Scoop save of ground balls with sprint and lateral shuffle
5x10 m grid: the keeper sprints up the outside, gets set and scoops a rolled ground ball from the coach; then backpedals down the side and shuffles across the end line to repeat on the other side.
Step 1Sprint
1 / 3
El portero sube a sprint por fuera del lateral y se coloca en posición base.
Objective
Combine fast movement with the secure collection of ground balls (scoop technique) while keeping the hips facing the ball at all times.
Organisation
5x10 m grid marked with four cones. The keeper starts at a bottom corner, outside the grid. The coach with a supply of balls stands 5 m beyond the top end.
Development
- 1On command, the keeper sprints up the outside of the grid to the top corner.
- 2On arrival they stop and take up the ready position: knees bent, weight on the balls of the feet, hands up and eyes on the ball.
- 3The coach rolls a ground ball straight at the keeper, who scoops it (one knee down, hands together behind the ball forming a ramp) and secures it into the chest.
- 4The keeper returns the ball to the coach by hand.
- 5They backpedal down the same side to the bottom line.
- 6They shuffle sideways along the 5 m end line to the other corner without crossing the feet.
- 7Repeat the sequence up the other side. Sets of 4-6 reps with full recovery between sets.
Coaching points4
- Hips facing the coach at all times, including while backpedalling and shuffling.
- Never cross the feet when shuffling.
- Get into the ready position quickly after the sprint: stop first, then hands.
- Body behind the ball: hands are the first barrier, the body the second.
Common mistakes3
- Arriving at the top and receiving while still moving, without setting.
- Legs too wide in the scoop, leaving a gap between the knees.
- Backpedalling while looking at the ground and losing sight of the coach.
Variations3
- Roll balls with a slight skip just before they reach the keeper.
- Direct balls at shin or knee height to demand a more precise collection.
- Two keepers alternating sides for continuous tempo.
Progressions2
- Harder balls served slightly away from the body.
- Add a second, mid-height ball after the ground collection.
Regressions2
- Shrink the grid to 5x6 m and roll the ball slowly.
- Remove the sprint: shuffle and scoop only.
Tips
- Keep the ball bag next to the coach so the rhythm never breaks.
- Cue the scoop with three words: hands together, ramp, chest.