Shooting angles with servers in an arc on the edge of the box
Six to eight servers spread in an arc along the edge of the penalty area, each with a ball. In turn they push the ball left, right or straight and shoot; the keeper adjusts with lateral steps without crossing the feet and sets before the shot.
El servidor central toca el balón a un lado; el portero se desplaza lateralmente sin cruzar los pies y asienta.
Objective
Adjust positioning according to the position of the ball, staying between ball and goal with hips facing the ball and feet set before every shot.
Organisation
Full-size goal with one keeper. Six to eight servers spread in an arc across the outer edge of the penalty area and the D, each with a ball. Approximate space 20x30 m. The order of the shots is fixed by the coach at first (from one side to the other) and then becomes random.
Development
- 1The keeper takes a set position referenced to the first server.
- 2The server pushes the ball left, right or straight and shoots with the second touch.
- 3While the ball moves with the first touch, the keeper shuffles with short lateral steps, never crossing the feet, until he is between the ball and the centre of the goal with hips facing the ball.
- 4He sets his feet just before the strike, reacts to the shot and catches or parries.
- 5Without a pause he locates the next server and adjusts for the next shot; working round the arc forces long and short adjustments.
- 6Sets of one full lap of the arc (6-8 shots) with a short rest; from the third set the coach points to servers at random.
Coaching points4
- Quick, short lateral steps without crossing the feet; body always between ball and goal.
- Hips and shoulders facing the ball, not the goal.
- Feet set at the moment of the strike: better to arrive slightly early than to be moving during the shot.
- Clean catch with correct hand shape; if not possible, parry away from the centre.
Common mistakes3
- Crossing the feet while shuffling and losing balance at the shot.
- Positioning off the server rather than off the ball after the first touch.
- Dropping back towards the goal line instead of holding the narrowing distance.
Variations3
- Servers pass the ball around the arc and whoever the coach names shoots.
- Low shots only in one set and mid-height in the next.
- Servers at different distances (18 and 25 m) to vary the starting position.
Progressions2
- The server may shoot first time without moving the ball.
- Two consecutive servers on opposite sides one second apart.
Regressions2
- Servers shoot in a fixed order from left to right and announce the side of the first touch.
- Reduce to four central servers and half-power shots.
Tips
- Place the servers on a true arc (same distance from goal) so the work is about angle, not depth.
- One ball per server so the tempo never drops.