Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma - National Soccer ...

Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma4. Smother Save (50/50 ball)Technique - This technique is used when the striker and the goalkeeper are going to get to the ball at the sametime. The smother starts out like a free ball breakaway save. The goalkeeper takes a long step towards the ballto get low to the ground. Hands shoot along the ground to the ball. The elbows should be kept tight to ensurethe ball does not go beyond the hands and arms. The goalkeeper should meet the ball at the same time thestriker does. The goalkeepers hands are behind the ball so the wrists of the goalkeeper are making contactwith the ball. This is not a handling technique. The fingers are together and around the ball so that the wristand fingers smother the shot.Progressions for teaching the technique:Side Lie on the ground:Goalkeeper starts on their side the ball in line with their wrists not their hands. Arms are together handstogether to prevent the ball from going through the hands or arms. Striker who is a step or two away. On thestrikers count if needed the striker and goalkeeper meet the ball at the same time. This is very important thatthe goalkeeper gets their hands to the ball. They are not blocking the ball they are meeting the ball at thesame time as the striker.Kneeling:Same things apply from above. The only difference is the goalkeeper is now starting from a kneeling position.SquattingStanding5. Training Exercise- Two cones about 3-4 yards apart- One ball a yard on the out side of each cone- Goalkeeper starts on one side the offensive player starts on the other side of the cones facing each other.- Striker is trying to play the ball behind the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is trying to smother the ball to preventthat from happening. This is not a blocking exercise the goalkeeper should try and get to the ball at the sametime as the striker.- Once the striker steps past the cone they must go to the ball on that side.6. Game: Smother Game- 2 Teams- Two cones and two soccer balls- The cones are placed at the top of the box- One goalkeeper in goal and the other goalkeeperright behind the cones- The one player from the offensive team starts onthe other side of the cones. They are trying to getthe ball past both goalkeepers.- The goalkeeper next to the cones is trying tosmother the ball while the goalkeeper on goalis trying to save any ball that gets past the firstgoalkeeper.Field Sessions51