Drills / Team practice

1v1 with the goalkeeper

The attacker is through on goal with only the keeper to beat. Decide early: shoot, or take it round.

Players
4 to 12, plus a goalkeeper
Space
Half of a 7v7 pitch
Kit
A goal, balls, 4 cones
Time
12 minutes
Age
Under-9s and older
GKA
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Set up

  • Attackers queue at halfway with a ball each. One goalkeeper in goal.
  • Cones mark where the run starts.

How it works

  1. The attacker dribbles at goal.
  2. The keeper comes out to narrow the angle.
  3. The attacker must finish within eight seconds.
  4. Keepers swap every eight goes, if you have more than one.

What to work on

  • Attacker: big touches early when you have space, small touches as the keeper gets close.
  • Attacker: look at the keeper. If they stand up, shoot low past them. If they rush out and go down, go round.
  • Keeper: come off your line quickly while the ball is far from the attacker's foot, then stop and get set as they are about to shoot.
  • Keeper: stay big and on your feet as long as you can.

Easier

A smaller goal and a closer start for the attacker.

Harder

A defender chases from 3 m behind.

Skills this works on: striking with the laces. Each one has a close-up drawing of the feet.

Especially good for: striker.

Safety. Teach keepers to go down sideways, hands first, never head-first at an attacker's feet. Attackers must not shoot at the keeper from point-blank range.

Planning a whole session? The session planner builds one around this kind of practice.

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