Submarining

Submarining

Objectives

To give goalkeeper practice in acquiring the correct "diving at the feet" techniques.

Organization

• "Shooters" line up as shown in illustration.
• "Server" is positioned behind the front players. Practice from right and later switch to left.
• Ball is rolled or passed by the server, but is biased for the goalkeeper. If served balls are open to contention, the shooter must take evasive action where any chance of injury arises.
• Use "criss-cross" principle of changing positions.
• Don't allow the goalkeepers to cheat by moving off their line too far, too early.

Coaching Points

• Keepers must be on their toes, always ready.
• Goalkeepers must come out low and fast - like the submariner, dive, dive, dive!
• As the practice is geared for technique work, it should result in a dive for the ball, in which case the keeper should be encouraged to:
  Go down a fraction early and slide into the side-diving position. A late dive could result in ball being played under body.
  Keep hands (towards ball) and head covering the near post; body and legs spreading to side, covering goal and far post.
  Don't allow keepers to "corkscrew" by coming out and turning inside-out so legs cover near post.
  

ABILITIES DEVELOPED	KC's EMPHASIZED
Correct at-the-feet Side Diving techniques.	Open, Side Diving, Hands, Don't Fall Back, Shape.

Additional Information

Generally speaking, goalkeepers stay free of injury and play longer than field players. The physical demands of goalkeeping are not as great as that of field play. Staying injury-free gives soccer longevity. Diving at the feet of on-rushing opponents is probably the most hazardous situation in goalkeeping.

Ironically, almost all severe injuries to goalkeepers in these situations come as a result of poor technique. This is why it is critically important to work on this type of practice with young, and even not-so-young goalkeepers. Oftentimes young, inexperienced goalkeepers move out to deal with through balls, and kneel down to collect the ball, presenting the possibility of being kicked or kneed - usually on the head.

All the things we have stressed in the "Key Considerations" come into play in these kinds of situations, in order to give the correct and safe method of diving at the feet. For example:

The dive is on the side, with the hands going to the ball to give protection as a buffer to an attacker kicking through the ball.

The goalkeeper must not fall backwards and slide legs out; nor swing the legs and knees around and forward on the dive and slide. All will produce ineffective goalkeeping, and could result in serious injury.

The simple rule is this: hands and head to the ball, in covering the near post; body and legs spread across, in covering center goal and far post areas.

Age Suitability

Age	Suitable	Comments
6-11	YES	Essential practice for 9, 10 and 11-year-olds, but must be strictly controlled to avoid any misunderstandings. Start with a gentle service without opposition.
12-15	YES	Avoidance of this type of practice will produce injuries in match play.
16+	YES	Good warm-up technique practice prior to more judgment-oriented practice situations.