Members Only |
| |
The
NSCAA |
| |
Educating
Coaches |
| |
Coaching Courses |
| |
Awards, Rankings and Results |
| |
Communities |
| |
Membership |
| |
Contact |
|
 |
|
| Dealing with Crosses |
Goalkeepers must make quick decisions in controlling their area
By Bob Barry
Goalkeepers are often judged on their ability to control the goal area and how they deal with crosses. Many factors have to be taken into consideration before a keeper can effectively deal with this type of service. Where do you position yourself in the goal? When do you come out? What if there are players blocking the path to the ball? Should you always try to catch the ball? If not, should you box or deflect? What type of communication is needed with your teammates?
Let’s analyze each of the following areas: position, communication, catch or box, and technique.
POSITION
Flank players who are moving toward the goal line will find themselves in one of three positions. The first diagram shows the flank player in three different areas outside of the box.
In the first position he can strike directly on goal, therefore he is still the primary danger. The keeper must protect the near post while also anticipating a crossed ball (secondary danger). In second position, the flank player has moved to the goal line and no longer has a good shooting angle. The area in front of the goal becomes the primary danger. At this point, the GK moves back toward the middle of the goal, where he can anticipate a crossed ball. In position No. 3, the player with the ball is now moving to the goal, where a ball can be served on the ground or in the air. The GK must now position himself to (1) cut out the cross and (2) not allow the ball to pass between him and the post. A goalkeeper must always determine the primary and secondary dangers on the field.
COMMUNICATION
Goalkeepers will have to communicate with their teammates who are marking opponents or space in front of the goal. Keepers need only to use two verbal commands: “keeper” or “away.” Each is clear and with practice (see below), it can be made clear how the keeper has decided to deal with the ball. It should be clear that support is needed in the goal whenever the GK yells “keeper” and comes off his line to deal with the cross. When the communication is “away,” the keeper has instructed his teammates to clear the ball to safety.
CATCH OR BOX
There are several reasons why a keeper might box instead of catching the ball. Box the ball if (1) there is too much traffic (too many players) in the box to catch the ball safely; (2) the weather has made the ball slippery and difficult to catch; or (3) the GK has an injury which prevents safely catching the ball. Whichever technique you decide to use, remember to box forward if you are moving forward and box backward (over the crossbar) if you are moving backward.
If you are close to the goal, deflect the ball over the crossbar with an open hand.
TECHNIQUE
The keeper must work on the technique of catching air balls, the technique of boxing with two hands (to change direction), and with one hand (to continue the flight of the ball in the same direction). In addition to catching and boxing, the keeper must improve the technique of deflecting the ball with an open hand.
Practice drills
1. Having an understanding of the position in goal, serve balls to flank players who move down the wing and cross balls into the box. The flank players should vary the services — early balls from the edge of the box and others served on or near the goal line. (see second diagram above). The keeper now has the opportunity to work on his timing and technique in dealing with the crossed ball.
2. Add a back defender and repeat the same drill (see first diagram to right). The keeper must now give instructions to his teammates. Remember that the defender must give the keeper support if he leaves his box to deal with the cross.
3. The drill now progresses towards a game-related situation. Add an opponent to strike on goal. The decision to catch or box will become apparent as the keeper now must deal with a striker in the box (see second diagram to right).
4. Add a second striker to create a 2 v.1 situation in the goal mouth.
5. Place two goals 40 x 44 (approximately two penalty boxes apart). Flank players will attack both goals that each will have three attackers and two defenders in each half of the field (see diagram to right). Play begins when the keeper distributes the ball to a flank player who dribbles into the other half and crosses the ball. All players must stay in their respective halves of the field but attackers may position themselves to strike poorly cleared balls back on goal.
Conclusion
Several years ago I attended an English FA International Coaching Course, where the acronym WADA was used when dealing with crossed balls. “W” means wait for the crossed ball to come and don’t leave too early. “A” means analyze the cross to determine whether it is going to the near or far post. “D” means decide if you are going to catch or box and finally “A” means to act. Come late and hard to catch or clear the ball out of the area. This is excellent advice to all keepers when dealing with crosses.
Editor’s note: Bob Barry has long been involved with goalkeeper coaching. He has spent most of his coaching career at Iolani School in Honolulu and was the recipient of the 2008 Robert A. Robinson Award to interscholastic soccer. This article originally appeared in the January-February 2003 issue of Soccer Journal.
|
|
| The Technical Area, NSCAA eNewsletter |
|
|
|
 |
| Soccer Journal - Published seven times a year in print and once annually online, Soccer Journal is the Official Publication of NSCAA and is one of the few publications in the world produced exclusively for soccer coaches. learn more |
| Insurance - Members in the United States automatically receive $1 million in professional liability insurance, providing coverage for most soccer-related activities. learn more |
| Academy Programs - The benchmark of soccer coaching education is the NSCAA Coaching Academy program. learn more |
| Convention - The NSCAA Convention is "The World's Largest Annual Gathering of Soccer Coaches." Held each January learn more |
| Awards and Recognition - The NSCAA administers an outstanding awards and recognition program which includes Coach of the Year, All-America, long-term service and special recognition awards, designed to recognize excellence in soccer, academics and service to the game. learn more |
| Licensed Apparel - A full line of distinctive coaching gear sets you apart as a member of the NSCAA through our licensed apparel program with adidas. learn more |
| For more details, please proceed to the Benefits of NSCAA Membership Page |
|
|
|
|
