Set, save, recover: second ball after the parry
Server passes to the striker on the 16 m line, low shot at the corner gates and, after four clean reps, a second ball: the keeper must arrive set, save, parry away from the centre and regain his feet for the second action.
El 10 pasa al 9; mientras viaja el balón, el portero da pequeños pasos para quedar en la línea del balón y llegar asentado.
Objective
Set the feet during the pass, execute the low save with hands leading, direct the parry away from the central zone and recover to a new set position before the second shot.
Organisation
Full-size goal; working zone of 30x36 m around the penalty area. Shot line marked 15.5-16 m from goal with two start cones around the striker so he has to arrive to the ball. Two low-corner target gates 1.5 m inside each post. Keeper 1 m off the goal line. Striker (9) central on the shot line, server (10) 6-8 m diagonally behind and second server (11) waiting with a ball. Spare balls always with the servers, never behind the keeper.
Development
- 1The keeper sets 1 m off the line with weight on the balls of the feet, hands in front and eyes on the server; the coach confirms he is square to the ball before service.
- 2No. 10 plays a crisp pass to No. 9; as the ball travels the keeper makes small adjustment steps to stay on the ball line and arrive set as No. 9 shapes to strike.
- 3No. 9 shoots first time or after one touch at the low gates; the keeper decides to hold, smother or parry. A parry back into No. 9's path counts as an incomplete save.
- 4After the low save he lands through the side of the body, presents the ball to the coach if held or calls 'away!' and gets to his feet immediately.
- 5Rotation: No. 9 collects balls, No. 10 follows his pass to become the shooter and No. 11 is the next server.
- 6After four clean reps add the second action: the coach calls 'hold!' (the keeper presents the secured ball) or 'rebound!' (the keeper recovers to a new set and faces No. 11's shot). The second ball is only released once the keeper is up and balanced. Four sets of four single shots, then two sets of four double actions, 45-60 s work to 30-45 s rest.
Coaching points4
- Small feet, arrive set: feet hip-width apart, heels light, chest slightly forward at the instant of the strike.
- Nose behind the ball: move in small steps and never dive from an off-line or crossed-foot position.
- Hands lead, body follows: near hand reaches the ball first, top hand protects above, body lands behind the ball line.
- Hold if you can, parry wide if you cannot: a firm deflection outside the post beats a soft touch to the centre.
Common mistakes3
- Flat-footed at the strike because the keeper waits for the shot instead of preparing during the pass.
- Collapsing backwards from fear of the pace or from starting too deep.
- Parrying into the middle through soft wrists or an unchosen deflection.
Variations3
- Mark a 4 m central rebound box: any parry landing inside scores for the striker.
- Allow No. 9 one touch either side of the central cone and demand a finish across the keeper to change the angle.
- Live decision: No. 10 chooses an immediate shot, a square pass to No. 11 or a disguised low pass, and the keeper must call and re-angle.
Progressions2
- Second ball from No. 11 arriving from a different angle to the first shot.
- Add a rebound runner inside the box to punish parries into the centre.
Regressions2
- Replace the pass with a visible strike from the coach at 10-12 m and 60-70% pace.
- One action per rep and a 12-14 m shot line for U12-U14.
Tips
- Coach from the side of the goal, not behind it, and give one technical cue per block.
- Close by asking the keeper which cue made the best save possible.