Skip to content
← Back to library

Shot-stoppingGameCompetition

Small-sided game with reactive shot-stopping

Test shot-stopping under real match conditions inside the box — deflected balls, a changing angle, no warning about who shoots or when.

Add to a session

Which session should use this exercise?

You do not have any sessions yet. Create the first one to add this exercise.

New session
Choose a session and the exercise is added to today’s plan.

Load

minutes
14
dives/set
6
Sets and reps
3 × 1
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
2
server
0
outfield player
6

Space: 24 × 28 m

Equipment: Balls, Bibs, Full goal

One goalkeeper works while the other serves or observes. Swap after each set.

2 steps

Three attackers against two defenders in and around the box, playing to a full goal. The goalkeeper adjusts position continuously with the ball circulation, with no stoppages between actions.

Exercise sequence

Coaching points

  • The base position opens and closes with every pass — it never sits fixed waiting for the shot.
  • On deflections, the first movement reacts to the new contact, not the previous ball’s predicted path.
  • Communicate marking and cover constantly; in a small-sided game communication never stops between actions.
  • Favour blocking or parrying over catching when attacker density near the goal is high.

Progressions

  1. Restrict attacker entry to the wide channels, forcing more crosses and deflections.
  2. Reduce the space by 20%, compressing reaction time.

Regressions

  1. Increase the space by 20%, giving more reading time.
  2. Reduce to 2 attackers against 2 defenders.

Sources · 2

  1. StudyAdvice from “pracademics” of how to apply ecological dynamics theory to practice design (2023)
  2. Book«Scientific Approaches to Goalkeeping in Football», Bennion Kearny