Gafferbook
Goalkeeping ยท U8 to U14

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 U14Ages
1 to 4 keepersPlayers
Goal on soft ground or matsArea
10 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Keeper kneeling in the middle of the goal.
  • Coach 4 to 5 m away rolls or throws balls to either side.

Equipment: Goal, balls, mat if available

How it works

  1. Coach serves low to one side.
  2. Keeper falls sideways, hands together behind the ball, landing on the side of the body, not the elbow.
  3. Progress to a crouch start, then standing.

Coaching points

  • Lead with your hands, not your body.
  • Land on your side, not your front or elbow.
  • Hold the ball, top hand behind, bottom hand on the side.
  • Get up quickly ready for the next one.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Roll the ball slowly
  • Very close

Make it harder

  • Standing start
  • Higher serves

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

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