PositioningAnalyticTechnique
Near-post and far-post position (u12)
Train the positional adjustment between posts as the ball circulates across the width — post coverage was weak at young ages and is what prevents the goal at the forgotten post.
Choose a session and the exercise is added to today’s plan.
Load
- minutes
- 9
- dives/set
- 2
- Sets and reps
- 2 × 6
- 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
- 2
- outfield player
- 0
Space: 16 × 10 m
Equipment: Balls, Full goal, Cones
The coach serves and manages the breaks.
1 steps
Two servers on the flanks. The goalkeeper shuts the near post on the ball side and, when it is switched, shuffles to cover the new near post without uncovering the far post too early.
Exercise sequence
Coaching points
- Always shut the near post on the ball side — it is the most likely and shortest shot.
- When switching sides, shuffle without crossing the feet early, staying ready to save mid-movement.
- Don’t hug the post: a small gap lets you save the near-post shot without uncovering the far post.
- The head tracks the ball steadily throughout the circulation.
Progressions
- Remove the cones and read freely.
- Speed up the ball switch.
Regressions
- Keep the reference cones.
- Slower ball circulation.