Come or Hold
Judge whether a slow through ball can be collected or requires holding goal position.
- 12 min
- 3–6 players
Drill · U14
Call the Landing Zone
Predict a gentle thrown ball's landing zone and communicate the decision without jumping or diving.
- Duration
- 10 min
- Players
- 2–4 (ideal 2)
- Goalkeeping
- Scanning
- Communication
Setup
Step 1 of 2
One complete 2-player group is shown. Green GK observes from a protected left position. Blue 2 stands to the right of two empty landing zones, A upper and B lower. One gentle underarm toss lands within a zone; nobody enters either zone while the ball is moving.
Coaching points
- Setup: Green GK observes from a protected left position. Blue 2 stands to the right of two empty landing zones, A upper and B lower. One gentle underarm toss lands within a zone; nobody enters either zone while the ball is moving.
- Play: Blue sends a short gentle toss towards an empty zone. GK watches from the protected position and calls A or B before the ball first lands. One correct early call is a shared point. GK stays still: this is flight reading, with no claim, jump or catch. If the toss approaches a person, stop and use a stationary demonstration instead.
- Reset and rotation: Allow the ball to stop completely, then collect and swap observer and server after three tosses. Rest after 30 seconds. Move both roles to the opposite sides for another view; never stand inside a landing zone.
- 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: Read direction and likely landing place, then communicate clearly. A mistaken call is discussed against the actual landing; it never prompts a chase or attempted intervention.
- 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. No goalkeeper moves into a landing zone or catches the tossed ball.
Equipment
- Ball · 2 per group, including a spare
- Flat Marker · 12 per group for field and zone corners, in addition to pictured markers
- Bib · 2 per group; colours match the pictured roles
Progressions
- Easier Name the target zone before a very short toss and let GK observe one complete flight.
- Harder Choose either zone without announcing it while retaining the same gentle toss and protected stationary observer. No higher or harder service.
