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CrossesRepresentativeTactics

Come-or-stay decision at minimal volume

Confirm trajectory reading and the come-or-stay decision in a few high-quality reps, without the dive or impact volume a normal crossing block demands.

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Load

minutes
8
Intensity
Medium
Sets and reps
2 × 4

Microcycle days it fits

MD

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

Setup

Goalkeepers
1
server
1
outfield player
2

Space: 30 × 16 m

Equipment: Balls, Bibs, Full goal

The coach serves and manages the breaks.

1 steps

A server crosses from one side of the pitch, with one attacker and one defender in the box. The goalkeeper decides between coming for the ball or holding position, with few reps and full recovery between them.

Exercise sequence

Coaching points

  • The decision to come depends on trajectory and distance to the drop point, not the impulse to react to the attacker’s movement.
  • Once committed to coming, commit fully — hesitating halfway is what causes most errors in this action.
  • Call “keeper’s” or “away” with enough lead time for the defender to react.
  • Catch whenever the contest allows it; only punch when pressure or trajectory demand it.

Progressions

  1. Introduce physical contest from an attacker in the box.
  2. Alternate between near and far post without warning.

Regressions

  1. Always announce the type of cross.
  2. Remove the contest, leaving only trajectory reading.

Sources · 2

  1. BookAndy Elleray, «Goalkeeping in Football»
  2. Book«Scientific Approaches to Goalkeeping in Football», Bennion Kearny