adjust the keeper's starting position.
Players, including the servers, can shoot directly at goal if the keeper's position is too extended. Ideally, the keeper is in a position where he feels he can get back to his goal line if a shot is taken. However, his body language and momentum are ready to go forward to win the through ball in the penalty area with sound breakaway technique or outside the penalty area with foot skills.
Organize 4v4+2 in the central area with a neutral player in the service areas on both flanks so you have three groups of four that will rotate. Teams try to possess the ball long enough to put a teammate through onto goal. The offside line is the grid line closest to the goal; any player receiving a ball to go to goal must have been in the grid or on the line when the ball was played. Any attacking player, including the plus players or the servers, can play a player through so that the keeper must deal with the through ball or the breakaway situation. Allow any attacking players, including the servers, to shoot (chip the keeper) if the keeper is too extended from the goal line. Start with the defenders not being able to chase in the attacking player and then phase into allowing one attacker and one defender to join the first attacker after the through ball is played. When the ball is dead, always restart from a server on the side.