Collapse dive to low balls on both sides
Technical work on the collapse dive for low balls close to the body, alternating sides with a quick recovery back into the set position.
Step 1Caída al primer lado
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Balón raso a un metro del cuerpo: paso lateral y caída con las manos por delante.
Objective
Groove the collapse dive to low balls with correct ground contact and the hands arriving before the body.
Organisation
Goal area. Coach with several balls 9-10 m from the keeper and two cones 1.5 m inside each post marking the landing zone. Keeper in the set position 2 m off the goal line; 1-2 keepers alternate sets of 6-8 dives.
Development
- 1The keeper takes the set position in the middle of the goal, weight balanced and hands in front.
- 2The coach strikes a low ball with the foot into the space between the keeper and the cone, about one metre from the body.
- 3The keeper steps sideways with the leg nearest the ball, bends that knee and collapses onto the side, landing on the hand first and then the hip, never on the elbow.
- 4The ball is secured with the lower hand behind it and the upper hand on top, then pinned against the ground.
- 5The keeper gets up by pushing with the free hand and the bottom leg and resets into the set position.
- 6The next ball is served to the opposite side. Complete 3-4 sets of 6 alternating dives per keeper.
Coaching points4
- Push off with the leg nearest the ball and lead with the hands towards its line.
- Land on the hip and the side of the body, never on the elbow or the stomach.
- The bottom hand goes behind the ball and the top hand secures it from above.
- Recover into the set position actively so the next action can be chained.
Common mistakes3
- Falling backwards or with the hips turned away, losing the line of the ball.
- Hitting the ground with the elbow, which hurts and loses the ball.
- Leading with the head and knees instead of the hands.
Variations3
- Roll the ball by hand for beginners or as a warm-up.
- Add a second ball at mid height immediately after the keeper gets up.
- The coach calls the side at the last moment so the keeper has to read the serve.
Progressions2
- Increase the speed and the distance of the ball from the body until a longer dive is required.
- Chain two consecutive dives to the same side without a pause.
Regressions2
- Start from the knees to isolate ground contact and hand position.
- Reduce the serving distance to 5-6 m and roll the ball.
Tips
- Work on soft grass or with knee pads for the first ground contacts.
- Count the repetitions out loud to keep the intensity up.