Les Sparks Goalkeeping Drill Page

When the keeper decides that he can not catch the ball, he should box it out of danger. When to box depends on a several factors such as speed and closeness of the ball, spin on the ball, weather (a wet ball can be hard to catch), etc. A good rule is "When in doubt, box."

When you box, you make a fist with both hands and then place them together. The fists make one flat surface. Don't use the knuckles to contact the ball. When you make the fist be sure that the thumb are wrapped around out of the way but not tucked under the fingers.

You must hit the ball under its center to give it:

Height

Distance up the field. Get it out of danger.

Width. Get the ball wide where there is less danger

To learn boxing start in a sitting position. Have a partner serve the ball softly from about 1 yard away. Concentrate on accurately returning the ball. Concentrate on technique always box up. Increase the distance between the server and the keeper.

When you are doing a good job from the sitting position, move to a kneeling position. You can put more force on the ball. Follow through with your upper body.

Concentrate on technique. You should be able to get the ball high.

Now move to a standing position. Stand still at first. Then have the ball served where you have to run forward to get it. Get the ball at its highest point. Concentrate on getting under the ball and boxing it high.

More on Boxing The Ball

Practice boxing : You can practice boxing by continuously boxing the ball. See how may consecutive time you can do this.

If you have two goal keepers they can play boxing volleyball. Use a goal without nets as the net for the volleyball game.

Pressure drills.

The idea of these drills is to get the keeper used to boxing when under pressure. The drill requires a person to serve the ball and one or more players to apply pressure. As always when working on a new skill, start with low pressure to that the keeper will succeed. When the keeper has confidence, add pressure.
Start with the player standing next to keeper but remaining static. Serve the ball to the keeper. Make sure to serve the ball with some pace. The keeper should use both fists and concentrate on hitting the ball high and wide.

When the keeper can deal with the distraction of the player, have the player stand in front of the keeper but without jumping. Serve the ball high to the keeper so that the keeper will have to box it away over the player. Make sure that the keeper doesn't foul the player.

When the keeper can deal with the static player, allow the player to apply 50 to 75% pressure.

Finish by playing a game where the players can practice heading to score and the keeper can practice boxing. Give the keeper the option of catching or boxing.

Send comments to Les Sparks e-mail less@ntrnet.net .

A Boxing Tip

Jarret Makrugin offers this tip on boxing. Good information. Thanks.

A golden rule on boxing: Box the way you are travelling/moving. If you are moving forward, box forward, if you are moving backward (backpedaling) box backward. Box with your momentum. Otherwise you wind up with a horribly short result!

Jarret