Goalkeeper Handling Progression
A goalkeeper warm-up from 8 m: catches at chest height, low balls scooped, high balls above the head and balls to the side, all with correct hand shape.
- Age
- U11–Senior
- Players
- 2–4
- Duration
- 12 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 16 × 10 m
- Type
- Technical
- Approach
- Analytical
- Format
- Circuit
- Objectives
- Technical: Goalkeeping
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Shot-stoppingGoalkeeper positioning
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Goalkeeper
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Safe handling is the foundation of goalkeeping. This progression warms up the hands and the footwork with controlled strikes or throws from a server, from the easiest catch (chest) to the hardest (low to the side). Every ball must be held, not parried.
Objective
Catch the ball securely at different heights with the correct hand shape and body behind the ball.
Organisation
- Goalkeeper in goal, a server (coach or goalkeeper) 8 m away with 8–10 balls.
How it works
- Series of 8 balls each: 1) volleys to the chest, 2) ground balls straight at the keeper (scoop), 3) balls above the head (W catch), 4) balls one step to each side.
- After each catch, roll the ball back and reset the set position.
- Swap with the second goalkeeper after every series.
Coaching points
- Set position before the strike: feet shoulder-width, weight forward, hands ready.
- High ball: W shape with thumbs together.
- Low ball: little fingers together, body behind the ball.
- Move the feet to the ball, do not just reach with the hands.
Progressions
- Increase the speed of the serves.
- Add a step forward before each catch.
Regressions
- Throw the balls with the hands from 5 m.
Variations
- Server alternates right and left foot without warning.
Key principles
- Body behind the ball.
- Hold everything you can.
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