Close-range finishing and quick restarts

Close-range finishes are a common feature in futsal and require goalkeepers to display good reflexes. Similarly, the restart phase is key, and the outcome of a game can be decided by a quick counter-attack launched by the goalkeeper. The following exercise, focuses on the goalkeeper restarting play quickly after catching the ball.

Basic sequence

Variation 1: Switching positions with the off-court goalkeepers.

Variation 2: Players can play the ball to either of the off-court goalkeepers

Organisation

Use half of a court.
Mark out a halfway line using cones.
Place a goal at either end of the court.
Position a goalkeeper in either goal (and a goalkeeper on each touchline – see variation 1 below).
Set up a 2v2 scenario.

Explanation

The exercise starts with one of the goalkeepers in possession.
The goalkeeper plays the ball to a team-mate inside their own half.
The team in possession have a maximum of 4 passes or 6 seconds in which to finish on goal.
After each attack ends, the goalkeeper has the following two options to restart play:

Pass to a team-mate positioned beyond the halfway line
Drop the ball and dribble towards goal before shooting

Variations

Variation 1: If the goalkeeper gets hold of the ball or restarts play quickly, they can play to either of the off-court goalkeepers before swapping positions with them.
Variation 2: On-court players can play the ball to either of the off-court goalkeepers at any time during the sequence.

Coaching points

If the goalkeeper catches the ball, the attackers must receive it in deep attacking areas.
In 2v1 situations, the keeper should try to anticipate the play.
The goalkeeper should read the play and identify where the unmarked player is.