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Inswinger to the near post: punch decision

Decide between catching and punching on the inswinger curling to the near post with traffic — combines the spin read with the punch, under the aerial game’s most dangerous ball.

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Load

minutes
12
dives/set
1
Sets and reps
3 × 4
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
2

Space: 22 × 16 m

Equipment: Balls, Full goal, Bibs

The coach serves and manages the breaks.

1 steps

Inswingers to the near post with attackers attacking the ball. The goalkeeper decides early: catch if the ball is clean, or punch with conviction when the ball curls to goal under pressure.

Exercise sequence

Coaching points

  • The inswinger curling to the near post demands an early, aggressive decision — the ball goes to goal on its own.
  • If a clean catch isn’t on in the traffic, punch up and away, never leave the ball alive in the zone.
  • Attack the ball ahead of the goal line, at the highest point, before the attacker reaches it.
  • Announce the decision with a strong voice, so defenders clear the space.

Progressions

  1. Two attackers attacking the near post.
  2. Tenser, faster inswinger.

Regressions

  1. One attacker at the near post.
  2. Higher, slower inswinger.

Sources · 2

  1. BookAndy Elleray, «Goalkeeping in Football»
  2. Coach practiceMeasuring a goalkeeper’s aerial game with Claim Accuracy, Driblab