How to Improve Your Ball Distribution: Exercises and Drills for Goalkeepers
Ball distribution is the ability to pass, throw, or kick the ball accurately and effectively from the goalkeeper’s possession. It is a vital skill for a modern goalkeeper, as it can help his team retain possession, launch counterattacks, or change tactics.
Ball distribution requires vision, technique, decision-making, and communication skills. A goalkeeper with good ball distribution can help his team in many ways, while a goalkeeper with poor ball distribution can hurt his team in many ways.
Therefore, it is crucial for goalkeepers to practice their ball distribution skills regularly and master different techniques. In this article, we will look at some exercises and drills for goalkeepers to improve their ball distribution.
Back Pass
A back pass is when a defender passes the ball back to the goalkeeper, who then has to decide whether to control the ball or clear it away immediately. A back pass can be a useful way to relieve pressure from the opposition, but it can also be risky if not executed well.
Some exercises and drills for improving back passes are:
• Back Pass Drill: This drill involves four goalkeepers and one feeder. The goalkeepers take turns to receive a back pass from the feeder and clear it away to another goalkeeper. The goalkeepers have to use both feet and make quick decisions. This drill improves their footwork, composure, and accuracy.
• Back Pass Game: This game involves two teams of four players each, with one goalkeeper on each team. The teams play on a small field with two goals. The goalkeepers can only use their feet and have to play out from the back. The teams have to score by passing the ball into the opponent’s goal. This game improves their passing, vision, and decision-making.
Throwing
Throwing is when a goalkeeper throws the ball with his hands to a teammate after making a save or catching a cross. Throwing can be a very effective way to start a counterattack or switch play quickly.
Some exercises and drills for improving throwing are:
• Throwing Drill: This drill involves four goalkeepers and one feeder. The goalkeepers take turns to catch a ball from the feeder and throw it to another goalkeeper. The goalkeepers have to use different types of throws depending on the distance, angle, and trajectory. This drill improves their throwing technique, power, and accuracy.
• Throwing Game: This game involves two teams of four players each, with one goalkeeper on each team. The teams play on a small field with two goals. The goalkeepers can only use their hands and have to throw the ball to their teammates. The teams have to score by throwing the ball into the opponent’s goal. This game improves their throwing vision, decision-making, and communication.
Goal Kick
A goal kick is when a goalkeeper kicks the ball from his hands or from the ground after it goes out of play behind his goal line. A goal kick can be a good way to restart play or change tactics.
Some exercises and drills for improving goal kicks are:
• Goal Kick Drill: This drill involves four goalkeepers and one feeder. The goalkeepers take turns to kick a ball from the ground or from their hands to another goalkeeper. The goalkeepers have to use different types of kicks depending on the power, accuracy, and spin they want to achieve. This drill improves their kicking technique, power, and accuracy.
• Goal Kick Game: This game involves two teams of four players each, with one goalkeeper on each team. The teams play on a small field with two goals. The goalkeepers can only use their feet and have to kick the ball to their teammates. The teams have to score by kicking the ball into the opponent’s goal. This game improves their kicking vision, decision-making, and communication.
Drop Kick
A drop kick is when a goalkeeper drops the ball from his hands and kicks it before it hits the ground. A drop kick can be a very powerful and unpredictable way to launch the ball forward.
Some exercises and drills for improving drop kicks are:
• Drop Kick Drill: This drill involves four goalkeepers and one feeder. The goalkeepers take turns to drop kick a ball from their hands to another goalkeeper. The goalkeepers have to time their drop and kick perfectly and use different types of drop kicks depending on the bounce, spin, and curve they want to achieve. This drill improves their drop kick technique, timing, and accuracy.
• Drop Kick Game: This game involves two teams of four players each, with one goalkeeper on each team. The teams play on a small field with two goals. The goalkeepers can only use their feet and have to drop kick the ball to their teammates. The teams have to score by drop kicking the ball into the opponent’s goal. This game improves their drop kick vision, decision-making, and communication.
Conclusion
Ball distribution is a skill that can make or break a goalkeeper’s performance. A goalkeeper with good ball distribution can help his team in many ways, while a goalkeeper with poor ball distribution can hurt his team in many ways.
Therefore, goalkeepers should practice their ball distribution skills regularly and master different techniques. By doing so, they can improve their vision, technique, decision-making, and communication skills.