Six Shot Stop

Objectives

To practice the diving and recovery techniques involved in shots on goal.

Organization

• Coach stands approximately 5-6 yards from the goal.
• Coach has one ball in hand and 2 or 3 others close by.
• The coach simulates shots at goal by rolling to the side; lobbing over the head; throwing ball downwards to replicate a downwards header; but always giving the keeper a chance to save.
• If the keeper misses the ball, or pushes the shot away or over the bar, coach picks up another ball while keeper is recovering back to feet.
• When keeper catches the ball - this is most important - keeper must first throw the ball back to the server before doing anything else, and use momentum of the throw to aid the recovery back to the Alert and Alive position.

Coaching Points

• Must dive on side.
• Must keep lower leg trailing and bring upper knee in (and not upwards) across body.
• Throw ball back to server and pump upper knee back straight to aid recovery. (Although this practice might appear artificial, particularly the condition of asking for the ball to be thrown back to the coach before starting the full recovery off the ground, it is an excellent method for developing the side diving and recovery requirements.)

ABILITIES DEVELOPED

Reactions, Handling, Power Diving.

KC's EMPHASIZED

Side Diving, Open, Recovery, Absorption, Hands.

Additional Information

Throwing the ball back from the side diving position, while pumping back up with the upper knee, brings the correct Recovery position, and forces the Side Diving and Open KC's to be adopted.

This artificial practice requires the keeper to throw the ball back to the server - something that would never be done in a game. But the effect of this condition is to compel the goalkeeper to adopt an open side-diving position when making the save. Otherwise, it would be impossible to return the ball.

If the goalkeeper swings both knees round, dives backwards, belly flops or rolls on the back, it is impossible to recover quickly. The exercise, therefore, establishes good diving techniques and good basic habits.

Six shots is considered the maximum number. After six repetitions fatigue may set in, and the keeper may start "flapping and flopping." This type of sloppy play must be discouraged at all times. Coaches must remember, this is not an endurance or fitness exercise. It is a practice for developing the correct techniques of goalkeeping.

Age Suitability

Age	Suitable	Comments
6-11	NO	Wait until children are 9-years-old before using this exercise. Substitute six shots with Three-Shot Stop.
12-15	YES	Two sets of the full Six-Shot Stop with a 45-60 second rest period in between. Best conducted immediately after team practice.
16+	YES	Ideally, conduct this exercise two or three times a week as a maintenance program: three sets of Six-Shot Stop at each session.