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Shot-stoppingRepresentativeTactics

Save, rebound and follow-up with two attackers

Save the cross-goal shot away from goal, then save the follow-up: the first save is only over when the ball has left the danger zone.

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Load

minutes
14
dives/set
9
Sets and reps
3 × 6
Intensity
High

dives per set, per goalkeeper

Microcycle days it fits

MD-4, MD-3

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

Setup

Goalkeepers
1
server
1
outfield player
2

Space: 30 × 26 m

Equipment: Balls, Cones, Full goal

The coach serves and manages the breaks.

6 steps

Full goal and penalty area. Two safe zones marked with cones, one on each side, between the post and the corner of the six-yard box (5 m wide by 5.5 m deep). The coach (T) stands centrally at 20 m with 10 balls. A1 starts in the right half-space, 14.5 m out and 9 m wide; A2 in the left half-space, 12 m out and 9 m wide. GK1 starts in the set position, 1 to 1.5 m off the line. Without outfield players, GK2 and GK3 play A1 and A2.

Exercise sequence

Volume and rotation
3 sets of 6 sequences per goalkeeper, about 9 dives per set. With 3 goalkeepers, each does 6 in a row and then rotates to attacker: rest is the time spent attacking. With 1 goalkeeper, 60 to 90 s between sets.
Rules and scoring
GK1 scores 1 point when the first save goes into the safe zone or out of play, and 1 more for saving the follow-up. A catch on the first shot ends the sequence and is worth 1 point. Attackers score 1 per goal; a follow-up goal is worth 2. Most points after 3 sets wins.
Success criteria
In each set, at least 4 of the 6 first saves end in the safe zone or out of play, and GK1 is on their feet with the near post closed before the follow-up in 5 of 6.

What to say

  • «Wide, never back to the middle.»
  • «Up now — the ball is still live.»
  • «Near post closed before the shot.»
  • «Big on the follow-up, don’t go down early.»
  • «Watch who gets to the ball.»

Coaching points

  • On the low shot to the far post, the bottom hand goes behind and outside the ball: that is what sends it wide rather than back into the middle.
  • The set position must be in place when A1 touches the ball. If GK1 is still adjusting at the strike, the dive comes late and short.
  • Get up on the ball side, knee forward and hands already at the waist, to reach the near post in two steps.
  • On a tight-angle follow-up, stay on your feet as long as possible: going down early opens the space over the shoulder.

Progressions

  1. A2 starts from the penalty spot: recovery time is halved.
  2. A1 chooses between shooting and passing to A2, and GK1 has to read the decision before committing.
  3. The coach throws a second ball anywhere in the box, and A1 can attack it too.

Regressions

  1. No A2: after the save, the coach hand-feeds the second ball to the near post.
  2. A1 shoots from 20 m with the inside of the foot, slower and easier to parry.

Sources · 3

  1. StudyInfluence of Dive Direction Uncertainty on Preparatory Posture, Coordination, and Kinematics in Elite Youth GoalkeepersSupports: In elite under-15 goalkeepers, dives with an undeclared side were shorter and coordinated differently from declared ones. That is why the corner is A1’s decision and nobody calls it.
  2. StudyAdvice from “pracademics” of how to apply ecological dynamics theory to practice design (2023)Supports: Recommends tasks that keep game information and adjust constraints rather than dictate technique: the follow-up comes from an attacker chasing the rebound, and safe-zone points steer the save without prescribing it.
  3. StudyComparison of the external load of professional goalkeepers in different weekly training sessions (2024)Supports: In professional goalkeepers, external load was highest on MD+1 and MD-4 and fell towards MD-1. At about 9 dives per set, this drill belongs on MD-4 and MD-3, away from the match.