Skills slalom: poles and a shot against the racing keeper
Parallel race: the striker dribbles through poles and shoots first time after the last one while the keeper, without a ball, runs his own slalom to reach the goal before the shot.
Step 1Slalom paralelo
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El delantero conduce entre picas; el portero corre su slalom hacia la portería.
Objective
Dribble with both feet through poles keeping the ball close and strike first time after the last change of direction, under the time pressure of a keeper arriving at pace.
Organisation
Two parallel rows of five poles (or cones) in the penalty area, about 10 m apart with poles 2 m from each other. The row nearest the centre is for strikers; the other for keepers. Eight players: four in the striker line with a ball and four in the keeper line. Full-size or age-appropriate goal.
Development
- 1On the signal the striker dribbles in a zigzag through his poles and the keeper runs without a ball through his row.
- 2The striker must use both feet: the inside of the foot nearest the pole to change direction.
- 3After clearing the last pole the striker shoots first time, with no extra touch.
- 4The keeper tries to reach the centre of the goal before the shot is struck and make the save.
- 5After the shot, the keeper collects the ball and joins the striker line; the striker joins the keeper line.
- 6Keep score: one point per goal for the striker and one point per save or miss for the keeper.
- 7Adjust the number of poles in each row so the keeper's arrival is fair: if he is always late, remove one of his poles.
Coaching points4
- Ball always close to the foot and head up coming out of the last pole to see where the keeper is.
- Change direction with the inside foot and push the ball with the outside foot to keep the rhythm.
- The last touch before the final pole sets up the shot: not too long, not under the body.
- The keeper heads for the centre of the goal, not the corner he came in from.
Common mistakes3
- Dribbling only with the strong foot and going around the poles instead of between them.
- Slowing down after the last pole and taking a control before shooting.
- Keeper stuck on the post he arrived at.
Variations3
- Curved approach from outside the box instead of a straight line.
- The striker chooses which side to exit (left or right) and the keeper has to read it.
- Strikers in pairs: the second one finishes the rebound if the keeper saves.
Progressions2
- Add poles to the striker's row and demand a low shot to the corner opposite the keeper's entry.
- Start from outside the box and change the angle of approach each round.
Regressions2
- Keeper already set in goal from the start and a shorter slalom.
- Allow younger players one controlling touch before the shot.
Tips
- Works very well as an arrival activity while players turn up: it suits any number.
- Mark the start with a cone so both players go from the same line.