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

CONDITIONED GAMES - FOR GOALKEEPERS

Conditioned games or practices are devised in order to emphasise the use of a particular skill or phase of play.

First introduced by the late Sir Walter Winterbottom (the FA's former Director of Coaching) they give players the opportunity to concentrate on a relevant skill in their role, while under game conditions and pressure.

It is up to the coach to instruct the players on the way he wants the game regulated, so that players can concentrate on a particular aspect of the game.

Once the conditioned game has started the normal rules of football apply with the players repeatedly trying to improve and gaining confidence in a particular skill.

There are many examples of the way a game can be conditioned and they will be dealt with in the days ahead, but in this session we will look to work goalkeepers.

TEAMS MUST BE ORGANISED EITHER in a full sized game or in a small side game e.g. 5 against 5 with a goalkeeper in both teams (defending a full sized goal)

COACHES CAN ALTER THE SIZE OF THE PITCH TO THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS AVAILABLE. E.g. with 12 players (6 v 6) the area can be lengthened to 45 metres x 25 metres, OR with 8 players to 30m x 15m.

So for goalkeepers conditioned games can be: -

(1) Goalkeeper has to kick the ball out on all clearances OR

(2) Goalkeeper has to throw the ball out on all clearances OR

(3) Goalkeepers must clear to the farthest player OR

(4) Goalkeepers must clear to the nearest player

(5) Once in possession the goalkeeper has only 5 seconds to clear the ball

(6) Goalkeepers when saving should try and catch/hold on to the ball.