PositioningAnalyticTechnique
Reading the bisector at tight angles
Correct positioning at very tight angles near the byline, where the most common error is applying the same bisector logic as a frontal angle — leaving too much space at the near post.
Choose a session and the exercise is added to today’s plan.
Load
- minutes
- 8
- dives/set
- 1
- Sets and reps
- 3 × 6
- Intensity
- Medium
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
- 0
Space: 18 × 12 m
Equipment: Balls, Full goal
The coach serves and manages the breaks.
1 steps
A server shoots from a very tight angle, almost at the byline. The goalkeeper adjusts position specifically for this angle, closing the near post more aggressively than for a frontal shot.
Exercise sequence
Coaching points
- At a tight angle, the priority shifts: closing the near post outweighs covering the centre of the goal.
- Position sits slightly deeper at these angles, giving extra time to react to a cutback pass to the centre.
- Don’t mechanically copy the frontal-shot bisector — the angle changes the whole geometry, not just the shot position.
- If the attacker passes back instead of shooting, the position already set for the tight angle has to readjust immediately.
Progressions
- Reduce the angle further, bringing the server closer to the byline.
- Add a second attacker receiving a cutback pass, testing the readjustment.
Regressions
- Increase the angle, moving closer to a frontal shot.
- Announce whether the server will shoot or pass before the rep.
Sources · 2
- BookAndy Elleray, «65 Goalkeeper Training Exercises: Modern Games-Based Soccer Drills for Shot Stopping, Footwork, Distribution, and More»
- BookJoe Luxbacher, «The Soccer Goalkeeper: Techniques, Tactics, Training»