CONTROL SHOOTING PASSING DRIBBLING TURNING HEADING CREATE SPACE INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING SUPPORT PLAY GOALKEEPING CROSSING TACKLING THE THROW IN ATTACKING SET PLAYS DEFENDING SET PLAYS THE FREE KICK

DEALING WITH KICKED CLEARANCES

In an earlier session we dealt with goalkeepers clearing the ball from a back pass, and practices were set to assist the goalkeeper in becoming better equipped in using his feet to clear his lines.

But there are other occasions (goal kicks) which need to be practised both from the ground, - and volleyed or half-volleyed from the hands.

Generally, distance kicking is involved and this requires leg strength (particularly in the thigh muscles) and this needs to be developed before too much intensive practice is carried out.

Exercises for this are: -

(a) A player to carry another player (of similar weight) in the fireman's lift for around 30 metres
(b) Jumping (on the spot) with knees raised high on to the chest every alternative jump
(c) Step-ups on to a chair, or bench, (ideally) repetitive for around 90 seconds
(d) Feet apart (slightly) arms above head holding a manageable weight (coaches can adjust depending on age and strength of the players. Their knees half bent slowly (not completely) then straighten slowly. Usually 10 repeats, before putting weight down.

THERE ARE OTHER EXERCISES BUT THESE GIVE AN INTRODUCTION WHICH WILL HELP DEVELOP THIGH MUSCLES WHICH (with the right technique will improve kicking, - especially from a dead ball kick)

Practice 1 - (Clearing a stationary football - dead ball kick)

Straightforward, the goalkeeper places the ball on the 6-yard line and clears to a target area.

Distance will depend on the age of the player involved but coaches should insist on a few basic points.

(1) As the goalkeeper runs to the ball he is comfortable with the angle of approach. Clearly this is important in the direction he is trying to achieve.
(2) Once he nears the ball he must keep his eyes fixed finally on the ball not on the target!!
(3) On reaching the ball the non-kicking foot is placed around 6 inches from the ball pointing in the direction the kick is aimed. To keep the ball low in trajectory the non-kicking foot is placed in a further forward position, conversely if the kick is to be lofted then the non-kicking foot is slightly withdrawn behind the ball.
(4) In the kicking foot, the swing is full from the hip with the knee bent, and then projected forward to contact the ball keeping the foot downwards so that the front of the foot contacts the ball (diagram 1)

NB. At the point of contact the touch leans slightly backward, the area of the side of the non-kicking foot is swung forward, while the other is held slightly behind the body so as to balance.

CONCENTRATION IS IMPORTANT, COACHES INSISTING ON THE RIGHT ANGLE OF APPROACH, EYES ON THE BALL AND A GOOD FOLLOW THROUGH ONCE CONTACT WITH THE BALL HAS BEEN MADE.

Practice 2 - (Clearing from the hands - a dropped ball volleyed for distance)

When clearing from the hands i.e. a dropped ball, the goalkeeper should start by letting the ball bounce once, before clearing - to a colleague or against a wall.

To progress he drops the ball from around midriff then volleys the ball forward to a short distance to get the technique of eyes on the ball, contact with the front of the foot, and a good follow through exactly right.

GETTING THIS TECHNIQUE IS ESSENTIAL (OVER A SHORT DISTANCE) BEFORE ANY PROGRESSION IS ATTEMPTED.

Once this has been attained then coaches could work on accuracy and distance using the practice in diagram 2.

Coaches (or players) feed the ball in, goalkeeper (G) catches the ball runs out and volleys into one of the target areas - designated by the coach.

Short of the halfway line, the goalkeeper should be volleying for real accuracy - in target areas 1, 2 and 3.

Anything beyond that the coach should insist on height and distance clearing, sometimes aiming for a speed of clearance - so that when the goalkeeper has caught the service he is given 5 seconds to clear from his hands.