Goalkeeper drills
Goalkeeper drills cover the ready position, handling, diving, dealing with crosses and distribution. Young keepers also need to train as outfield players: footwork and passing matter more than ever.
Ready position and catching
U7 to U14 · 1 to 4 keepers
Diving from the knees
U8 to U14 · 1 to 4 keepers
Playing out from the back 3v2 (plus keeper)
U9 to adult · 6 to 8
Retreat line build-up game (Future Fit)
U8 to U11 · 10 to 14 including keepers
Split centre-backs and the dropping midfielder
U12 to adult · 8 to 10 plus a keeper
Defending crosses in the box
U11 to adult · 8 to 12 plus a keeper
Keeper footwork and set position
U8 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers
Keeper high catches (crosses)
U10 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers plus servers
Keeper one-on-ones (close down and smother)
U10 to adult · 1 keeper plus 4 to 8 attackers
Keeper distribution to targets
U9 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers plus 3 to 4 targets
Keeper reaction saves
U9 to adult · 1 to 2 keepers plus a server
Keeper rondo (5v2 with the keeper)
U10 to adult · 7 to 8
Possession with the keeper as sweeper
U10 to adult · 11 to 15 with keepers
Keeper collapse saves (low balls)
U8 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers plus a server
Keeper standing dive (extended saves)
U10 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers plus a server
Back-pass and play out
U9 to adult · Keeper plus 3 to 5
Angles and the arc (keeper positioning)
U10 to adult · 1 to 3 keepers plus servers
Tipping over the bar
U11 to adult · 1 to 3 keepers plus a server
Goal-kick technique
U9 to adult · 1 to 4 keepers plus targets
Punching under pressure
U13 to adult · 1 to 3 keepers plus servers
Pre-match keeper warm-up
U9 to adult · 1 keeper plus a coach or parent
Save, recover, save again
U10 to adult · 1 to 3 keepers plus 2 servers
Handling bouncing shots (wet-day handling)
U10 to adult · 1 to 3 keepers plus a server
Organise your defence (communication)
U11 to adult · Keeper plus 4 to 6 defenders and attackers
Sweeper keeper: through balls
U10 to adult · Keeper plus 4 to 8 attackers
Keeper wars
U8 to adult · 2 keepers (or more in turns)
Penalty saving practice
U10 to adult · 1 keeper plus takers
Goal kick: short to the full-back
U10 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper
Keeper to centre-back to the 6 (pivot turns)
U11 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper
Beat the first line (4v3 plus keeper)
U10 to adult · 8 plus a keeper
Back three against a two-striker press
U12 to adult · 7 to 10 plus a keeper
Build-up to midfield gates (6v4)
U11 to adult · 10 plus a keeper
Long ball and the second ball
U12 to adult · 8 to 14 plus a keeper
Find the free player
U10 to adult · 9 to 13 plus a keeper
Inverted full-back build-up
U14 to adult · 8 to 12 plus a keeper
Keeper roll-out and support angles (5v5)
U7 to U10 · 5 to 10 plus a keeper
The 6 drops between the centre-backs
U12 to adult · 7 to 10 plus a keeper
Vertical pass and lay-off out of pressure
U11 to adult · 8 to 12 plus a keeper
Switch across the back line
U11 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper
Progressive build-up waves (3v2, 4v3, 5v4)
U10 to adult · 9 to 15 plus a keeper
Escape the wide trap
U12 to adult · 6 to 9 plus a keeper
Box midfield build-up (2+2)
U13 to adult · 8 to 12 plus a keeper
Centre-back step-in (carry the ball forward)
U11 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper
Phase of play: 7v6 build-up with counter goals
U12 to adult · 13 plus a keeper
Keeper starts the counter
U10 to adult · 8 to 12 plus 2 keepers
Centre-backs: find the free goal
U11 to adult · 4 to 6
Holding midfielder: always be diagonal
U11 to adult · 5 to 7 plus a keeper
Full-back: receive, drive, combine
U11 to adult · 4 to 8
Number 10: find the pocket and turn
U11 to adult · 5 to 8
Short to go long: switch through the pivot
U12 to adult · 6 to 10
By position: Goalkeeping · Defending · Midfield · Attacking · Football positions explained
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