Progressive catching at three heights
A low, mid and high catching progression served by the coach to consolidate hand technique and getting the body behind the line of the ball.
Step 1Blocaje bajo
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El entrenador sirve raso y el portero se desplaza para blocar abajo.
Objective
Consolidate catching technique at all three heights and make getting the body behind the line of the ball automatic.
Organisation
Goal area or a 15x10 m space with one goal. One coach with three balls 8-10 m from the keeper and two cones marking a 6 m wide zone in front of the goal line. 1-2 goalkeepers work, alternating sets.
Development
- 1The keeper takes a set position in the middle of the marked zone, about 2 m off the goal line.
- 2The coach serves the first ball along the ground with the foot, slightly to one side; the keeper shuffles across and collects low with the legs in a wedge or with one knee on the ground.
- 3The second ball arrives at chest height, served by hand or foot; the keeper catches it into the chest, closing arms and forearms around the ball.
- 4The third ball is high; the keeper rises and catches above the head with the hands in a W shape and thumbs together.
- 5After each catch the keeper returns the ball to the coach and resets into the set position.
- 6Complete 4-6 sets of three balls per keeper, alternating the side of the movement each set.
Coaching points4
- Hands always in front of the body and at the height of the ball's flight before it arrives.
- Move with short lateral steps without crossing the feet so the body ends up behind the ball.
- On the mid-height catch, receive with the forearms and bring the ball into the chest to absorb the impact.
- On the high catch, take the ball at its highest point with the elbows slightly bent.
Common mistakes3
- Catching with stiff, fully extended arms, which causes rebounds.
- Waiting for the ball instead of attacking it with the body.
- Leaving a gap between the hands on the high catch by not bringing the thumbs together.
Variations3
- Serve the balls by hand to work the technique at lower speed.
- Change the order of the heights without warning to add a reading component.
- Run the drill in goalkeeper pairs: one serves, the other catches.
Progressions2
- Increase the serving distance to 12-14 m and the speed of the ball.
- Add a movement between cones before each catch.
Regressions2
- Reduce the distance to 5-6 m and always serve by hand.
- Work one height per set until the technique is stable.
Tips
- Insist on the set position between balls: feet shoulder-width apart, weight on the balls of the feet.
- Use size 4 balls for U8-U10 age groups.