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WavesTransition

Goalkeeper Save and Fast Break

The goalkeeper saves a shot and immediately throws to a winger; three attackers break against two defenders and must shoot at the other goal within 12 seconds.

Age
U13–Senior
Players
10–14
Duration
18 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Intensity
High
Area
60 × 40 m
Type
Tactical
Approach
Global
Format
Waves
Objectives
  • Technical: Goalkeeping, Finishing
  • Tactical: Attacking transition
Concepts worked on

Training diagram

Diagram of the exercise “Goalkeeper Save and Fast Break”40 × 60 m · 3 × Attacker · 2 × Defender · 1 × Neutral / support · 2 × Goalkeeper1233451234C

Legend

  • Attacker
  • Defender
  • Neutral / support
  • Goalkeeper
  • Pass
  • Run without ball
  • Dribble
  • Shot
  • Ball
  • Cone
  • Goal

The fastest counter-attacks start with the goalkeeper's hands. After a save or a catch, the opponents are still high up the pitch. The goalkeeper learns to look up straight away and throw to the free winger; attackers learn to break wide and quickly.

Objective

Launch a counter-attack with a quick, accurate throw from the goalkeeper and finish it within seconds.

Organisation

  • Pitch of 60 × 40 m with two goals and goalkeepers. Three attackers start in their own half (two wide, one central); two defenders in the other half. A coach shoots from the edge of the box.

How it works

  1. The coach shoots; the goalkeeper saves (or collects the ball from the net) and throws to a winger.
  2. The three attackers break and finish against two defenders and the other goalkeeper within 12 seconds.
  3. Rotate attackers and defenders every 4 breaks.

Coaching points

  • Goalkeeper: decide while catching; throw in front of the winger so they receive running.
  • Winger: be wide and ready as the shot is taken.
  • Striker and far winger: sprint into the box, one near post, one far post.

Progressions

  • A recovering defender starts from the halfway line.
  • 10 seconds to finish.

Regressions

  • One defender only.

Variations

  • The goalkeeper may also kick (drop-kick) to the striker.

Key principles

  • Save, look, throw, go.

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