Goalkeeper Claiming Crosses
Wide players deliver crosses from both sides; the goalkeeper decides to come and catch at the highest point or stay. Two attackers and a defender add traffic in the box.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 4–10
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 30 × 40 m
- Type
- Technical
- Approach
- Intermediate
- Format
- Waves
- Objectives
- Technical: Goalkeeping, Crossing
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Goalkeeper positioningCrossingHeading
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Claiming crosses relieves pressure on the whole team. The goalkeeper must start in the right position for each cross, read the flight early and attack the ball with a strong take-off. Traffic in the box makes the decision realistic.
Objective
Read the flight of a cross, decide early and catch the ball at the highest point.
Organisation
- Penalty area with a goal and goalkeeper.
- Two wide servers at the corners of the box (or further wide), two attackers and one defender inside.
How it works
- Servers cross alternately from each side; attackers attack the ball, the defender marks.
- The goalkeeper shouts 'keeper!' when coming, or 'away!' when staying.
- 10 crosses from each side; restart quickly.
Coaching points
- Starting position: a step off the line, slightly towards the far post, open body to the ball.
- Decide early and shout.
- Take off from one leg, lead knee up for protection.
- Catch at the highest point in front of the head.
Progressions
- Inswinging and outswinging crosses.
- Add a second attacker.
Regressions
- Start without attackers and with slower crosses.
Variations
- Finish with a quick distribution to a target player after each claim.
Key principles
- Decide early, attack the ball.
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