Through Balls

Through Balls

Objectives

Realistic practice for goalkeepers in judging when and when not to move off the line for through balls; 1 vs 1 work for field players.

Organization

• Set up two groups of field players as above. Alternate the players after each attack to opposite file (left/right).
• Goalkeepers rotate after each shot.
• After an attack, give time to clear the area before serving the ball for next two players.
• Coach always touches ball to side before playing the ball in to get everyone ready to respond.
• Coach/server should vary the service: sometimes biased in favor of goalkeeper, sometimes to a field player.
• Occasionally give a three-way "hospital pass," and a lobbed/bouncing service.

Coaching Points

• Starting position of the goalkeeper critical - off the line to gain yards, but not too far to be exposed to an accurate long chip ball.
• Early decision is desirable but exception to "good goalkeeping rules" can apply here:
  As ball is played in, goalkeeper can move forward two or three paces while still assessing the situation. If the decision is to go, then ground has already been gained. If decision is to stay, the keeper relaxes while skipping and dancing back to original position.
• See section on "Onion Rings" and goalkeeper position when "out of direct" action.
• Good decisions and good techniques for final action-diving at feet to win the ball; spreading and forcing attacker wide; or standing up and reacting to shot.

ABILITIES DEVELOPED	KC's EMPHASIZED
Judgment of how far and how fast to move out, narrowing angle, diving at feet, standing up.	Alert and Alive, Stay On Feet, Shape, Don't Fall Back, React.

Additional Information

Too often "Through Ball" situations are ignored by coaches. Shooting and crossing practices form the bulk of team practices that involve goalkeeping. The judgment required by the goalkeeper in assessing whether to move off the line to narrow the angle, or to go "all the way" - in or outside the penalty box - is arguably the most difficult aspect of goalkeeping. It's even more so than dealing with crosses, which is a severe test of goalkeeping judgment. The perspective of a ball coming directly towards a person is much more trying than getting "a fix" on a ball played across the goal wing areas.

I've often likened the situation to that of being a car driver who pulls out to overtake a slower vehicle when, at the same moment, another car comes around the corner. How far away is the oncoming car? How fast is it traveling? What about the comparative speeds?

Although it may not be identical to a goalkeeping situation, the solution is usually the same: if you are not sure, don't do it! Stay back in a safe position and protect yourself and your goal.

A development of this Through Ball practice is to have players go from one side (the side to which the ball is played). The inside player of the two is the attacker, the outside player is the recovering defender. This is a very realistic situation for all players, and it increases the critical judgment required by the goalkeeper.

Age Suitability

Age	Suitable	Comments
6-11	NO	Young goalkeepers are not ready for this type of practicing yet, and a lack of judgment and technique could result in accidents.
12-15	YES	Excellent practice both for the goalkeeper and for attacker and defender in 1 vs 1 situations.
16+	YES	Apart from the skill practice for both goalkeeper and field players, this activity calls for hard running and persistence for the field player.