Drop step and tip over the crossbar after touching the cone
The keeper sprints out to touch a cone on the edge of the six-yard box and, immediately, the server lofts a ball towards the crossbar: the keeper recovers with a drop step (diagonal step back) and tips it over with the near hand or catches it in front of the line.
Step 1Salida al cono
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El portero sale a sprint a tocar el cono del borde del área de meta.
Objective
Recognise lofted and top-spin balls dropping under the crossbar and master the drop step to recover backwards without turning the back or losing sight of the ball.
Organisation
Full-size goal. Keeper on the goal line, one cone on the edge of the six-yard box. Server with balls at the penalty spot or a little further out. No ball at first, then hand-thrown balls.
Development
- 1Phase 1, no ball: the keeper sprints to touch the cone, performs a drop step to one side (the foot on that side drops back diagonally, the body turns side-on) and returns to goal as fast as possible to touch the crossbar with an overhand parry; alternate sides.
- 2Phase 2, thrown ball: the keeper sprints to touch the cone; as soon as they touch it, the server tosses a lofted ball towards the crossbar.
- 3The keeper reads the flight, drop-steps towards the ball side and retreats diagonally with cross-over steps without losing sight of the ball.
- 4Depending on the height they decide: tip the ball over the bar with the nearest hand (heel of the palm) or catch it in front of the goal line if they get there in time.
- 5Phase 3: the server strikes high, top-spin balls with the feet from 25-30 m that drop just under the bar, first straight on and then from a side angle.
- 66-8 reps per phase, alternating the side of the drop step.
Coaching points4
- The drop step opens the hip towards the ball: never retreat backwards square or with little backward hops.
- Eyes on the ball throughout the retreat; the head leads the movement.
- Tip with the hand nearest the ball, using the heel of the palm to lift it over the bar.
- Decide early: catch in front of the line if possible; otherwise tip it over.
Common mistakes3
- Retreating with backward hops and arriving late and without height.
- Turning the back fully to the ball and losing sight of it.
- Tipping with the far hand, which arrives short and pushes the ball into the goal.
Variations3
- Server calls the side of the drop step before the throw.
- Throw with a bounce first so the ball rises less predictably.
- Add a second, low ball after the tip to work on the recovery.
Progressions2
- Balls struck with the feet from 30 m with top spin and from side angles.
- Start further out (edge of the penalty area) to lengthen the recovery.
Regressions2
- Lower throws so the ball is always caught in front of the line.
- Shorter start: the keeper begins 2-3 m off the line without touching the cone.
Tips
- Work without a ball first until the drop step is automatic on both sides.
- Mark the reference point on the bar with tape or a pole for the tip.