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1v1RepresentativeTechnique

Making yourself big on the frontal engagement (u14)

Occupy maximum goal with the body on the frontal engagement, delaying the dive to the last instant — making yourself big was a thin topic and is what steals the goal from the isolated attacker.

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Load

minutes
11
dives/set
3
Sets and reps
3 × 4
Intensity
High

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
1

Space: 14 × 16 m

Equipment: Balls, Full goal

The coach serves and manages the breaks.

2 steps

The attacker receives and drives at goal frontally. The goalkeeper comes to close the space, makes themselves big and waits for the attacker’s touch before committing.

Exercise sequence

Coaching points

  • Come to close the space while the ball is away from the foot; on arriving close, make yourself big and wait.
  • Spread with arms and legs to cover maximum goal, staying on the feet as long as possible.
  • Don’t dive first — the goalkeeper who dives early is beaten with a touch; patience wins the duel.
  • The hands stay low and forward, because most shots on the engagement are along the ground.

Progressions

  1. Attacker arriving from distance with more options.
  2. Reduce the decision time.

Regressions

  1. Attacker already close, immediate slower decision.
  2. Lower the dribbling speed.

Sources · 2

  1. BookAndy Elleray, «Goalkeeping in Football»
  2. BookLeonhard Zeilinger e Franz Gruber, «The Ultimate Guide to Goalkeeper Training: Develop Motor Skills, Technique, Tactics, and Mindset» (Meyer & Meyer Sport, 2025), ISBN 9781782552918