Salmon Leap

Objectives

To give a keeper the opportunity of making a save when caught off the line with a dipping, floating shot.

 

Organization

• Whenever possible, use full-sized goals.
• Bring goalkeeper 5-6 yards off the goal line.
• The coach with a supply of balls is positioned 10-12 yards out.
• The goalkeeper must stand square to the coach and not anticipate the service.
• Six shots with the goalkeeper returning to the starting position - use two or three sets of 6 leaps.
• Give keeper enough time to recover to the starting position - otherwise will begin to "cheat."

Coaching Points

• The keeper should work hard to get back quickly without turning back on the ball.
• Develop judgment on whether to catch, push or punch the ball over the bar, or to the side of the goal.
• When pushing ball over the bar, the keeper must work hard to give enough power to push the ball up and over.
• The final act of catching or pushing the ball may require a half turn towards the goal.

ABILITIES DEVELOPED

Quick footwork, power jumping and good decision making.

KC's EMPHASIZED

Alert and Alive, Stay On Feet, Open, Set.

Additional Information

Even very good goalkeepers get caught off the goal line. Sometimes it's through an error of judgment, or the goalkeeper has done everything right in narrowing the angle and the opponent simply produces a great chipped shot. Either way, it happens. And frequently enough at every level to warrant regular practice.

A major and unique problem arises in these circumstances as the keeper moves quickly towards the goal. The final act - very often the dive or thrust for the ball - is accomplished by diving and falling back towards the goal. A normal push or punch contact on the ball may not be strong enough to take it up and over to safety. Therefore, a strong upward thrust is required (see illustration) with the momentum of the shot usually being sufficiently strong to carry the ball over and beyond the goal.

" Leaping salmon" is what the goalkeepers must be. Make sure they practice this type of save often. Otherwise they may look like a fish out of water and make the coach look none-too-good at the same time.

Age Suitability

Age	Suitable	Comments
6-11	NO	Players at this age are not yet ready for this practice.
12-15	YES	Some time can be spent on this practice, but there are more important basics to be worked on.
16+	YES	Must be included on a regular basis in the practice program.