GOALKEEPER TRAINING SESSIONS

Session 126: Basic Keeper Training

Session 127: Goalkeeping Handling Skills

Session 128: Teaching The Back Pass To The Keeper And Distribution From The
Defense

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Session 126: Basic Keeper Training

Catching: Turn and Receive

Set up: Layout three cones in a straight line 6 yards apart

Players and Balls: Two servers take up position at the outer cones facing the center. One
goalkeeper takes position by the center cone facing the server.

Action: The server volleys / throws a shot to the goalkeeper. The keeper saves the shot,
returns the ball to the server and quickly turns to receive a shot from the second server.
This can be repeated 8 to 12 times before changing keepers.

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Catching: Goal Keeper’s Handball

Set up: Layout cones 20 yards by 18 yards with a 2 yd end zone either end. The size of
the grid and end zone should match the skill of the players and the number of players in
the game. PLAYERS CAN’T RUN WITH THE BALL.

Players and Balls: Two teams 4 - 6 AND ONE Ball

Action: The game starts in the end zone of one team. The team with the ball uses good
technique to throw and catch the ball moving towards their opposing end zone. The team
without the ball tries to gain possession by intercepting the ball. Every time someone
catches the ball they must shout “keeper” if they do not the opposing team receive the
ball. Score by catching the ball in the opposite end zone.

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Catching: Goal Keeper’s Handball

Set up: Layout cones 20 yards by 18 yards with 2 GOALS. The size of the grid and end
zone should match the skill of the players and the number of players in the game.

Players and Balls: Two teams 4 - 6 and one Ball

Action: The game starts in the GOAL of one team. The team with the ball uses good
technique to throw and catch the ball moving towards their opposing GOAL. The team
without the ball tries to gain possession by intercepting the ball. Every time someone
catches the ball they must shout “keeper” if they do not the opposing team receive the
ball. PLAYERS CAN’T RUN WITH THE BALL.

Develop by having the field players shooting at goal on the volley so they get a chance to
practice volleying. ROTATE THE KEEPERS.

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Falling and Diving: 1

Set Up: Goalkeepers line up behind and to one side of their soccer ball.

Players and Balls: Goalkeeper *1 Ball *1

Action:
• Step with the foot nearest the ball to cut the ball off.
• Lead with the dive side hand.
• The dive side hand goes behind the ball allowing the other hand to be placed on the
top of the ball.
• Use the ground as a third hand.
• Roll to the ground with the knee making the first contact followed by the hip then the
shoulder
• Maintain a good bodyline.
• Keep ball in front of head.
• NEVER BREAK YOUR FALL WITH YOUR ELBOW.

Falling and Diving: 2

Set Up: Place 2 soccer balls 4 to 6 yards apart, two goalkeepers standing between the
two balls 3yds from one another.

Players and Balls: Goalkeeper *2 Ball *2

Action: On the coaches shout / whistle the keeper will dive to his / her left / right using the
correct technique, but now the keeper must get on feet as quickly as possible.

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Session 127: Goalkeeping Handling Skills

Activity #1 - Warm Up:

Goalkeepers move between balls or disks, listening to calls from the coach. Side Ways,
Skipping, heels up, knees up, etc

Coaching Points:
• Perform various dynamic movements / stretches - lunges side-lunges, leg swings etc
• Leg movements, and flexibility - ensure players are moving freely and not in an
awkward fashion.

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Activity #2 -Skill Practice Exercise: Sequence Passing

Set Up: Four goalkeepers are positioned inside the 20x20yd coned area as shown.

Goalkeepers move in the box area passing the ball to each other in a sequence defined
by the coach - for example: Coach calls “1,4,2,3” - layers must pass in that sequence.

Progressions: Different ball can be used, rugby ball, tennis balls, and footballs. To
progress the exercise add a 2nd ball and vary the choice of throws between the
goalkeepers. Loft Throw, over arm throw etc.

Coaching Points:
• Hands in front of body
• Hands behind the ball to catch
• If below chest height use the “basket” to catch - curved arms into body

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Activity #3 -Technical Practice

Set Up: Cones are placed as shown. Two goalkeepers (A) are positioned with balls at one
side of the area as shown.

Goalkeepers (B) vary movements through cones - lateral, forward, side-shuffle etc - before
receiving a ball from (A). Goalkeepers (A) can vary their service - volleys, half-volleys,
throws, high balls, low balls etc.

Change servers after assigned number of reps.

Coaching Points:
• Quality of technique -
• Footwork through cones
• Hands in front of body, “W” shape (hands behind the ball), If below chest height take
ball into the basket (curved arms into body)

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Activity #4 -Technical Practice

Set Up: Goalkeeper (A) is positioned in goal: Goalkeepers (B) are positioned
approximately 12 yards away with a supply of balls and act as servers. The fourth
goalkeeper performs stretching / abdominal training routine.

Goalkeeper (A) moves laterally receiving varied delivery from both servers (B). Servers
vary type of ball -
1. Low service
2. Medium Balls
3. High Balls

Perform 8-10 repetitions - then switch working GK to avoid fatigue.

Coaching Points:
1. Short Step Forward
2. Hands forward of body line
3. Head and eyes looking at the ball
4. Chest facing out, (not a swimming pool dive)
5. Ball on ground, then keeper takes ball with one hand behind and one hand on top of
ball, use ground as third hand.
6. Back to feet as quickly as possible.
7. Push off with hand and leg keeping body weight forward.

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Activity #5 -Technical Practice

Set Up: Goalkeeper (A) is positioned in goal: Goalkeepers (B) are positioned at two
different angles as shown The fourth goalkeeper performs stretching / abdominal training
routine.

Goalkeeper (A) moves laterally receiving a “near-post” shot from (B). Player (B) then
quickly passes a “cut-back” ball to (C) - the goalkeeper (A) must quickly regain his feet
to adjust to this new ball position. (C) then attempts to score towards the far-post area -
goalkeeper must attempt to save all shots.
Rotate goalkeepers after 4-6 repetitions.

Coaching Points:
1. Short Step Forward
2. Hands forward of body line
3. Ball on ground, then keeper takes ball with one hand behind and one hand on top of
ball, use ground as third hand.
4. Back to feet as quickly as possible
5. Push of with hand and leg keeping body weight forward

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Final Activity -Conditioned Game

Set Up: Teams are organized on a small pitch with full-size goals as shown.

Both teams compete for possession of the ball and attempt to score in their opponents
goal. Teams are encouraged to shoot from distance to test the goalkeepers.

Coaching Points:
1. Goalkeepers must anticipate the play - be ready.
2. Focus on previous technical aspects - handling, footwork etc.
3. Communication with teammates

Progression:
1. Players awarded extra points for shooting / scoring from own half.
2. Goalkeepers join the other players for a 5v5 - 8v8 (depending on numbers) small-sided
game.

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Session 128: Teaching The Back Pass To The Keeper And Distribution From The
Defense

Each keeper takes a number of dead

ball kicks to the other keeper.

Each one takes up to 10 kicks. Start

with the inside balls working outwards.

Keeper must never run backwards

going back to the other side but use a
natural movement to move from side to
side always in an arced run using the
cone as a reference.

An arced run means they can strike

the ball with a more open approach to
the ball and open stance. Emphasize
relaxing on the kick. Striking the ball on
the ground then chipping it.

The keeper now moves around a cone

in an arc to receive the back pass from
the coach.

Now practicing kicks into the air as a

clearance, trying to get the ball high
into the other keeper’s hands. When
he or she gets it they pass to the coach
and the routine continues. One touch
to control and second to pass.

Practicing both sides with both feet.

Compare the two feet they are using as
to their technique.

Coach the technique needed if they do

not get it right.

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Bring players into the game so outfield players get some practice too. (A) Passes to the
keeper, the keeper controls the ball to the side and passes to the wide receiver. Wide
receiver runs forward with the ball and crosses.

(A) After passing spins and attacks the other goal running to make contact with the cross
and score a goal. Keeper can pass one or two touch. First touch is away from the goal.

Angle, weight, accuracy and timing of the pass from the keeper is crucial. The keeper
must pass the ball in front of the receiver for them to run onto to.

Timing of the run is important; the player receiving must not go too early to get in front of
the pass. Player attacking the cross the same and they must not run until they see the
keeper control the pass.

On a back pass only play the ball when the keeper asks for it, the keeper must dictate this,
and show them where he or she wants it. Use a Command style.

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Now (A) breaks wide and deeper after their pass to the keeper. In a game this would
be breaking wide to receive a pass from the keeper. Only pass to the right still but (A)
still offers the option. Check this player’s position so they get into the correct supporting
position to receive. Put a cone down to force them to run to the correct position if they
don’t get the angle right.

As the players go forward the keeper must go forward too. Runs too early mean too small
a space to go into, runs too late mean too big a space to go into. Outside players must ask
for the ball. Good Communication is vital. Ensure the keeper focuses on making the pass
easy to receive for the outfield player.

Progression: Keeper can pass to either outside support player.

Progression: Have one player passive pressure the keeper and then increase the level of
pressure from this player as the keeper improves.

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