Drill · U10
Move to the Ground Ball
Approach a slow rolled ball and gather it without diving.
- Duration
- 8 min
- Players
- 2–4 (ideal 2)
- Goalkeeping
- Movement
- Scanning
Setup
Step 1 of 2
One complete 2-player group is shown. Green GK faces blue 2 on a clear ground lane. A flat marker is the possible collection point, four metres ahead of GK. Blue holds the ball to roll slowly; the lane is empty and there is no attacker.
Coaching points
- Setup: Green GK faces blue 2 on a clear ground lane. A flat marker is the possible collection point, four metres ahead of GK. Blue holds the ball to roll slowly; the lane is empty and there is no attacker.
- Play: Blue rolls towards the marker only after readiness. GK reads the slow route, walks forward and lowers through comfortable knees and hips to gather a stationary or nearly stationary ball with two hands, staying on feet. One balanced secure gather is success. If the ball cannot be reached upright without lunging, let it pass and stop.
- Reset and rotation: Stop the ball and return it by hand. Swap roles after three rolls, rest after 30 seconds and mirror the lane. Vary only the starting angle within the clear lane; there is no race to the marker.
- Numbers: The diagram shows 2 players. With up to 4, use a second complete group in a separate area. Odd spare players rest off the area and rotate into a playing role every 45 seconds; everyone has equal turns.
- Coach focus: Move early enough to arrive balanced. Let the service slow before collecting; hands stay with the ball until secure. Shorten the distance when collecting upright is difficult.
- Safety: Adult supervision on level clear ground. Gentle service only; agree readiness before release. Stay on feet: no diving, jumps, contact, slide, contested catch or fast close shot. Stop a missed ball rather than chase. Retrieve and rotate only while play is stopped.
Equipment
- Ball · 2 per group, including a spare
- Flat Marker · 1 per group
- Flat Marker · 4 per group for field and zone corners, in addition to pictured markers
- Bib · 2 per group; colours match the pictured roles
Progressions
- Easier Place a stationary ball at the marker for a walking approach and two-hand gather.
- Harder Roll gently from a small offset so GK adjusts the walking approach; preserve an empty collection route and no diving.
