The Coaches' Room
7v7U11In Possession

Keeper wants to play out every single time

Asked by NoSignalToday
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even when pitch is crowded they still choose short. how do we keep confidence without making long pass feel like failure?

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UEFA C Coach

Grassroots session design • 5v5 & 7v7 formats

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I would keep the confidence to play short, but widen the goalkeeper's definition of successful build-up. Playing out does not mean the first pass has to be five yards. It means choosing the best way to keep or progress possession from the goalkeeper. In training, give the keeper different pictures. Sometimes leave a defender free nearby. Sometimes lock the short options and leave a player higher up available. Ask afterwards: "What did you see?" That helps the goalkeeper recognise that a longer pass can be the correct decision rather than feeling like they have abandoned the team's style. I would also avoid shouting "go long" as soon as pressure arrives. That can make young goalkeepers frightened of trying to play. Instead, give them a simple principle: if we can play through the pressure, great. If the opposition have committed lots of players to stopping that, there may be useful space somewhere else. Good goalkeeping distribution is not short versus long. It is recognising where the advantage is.

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