Collapse Dive Progression

Teach the low collapse dive in three stages so the landing is on the side of the body, the ball is secured, and the keeper trusts the movement before adding speed.

Keeper faces a server 5 yards away. Two cones 6 yards apart mark the goal behind the keeper. Balls with the server.

1. Stage 1, kneeling: the keeper kneels; the server rolls balls 1 yard either side. The keeper falls sideways onto the hip and shoulder, top hand on top of the ball, bottom hand behind it.
2. Stage 2, squatting: same serve from a low squat. The near knee collapses and the keeper slides onto the side of the body.
3. Stage 3, standing set position: the server rolls firmer balls 2 yards either side. Step with the near foot, collapse, and secure.
4. Eight reps per stage, alternating sides. Move up only when the landing is clean on both sides.
5. Finish with 6 live shots along the ground from 8 yards.

• Land on the side of the body, never the elbow or stomach.
• Top hand on top, bottom hand behind: trap the ball against the ground.
• Head follows the ball; eyes never leave it.
• Lead with the near foot, then collapse.

• Keepers land flat on the stomach and the ball squirts free; go back a stage and slow the serve until the hip-and-shoulder landing shows up.
• The bottom arm is tucked under the body on landing; the bottom hand must be behind the ball, not underneath the keeper.
• Coaches rush to live shots because it looks like real goalkeeping; the technique only sticks if the reps at each stage are unhurried.

• Server delivers a bouncing ball so the keeper must adjust the hands.
• Keeper starts with a side shuffle before the dive.
• Add a second server for a dive one way then the other.

• Stay on stage 1 for the whole session.
• Use a soft ball or a size 3.
• Roll the ball slower and closer to the body.

• No stage 3 until both sides are clean at stage 2.