Special Olympics Football Coaches Quick Start Guide For more drills, please see Football CD Skill Progression Maintains concentration when ball is away from the goal. Gets behind the line of the ball. Scoops up low balls with legs straight and together. Goes down on one knee and scoops up low balls. Secures high ball with both hands working together as one unit. Lowers body center of gravity before diving. Dive on side of body, not flat on stomach. Get both hands to the ball and bring it securely to the body. Distribute the ball using appropriate technique. Goalkeeping Faults & Fixes Error Player distributes the ball from too far back in the goal box. Player stands on goal line. Correction Instruct player to move up to just inside the box before distributing the ball. Encourage player to stand on goal line and then take one big step forward. Make sure teammate is aware that you are passing the ball to them. If the pass fails, always make sure that your goal is covered. Drill/Test Reference Have player count off three to five steps forward before distributing the ball. If player is even with the posts, he/she needs to move out. Communicate effectively with teammates when distributing ball. Make sure when passing that the goalkeeper is in the middle of the goal area. Throw ball out too quickly. Throwing ball out when not in right position. Football Quick Start Guide – September 2004 43