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CommunicationRepresentativeTactics

Defensive set piece with marking to organise

Train communication where it decides most: organising marking before a set piece, under a time limit and with attackers moving.

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Load

minutes
12
dives/set
4
Sets and reps
4 × 3
Intensity
Medium

dives per set, per goalkeeper

Microcycle days it fits

MD-3, MD-2

Each bar’s height is that day’s dive ceiling.

Setup

Goalkeepers
1
server
1
outfield player
6

Space: 34 × 20 m

Equipment: Balls, Bibs, Full goal

The coach serves and manages the breaks.

1 steps

Corner or wide free kick, three attackers against three defenders in the box. The goalkeeper has limited time to organise the marking before the server may deliver. After the delivery, they decide to come or stay.

Exercise sequence

Coaching points

  • Organise by priority, not by order: posts first, then the near-post zone, then individual marking.
  • Point and use the name — generic calls like “mark someone” organise nothing.
  • Confirm the call was received before moving to the next; talking into the void is not communicating.
  • The last call before delivery is your own position, so defenders know the space they cannot occupy.

Progressions

  1. Cut organising time to 5 seconds, forcing priorities.
  2. Allow attackers to block, which is what happens in games.
  3. Alternate between corner, wide free kick and central free kick without warning.

Regressions

  1. Unlimited time to organise.
  2. Attackers static until delivery.
  3. Reduce to 2v2 in the box.

Sources · 3

  1. CurriculumRegulamento do Curso UEFA de Treinadores de Guarda-Redes «B», Federação Portuguesa de Futebol
  2. BookAndy Elleray, «Goalkeeping in Football»
  3. CurriculumGoalkeeper Skills: The Complete Technical and Tactical Checklist, LevelUp.soccer