Goalkeeper Direct Play Drill

By: Tony DiCicco

Originally Published in: Attacking Soccer - Human Kinetics

Purpose
Organizing and training a teams' direct-play strategy

Organization
Set up a full field area. There are 10 players plus a goalkeeper on offense and 10 players plus a goalkeeper on defense. Place a supply of balls in each goal.

Procedure:

1. Start with 11 players on the field. They pass the ball around as if they are pos-sessing the ball out of the back. Then they play back to the keeper, who picks out one of the highest players (for example, a winger in a 1-4-3-3 system).
2. The keeper must play a fairly accurate ball, and as the ball is in flight, all of the team members must move to organize near or in the challenge area so that they will pick up the knockdown (second ball) and attack the opponent's goal. Once the players pick up the knockdown, they attack in a one- or two-touch rhythm and end up with a shot on goal.
3. Now add three defenders in the midfield. Again create possession in the back third and a long direct ball from the keeper accompanied with player movement to get around the challenge area and pick up the knockdown (there are three opponents who are also trying to get it). Continue with a one- or two-touch series for a shot on goal (and even better, a score).
4. Now add three more players in the back and do the same thing. Mix it up so that some balls come to the keeper from the six opponents so that the keeper must use punts, dropkicks, or side volleys as well as balls kicked off the ground. If the keeper has a long throw, that is also an option.
5. Now create an 11v11 environment. The 11 defenders play passive (moving, not stationary) in the beginning. As before, the attacking team starts with possession in the defensive third and then goes to a direct attack initiated by the keeper. Also, start the play with the opponent building an attack and taking a shot on goal. Now, the keeper must play from a punt, dropkick, or side volley (if the keeper possesses a very long throw, that is OK, too).
6. When satisfied, make it a live 11v11 game but with this restriction: Every time the keeper gets the ball, it is a direct service to an advanced player, with player movement to create numbers up around the ball and attacking options once the ball is picked up. These are classic direct-play tactics, but we are using them from the keeper rather than a field player. With everyone on the same page, the percentage of second-ball or knockdown wins after the initial challenge should be high, thus allowing the attacking team to generate some chances on goal. At the end, the game is all in for both teams, with an emphasis on direct play.

Key Points

• The coach should carry a ball to put in play to keep the action going. This activity needs to flow.
• All players need to stay engaged to maintain realism.