Futbol Island

11v11 lesson · Restart and time the run · Intermediate

A Goal Kick Needs Two Options

Give your goalkeeper choices. Read the opponent before deciding where the pass should go.

What the coach says

  1. The goalkeeper has a goal kick. Two teammates offer different angles.
  2. The opponent closes the left route. Have a look on the right.
  3. Which short pass has the clearer route?
  4. Play to the right. That teammate can open toward the field.
  5. The opponent covers the left route. The goalkeeper can reach the right teammate along the ground.
  6. Return the ball to the goalkeeper. This is a new goal-kick picture with pressure on the other side.
  7. This time the opponent moves right. Check the left teammate again.
  8. Which teammate can receive this time?
  9. Use the left option this time. The opponent has left that route open.
  10. Give your goalkeeper choices. Read the opponent before deciding where the pass should go.

Quiz questions

Try to answer before you read the coach’s explanation. On the island you answer each one on the pitch.

  1. Question 1

    Which short pass has the clearer route?

    • Pass to the left teammate
    • Pass to the right teammate

    Coach’s explanation: The opponent covers the left route. The goalkeeper can reach the right teammate along the ground.

  2. Question 2

    Which teammate can receive this time?

    • The teammate on the left
    • The teammate on the right

    Coach’s explanation: The opponent has moved right. The route to the left teammate is now clear.

  3. Question 3

    The goalkeeper plays to the open right teammate. What should that teammate do next?

    • Dribble toward our own goal line
    • Open up and face the field
    • Pass straight back to the goalkeeper

    Coach’s explanation: Opening toward the field lets the receiver see forward passes and move the ball up.

  4. Question 4

    Put the goal kick in order, from first to last.

    • Keeper passes into the open route
    • Opponent closes one of the routes
    • Receiver takes it and turns upfield
    • Two teammates offer different angles

    Coach’s explanation: Two angles give choices, the opponent can only close one, so the keeper uses the other.

  5. Question 5

    Now the opponent steps into the middle. Which goal-kick pass has the clear route?

    • Long kick to the striker
    • Pass to the right teammate
    • Short pass up the middle

    Coach’s explanation: The opponent has moved inside, so the ground route to the right teammate is open.

Play it on the island