Category: Goalkeeping
Type: Drill
HANDLING THE SHORT HOP
One of the most difficult saves for any keeper is the ball that bounces within the last yard before the keeper and is out of kick range but too close for a true dive. This is also a very difficult ball to serve in a "shot like" manner. Kicking the ball from the edge of the box with the intent of hitting this small area with power and enough consistency for good training is also very difficult.
The thrown ball is more consistent but the angle is wrong and for most the power is to low.
Since the reaction and body movement is what needs to be trained a different ball can be used.
For this training I use tennis balls and a tennis racket. (This does require some tennis skill but not a great deal.)
I stand at a distance of about 20 yards from goal and drop the tennis balls so I hit low forehand and backhand drives. I adjust the power for the skill of the keeper. The balls are delivered low and should bounce in the required area.
Remember, keepers can go up much faster than they can go down. The keeper is to start low (Deep knee bend.) about 3 yards from the goal line and use the palm of the ball side hand to turn the ball to the outside of the goal.
Proper starting position is important as is correct recovery. To train these with this drill first make sure that the keeper is not standing with their feet too wide. The feet should be slightly less than shoulder width apart most of the time. Too wide a stance robs the keeper of quickness. They should be slightly forward on their toes with a reasonable knee bend so that the hands, hanging free are at least half way between the knee and ground. This is not a static position but is just a position of comfort that the keeper should drop into before the shot. Watch to be sure that they do NOT drop back on their heals.
For the short hop shot the keeper should NOT step toward the ball (Unless that is required to reach it.) rather they should push with the foot farthest from the ball while allowing the near leg to "fold" under their body. The ball side hand must be purposely pushed at the ground to deflect the ball and the other hand should be pushed across the body to cover the unexpected high bounce and to trap the ball if possible.
Deliver the tennis balls at a rate requiring the keeper to work hard and watch the form for problems and correct as soon as the problems appear. When the keeper tires give them a short break (Use that break to gather the tennis ball.)
Work this in sets. I usually use three sets of 20-30 balls for beginning keepers and up to 5 of 30-40 balls for advanced.
Since the tennis balls can be delivered with good accuracy they can be used for many types of training the only thing to remember is to start and finish every session with work with a real soccer ball.
Jim Turpin
USSF D
Hamilton Futbol Club U13B U10G (& GOalKeepers)
Submitted by: Jim Turpin
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