Shot-stoppingAnalyticTechnique
Long-range shot with varying trajectory
Work trajectory reading and the catch-or-parry decision on shots from outside the box, where there is time to read but the ball arrives fast.
Choose a session and the exercise is added to today’s plan.
Load
- minutes
- 10
- dives/set
- 6
- Sets and reps
- 3 × 6
- Intensity
- Medium
dives per set, per goalkeeper
Microcycle days it fits
MD+1, MD-4, MD-3, MD-2
Each bar’s height is that day’s dive ceiling.
Setup
- Goalkeepers
- 1
- server
- 1
- outfield player
- 0
Space: 20 × 30 m
Equipment: Balls, Full goal
The coach serves and manages the breaks.
1 steps
A server strikes from 20 to 30 metres, varying trajectory: driven, with curl, or bouncing before the goal. The goalkeeper starts higher, as long-range shots allow.
Exercise sequence
Coaching points
- Higher starting position than for close-range shots — the angle narrows and there is time to drop if it goes over.
- Read the trajectory early and decide catch or parry before the ball reaches 10 metres.
- On a bouncing ball, attack it immediately after the bounce, never wait for it.
- A parry from a long shot goes wide, never forward — the rebound from distance is the next danger.
- A curling ball changes late: keep the body behind it until the last moment.
Progressions
- Increase to 30 metres and demand a faster decision on stepping up or dropping.
- Introduce a bounce before the goal, the hardest trajectory to read.
- Add a player partially obstructing the view.
Regressions
- Reduce to 20 metres with a driven, predictable trajectory.
- Announce the trajectory type before each shot.
Sources · 3
- BookJoe Luxbacher, «The Soccer Goalkeeper: Techniques, Tactics, Training»
- BookAndy Elleray, «Goalkeeping in Football»
- CurriculumGoalkeeper Skills: The Complete Technical and Tactical Checklist, LevelUp.soccer