Keeper for a day
Ready when: Close control and juggling (b1) started.
What you are learning
The first goalkeeping skills: catching with the hands behind the ball, getting the body behind a rolling ball, and falling to the side safely on soft grass. Then a shooting game where each player is keeper in turn.
Words on this card Goal, Goalkeeper
- Goal
- The goal is the frame with a net; the goal line is the end line it stands on; the sidelines run down the long sides.
- Goalkeeper
- The player who guards the goal and may use the hands in the penalty area.
Set up
A soft ball; two small goals of cones about 10 m apart.
Weather: soft, dry ground
Show it first for the one teaching
- Throw the ball up and catch it with the fingers spread and the hands behind it, thumbs nearly touching.
- For a rolling ball, kneel on one knee behind it and scoop it into the chest.
- From kneeling, fall to the side onto soft grass with both hands on the ball.
Your part while they practise
Throw or roll gently, one ball at a time; then shoot softly at the child's goal.
Step by step
- Throw the ball up and catch it with the hands behind it.
- Catch rolled balls by getting the body behind them.
- From kneeling, fall to the side onto soft grass to save a rolled ball.
- Take turns: each guards a goal and throws at the other.
How much: 10 catches, then 5 shots each 10 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Five shots
Five shots each, then change goals; count the saves.
Who plays: the child against you; each is keeper in turn.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Each player stands in their own cone goal, 10 m apart
- Take turns to throw or kick softly at the other goal
- The keeper tries to catch or stop it
- 5 shots each, then change goals and play again
- Fair play
- A grown-up shoots with the weaker foot or throws underarm.
- Points
- 1 point for each save; 2 points for a catch held without a drop.
- Fouls
- No point for that save, and a goal to the shooter
- The keeper turns away from the shot
- The shooter kicks hard from closer than the line
- The keeper dives on hard ground
- Winning
- More points after 10 shots each.
- 3 points for 1 star
- 6 points for 2 stars
- 10 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
Roll the ball; a bigger, softer ball.
Kick instead of throw.
What you will see, and what to say
- the child turns away from the shot
Eyes on the ball, hands ready
Face the ball. - the ball slips through the hands
Hands behind the ball
Make a W with the thumbs.
Self-check
8 of 10 thrown balls caught; 3 saves in 5 shots.
Stop and get a coach when
Wrist or finger pain; no diving on hard ground.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains catching, falling on soft ground, courage.
Basic is done when the child meets the self-checks on b1 to b4 and enjoys playing 3 v 3.
awiseathlete.com/sports/football/football-b5