Soccer Goalkeeper Tips for Dealing with Crosses
Crossed balls can be very challenging for a goalkeeper to deal with. A goalkeeper must develop confidence and ability to deal with crossed balls. A goalkeeper string on crosses will not only help his own game, but confidence will spread through defenders who feel stability and certainty throughout the game.
Mentality
Clarity and decisiveness is crucial for a goalkeeper dealing with crosses. You must learn your range in practice, test your limits and realize how far out you can come and comfortably collect a cross. When you get to games decide early before communicating whether or not you are coming to collect the cross. If you cannot make it stay on the line to save a header or shot on goal. The only error you cannot afford when dealing with crossed balls is to change your mind, resulting in hesitation or stopping In no man’s land. Make a decision and commit to it.
Communication
Your defensive unit must know whether or not you are coming for a ball with total clarity. Decide early and let your defenders know whether or not you are coming for a ball. Use “keepers” when coming to collect, say “away” if you want your defenders to clear it. The words can vary you must just make sure that your defenders know what you mean, and you use the same language on game day as you do in practice. You must communicate as early as possible to let your defenders know you are coming for the ball. Bear in mind a defender will go full speed for a ball until he hears you, so if you call for the ball as it hits your hand you will likely end up colliding with your teammate and dropping the ball.
Catching
Catching is always the preferred method of dealing with crosses, this puts the ball in your hands and gives you full control to start a counter attack. Use the following coaching points when catching a crossed ball;
- Decide early whether you are coming for the ball.
- Communicate your intentions clearly and early to your back line.
- Catch ball at highest point, preferably with both feet off the ground while jumping.
- Catch ball above your head and hold it up above head, bringing down in one motion can easily result in the ball being knocked loose.
- Thrust your knee in air, this will have the double benefit of helping your leap and protecting you from forwards running into you.
Click here to view the drillPunching
If you are unsure whether you can successfully catch a ball punching a cross away may be the most effective method of dealing with a crossed ball. A punch that gets the ball clear is far more effective than a fumbled catch that could drop at the feet of a forward. Use the following technique for punching the ball one handed;
- Punch with a straight arm through the ball, do not swing arm.
- When the elbow is locked out, the hand should point forward and up above forehead.
- Contact ball just below mid line.
- Aim to punch ball out wide and clear of the 18 yard area.
If you prefer to punch two handed, use similar technique to that outlined above, just with your hands both clenched as a fist and tight together. Keep both your thumbs on top of the double fist.
ACTION PLAN
- Practice dealing with crosses that come from a number of different angles. Place a marker by the left by-line, a marker 10 yards out and a third marker 20 yards out. Repeat this process on the right sideline. The different positions will allow you to practice crosses angled away from you, on a flat angle, and coming in towards you.
- Practice catching 10 balls from each spot unopposed. Progress difficulty by catching against a forward challenging for the ball.
- Practice punching balls clear unopposed, mark 2 goals that are 5 to 10 yards wide on the corners of the penalty area. Score a point for punching the ball away through these goals.
- Progress difficulty by adding a defender in the way for you to fight through contact and simulate a crowded penalty area.
