Soccer coaching tips to help your goalie jump
These soccer coaching tips and drills are aimed at goalkeepers who have to use large goals where a shot can go over their hands and under the crossbar. When goalkeepers change from small 7-a-side goals, they need to be taught to jump more because they are used to just stretching their arms up to stop the ball going in the net.
A lot of the art of jumping is about preparation - so if they are facing a free-kick or a player is lining up to shoot from outside the penalty area, they should be ready for a high ball.
The preparation for jumping requires the goalie to change their normal stance.
- The player should stand on the balls of the feet, drop the hips, and bend the knees, pulling the arms back at the same time.
- The feet should be no further than a shoulder-width apart.
Once the player has dropped into position, they have to "explode" up with their arms and legs. Get the players to jump using just the arms or legs and see the difference of using both together.
Importantly, the arms need to go up with the hands, ending above the head. Include some static vertical jumping at the end of your warm-up drills. Correct technique with individual players constantly.
You can do this with all your players, as it helps defenders and attackers get height to head the ball, although in this case they will not use their arms as much. Only goalkeepers stretch their arms above their heads. For heading purposes, arms are shoulder height.
Get players to work in pairs and see who can jump higher.
Extend the drill
As goalkeepers improve their skills, have them catch a ball at the highest point of the jump and then get them to run a few paces and jump.
Soccer coaching tips
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