Being a football goalkeeper is a challenging and exhilarating position that demands a unique set of skills. Whether you’re an aspiring shot-stopper or a seasoned veteran, continuous training is key to sharpening your abilities and maintaining peak performance. What can you do, though, to really build on the skills you have on the pitch? Here are 10 drills you may want to try that will change what you’re currently doing and enhance your game. These drills cover a wide range of aspects, from agility and reflexes to positioning and distribution. Let’s get started!
Handling and Catching Drills
Handling and catching drills are fundamental for football goalkeepers because they play a critical role in the ability to perform their primary function: preventing goals. They help you develop the ability to control the ball effectively. Your hands are your primary tools for controlling and manipulating the ball, whether it’s catching it cleanly or parrying it away from danger. Improved ball control ensures that you can easily secure the ball and eliminate immediate threats. What drills work best to help you learn to control the ball more effectively? Try these options:
Drill 1: The Basic Catch
- Purpose: To develop fundamental catching skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Execution: This is a fairly simple drill, but it’s very powerful. Have a teammate or coach gently toss or roll the ball to you. Your job is to focus on clean catches using proper technique every time the ball comes near you. This may seem like a slow way to handle things, but remember that your goal is the right technique every single time.
Drill 2: Reaction Ball Drills
- Purpose: To improve quick reflexes and adaptability.
- Execution: While the last drill was fairly slow, this one isn’t. You’ll speed things up here. Take a reaction ball, and working with a wall, bounce it off. React to its unpredictable trajectory by catching it with both hands.
Shot-Stopping Drills
Catching and handling are crucial skills for making saves. When facing shots, a goalkeeper must be capable of catching or deflecting the ball safely, preventing it from reaching the back of the net. Proper technique in handling and catching can mean the difference between a successful save and a conceded goal. Shot stopping drills can help you make that happen. What drills work best in this space? Try these.
Drill 1: Diving Saves
- Purpose: To practice diving and making saves at full stretch.
- Execution: Position yourself centrally in the goal, and have a coach or teammate take shots at varying heights. This will force you to dive in different directions to make saves in a variety of places around the goal, stretching your body differently again and again.
Drill 2: Rapid-Fire Shooting
- Purpose: To enhance shot-stopping reflexes and handling multiple shots in quick succession.
- Execution: You’ll need more than one teammate for this drill. Your goal here is to have multiple shooters take shots at you in rapid succession. This helps you get in your game mindset, as it works to simulate the game-like scenario that you’ll be in with lots of potential threats crossing the line. Your job with this drill is to stop every one of them in that quick space of time.
Footwork and Agility Drills
Footwork and agility drills enhance your mobility, enabling you to move quickly and efficiently across the goal line. By practising various footwork patterns, you become more agile and can reposition yourself swiftly to respond to shots and crosses from different angles. Remember, you have to be in the right place at the right time to make saves. Agility drills can help you develop the ability to read the game, anticipate the trajectory of the ball, and position yourself optimally.
Drill 1: Ladder Drills
- Purpose: To improve footwork, agility, and quick movements.
- Execution: Set up an agility ladder and perform ladder drills, focusing on precise foot placement and quick changes of direction. There are several different drills within this one that you may want to try. If you want to go in and out, step one foot in a ladder box, and bring the other foot in quickly. Move through the ladder this way. You may want to try do side-to-side drill, too. Just move laterally, stepping both feet inside each box before you move on to the next one. Try a crossover drill, too, where you cross one foot over the other inside each box as you move down the ladder to help enhance your agility.
Drill 2: Cone Dribbling
- Purpose: To work on balance and agility while dribbling around cones.
- Execution: Place a series of cones in a zigzag pattern. Dribble the ball through them using quick, controlled touches with your feet. Do it again and a higher rate of speed. Then try it at a lower rate of speed. It will work to improve your footwork and coordination.
Distribution and Passing Drills
Distribution and passing drills are essential for goalkeepers because they focus on improving their ability to effectively distribute the ball to teammates during matches. A goalkeeper’s distribution skills are critical for initiating attacks, relieving pressure, and maintaining possession. Here are a few drills that may help.
Drill 1: Goal Kicks
- Purpose: To improve goal kicks for accurate distribution. It means developing the technique and power required to send the ball accurately and over long distances.
- Execution: Start by mastering traditional form in this one with the ball just outside your box. Then, set up various targets on the field. Cones or markers will work. Start with larger, easier ones to reach, then work your way down to smaller ones from there. Begin working with the shorter distance kicks for accuracy. As you make certain you can hit those, follow through to the longer distance targets.
Drill 2: Throw Distribution
- Purpose: To enhance your throwing accuracy and distance.
- Execution: Set up various targets on the field for your throw distribution. These targets could be teammates, cones, markers, or specific areas within the field. Begin your practice with short-distance throws to build accuracy and technique. Gradually increase the distance to simulate different game scenarios where you might need to make long throws. Consistency is key. Repeat your throw distribution drills many times during each practice session to build muscle memory and improve accuracy.
Positioning and Decision-Making Drills
Positioning and decision-making drills are critically important for goalkeepers because they directly impact your ability to effectively defend the goal and make the right choices in high-pressure situations. Decision-making drills can help you anticipate the ball’s trajectory and decide whether to catch, parry, or deflect it, reducing the risk of rebounds that opponents could capitalise on. Positioning is essential when dealing with crosses, corner kicks, and other aerial threats. Goalkeepers need to be in the right position to intercept or catch the incoming ball, and these drills can help with that.
Drill 1: Shot Decision Drill
- Purpose: To improve decision-making on when to come off your line.
- Execution: Use teammates, coaches, or training partners to take shots on goal. Position the shooter or shooters in various locations around the penalty area. This can include central positions, angles, and even close-range shots to simulate different scenarios. Instruct the shooters to take different types of shots, such as low drives, high shots, near-post attempts, far-post attempts, and volleys. Encourage shooters to mix up the shots to keep you guessing. As you work to make a decision about each shot, think about factors like the shooter’s position, the angle of the shot, the speed of the ball, and the goalkeeper’s ability to reach the ball. Have someone record the drill so you can analyse your own weaknesses later.
Drill 2: Cross Collection Drills
- Purpose: To hone your ability to collect crosses and corner kicks confidently.
- Execution: Work with teammates or coaches to practice positioning, timing, and technique for catching or punching crosses. Start by positioning one or more players to serve as crossers. They should take up positions on the wings or near the corner flags to simulate different crossing angles and situations. Instruct the crossers to deliver crosses into the penalty area in various ways. This includes high crosses, low crosses, near-post crosses, far-post crosses, and crosses into the six-yard box. Encourage them to mix things up to keep you guessing. As the goalkeeper, focus on your positioning and timing. Anticipate the flight of the ball and position yourself to intercept or catch it confidently. You should also consider factors such as the location of the cross, the number of attackers in the box, and the direction of the wind. After collecting the cross, focus on quick recovery and distribution. If you catch the ball, aim for a quick and accurate throw or distribution to initiate a counterattack if possible.
Reaching the Goal Line!
As a goalkeeper, consistent training and dedication are essential to becoming a reliable last line of defence for your team. The 10 essential drills can help with various aspects of goalkeeping, from basic catching skills to advanced decision-making and distribution techniques. Incorporate these drills into your training routine, focusing on specific areas that need improvement. Another thing that can help is the right equipment. Take a closer look at our gear now!
Remember that progress takes time and patience, so stay committed to your development as a goalkeeper. Additionally, seek guidance and feedback from coaches and experienced goalkeepers to fine-tune your techniques and strategies.
By regularly practising these drills and refining your skills, you’ll be better prepared to face the challenges of the game, make crucial saves, and be a formidable presence in the goal. Embrace the journey, embrace the grind, and watch your goalkeeping abilities soar to new heights.