Goalkeeper drills for kids
Keepers often get left out of training. These practices give them proper work while the outfield players train too.
Goalkeeper drills for young keepers should cover the basics in a fun way: ready position, catching shapes, diving from the knees, and distribution, with lots of repetitions and success.
Ready position and catching
The coach serves from close range to the keeper's chest, body and feet. Builds the ready position and the three basic catching shapes.
U7 to U14 · 1 to 4 keepers players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Diving from the knees
Keepers practise low saves from a kneeling start, so they learn the shape of a dive without the fear of falling.
U8 to U14 · 1 to 4 keepers players · 10 mins
See the drill →Keeper footwork and set position
Keepers shuffle across the goal between cones and get set before each shot. Good footwork and being set as the ball is struck save more goals than diving.
U8 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers players · 10 mins
See the drill →Keeper high catches (crosses)
Servers lob balls into the six-yard box and the keeper attacks them at the highest point. Builds confidence coming for crosses, the area most young keepers fear.
U10 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers plus servers players · 10 mins
See the drill →Keeper one-on-ones (close down and smother)
Attackers dribble in from 20 metres and the keeper closes them down, makes themselves big and smothers or blocks. Teaches the brave, sensible one-on-one technique.
U10 to adult · 1 keeper plus 4 to 8 attackers players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Keeper distribution to targets
Keepers roll, throw and pass to targets in zones at different distances. Good distribution starts attacks, and at Future Fit ages it's half the keeper's job.
U9 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers plus 3 to 4 targets players · 10 mins
See the drill →Keeper reaction saves
The keeper's view is blocked until late by a cone line or mannequin, so they have to react to the ball. Sharpens reflexes and quick feet.
U9 to adult · 1 to 2 keepers plus a server players · 8 to 10 mins
See the drill →Keeper collapse saves (low balls)
Low shots just to the side of the keeper, who collapses sideways to save. The most common save in youth football, and safer than diving.
U8 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers plus a server players · 10 mins
See the drill →Keeper standing dive (extended saves)
Keepers progress from kneeling to standing dives to save shots towards the corners. Teaches the power step, take-off and safe landing.
U10 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers plus a server players · 10 mins
See the drill →Back-pass and play out
A defender plays a back-pass to the keeper, an attacker presses, and the keeper must play out to a wide target. Builds the keeper's composure with feet under pressure.
U9 to adult · Keeper plus 3 to 5 players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Angles and the arc (keeper positioning)
Shooters around the box take turns; the keeper moves along an imaginary arc to cut the angle before each shot. Good positioning makes saves easier.
U10 to adult · 1 to 3 keepers plus servers players · 10 mins
See the drill →Tipping over the bar
Servers lob balls towards the top of the goal and the keeper tips them over the bar. Teaches when to catch and when to deflect safely.
U11 to adult · 1 to 3 keepers plus a server players · 8 mins
See the drill →Goal-kick technique
Keepers practise goal kicks to short and long targets, focusing on approach, plant foot and contact. Reliable kicking turns defence into attack.
U9 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers plus targets players · 10 mins
See the drill →Punching under pressure
When catching isn't safe in a crowded box, keepers punch clear. Practise two-fisted and one-fisted punches from served crosses, with light pressure.
U13 to adult · 1 to 3 keepers plus servers players · 10 mins
See the drill →Pre-match keeper warm-up
A set routine: handling, footwork, low saves, high balls and a few shots, building from easy to match pace. Keepers go into games confident and switched on.
U9 to adult · 1 keeper plus a coach or parent players · 12 to 15 mins
See the drill →Save, recover, save again
The keeper makes a save, gets up quickly and faces a second shot from a different angle. Builds the recovery speed that rebounds demand.
U10 to adult · 1 to 3 keepers plus 2 servers players · 10 mins
See the drill →Handling bouncing shots (wet-day handling)
Shots that bounce just in front of the keeper, the hardest to handle on a wet or bumpy pitch. Teaches getting the body behind the ball and scooping safely.
U10 to adult · 1 to 3 keepers plus a server players · 8 mins
See the drill →Organise your defence (communication)
Attackers build an attack while the keeper must talk the defenders into position with clear, short calls. Teaches the keeper to lead and organise.
U11 to adult · Keeper plus 4 to 6 defenders and attackers players · 15 mins
See the drill →Sweeper keeper: through balls
A through ball is played into space between the keeper and a striker; the keeper decides whether to come out and clear or stay. Teaches judging speed and distance.
U10 to adult · Keeper plus 4 to 8 attackers players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →Keeper wars
Two keepers face each other in goals 20 metres apart, scoring by throwing, rolling or kicking past each other. Saves, distribution and competition rolled into one.
U8 to adult · 2 keepers (or more in turns) players · 8 to 10 mins
See the drill →Penalty saving practice
Keepers practise staying on their line, reading the taker's body and reacting late to save penalties. Simple techniques that make a real difference in shoot-outs.
U10 to adult · 1 keeper plus takers players · 10 mins
See the drill →Building a session?
Tell the free session planner your age group, numbers and what to work on, and it builds a full session from drills like these.
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