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Shot-stoppingRepresentativeTactics

Shot after a feint in tight space

Maintain shot-stopping quality when the attacker changes direction right before shooting, in a tight space where there’s no time to reorganise position between the feint and the shot.

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Load

minutes
10
dives/set
4
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
0
outfield player
1

Space: 12 × 10 m

Equipment: Balls, Full goal

The coach serves and manages the breaks.

2 steps

The attacker advances in tight space, feints once to change the angle, and shoots immediately. The goalkeeper has to track the angle change without losing the base before reacting to the shot.

Exercise sequence

Coaching points

  • The feint changes the shooting angle, not just the attacker’s position — readjust the positioning arc, not just look at where the ball went.
  • Keep the feet active during the feint, ready to react, instead of fixing weight while waiting for the shot.
  • In such tight space, the priority is blocking or parrying over catching — reaction time doesn’t allow the luxury of the most comfortable technique.
  • After the shot, recover immediately — in tight space, the second contact arrives almost without a gap.

Progressions

  1. Allow a second feint before the shot.
  2. Reduce the available space further.

Regressions

  1. Announce the feint’s direction before the rep.
  2. Increase the available space.

Sources · 2

  1. BookAndy Elleray, «65 Goalkeeper Training Exercises: Modern Games-Based Soccer Drills for Shot Stopping, Footwork, Distribution, and More»
  2. BookJoe Luxbacher, «The Soccer Goalkeeper: Techniques, Tactics, Training»