Training for Goalkeepers

The goalkeeper is the last defender on a soccer field, and often the only obstacle that remains between an opposition striker and the back of the net. Not only is it his job to save shots and prevent goals being conceded, he must also organise his defense through vocal communication, create attacking opportunities from effective distribution and leap in at an attacker's feet to snuff out shooting opportunities. These skills can be honed through rigorous and often repetitive training.

  1. Head/Catch

    • For a goalkeeper, having ultra-sharp reflexes is an absolute must. While natural keepers will be born with these reflexes, they can also be honed using training exercises. Stand two keepers opposite one another with you between them. Throw the ball alternately to each keeper shouting either "head" or "catch" at which command the keeper must either head the ball back to you or catch it and throw it back. Speed it up to increase the difficulty or play opposites to test their reactions even more; for example, if you shout "catch" they must instead head the ball back to you, and vice versa.

    Strong Hands

    • In the heat of a game, saving an effort on goal can be only half the job done. Many keepers will parry the original shot onto the foot of an opposing forward who can easily tap it in. An exercise to build up stronger hands will improve hand positioning on the ball and make your keeper more likely to hold on to the ball. Ask your keeper to do a sit up whilst holding the ball --- as he brings his body vertical he must hold out the ball, which you will then try and kick. The goalkeeper should be able to hold on to the ball without losing it if he is holding it strongly and correctly.

    Agility Exercises

    • If a keeper is to truly excel, he must be tremendously agile. Leaping from a standing position to reach a ball that is maybe eight to 10 feet away and travelling at some speed is not easy and must be worked at. Ask your keeper to throw the ball as high as he can, then crouch down, lie on his back, spread his arms out flat on the floor and then leap up and catch the ball before the second bounce. If this is too easy for him, ask him to lie on his front and then leap up.

    Corner Kick Game

    • The corner kick game is played on a small pitch with two teams of four outfield players and two goalkeepers. Four players on either side wait in the wings ready to be substituted on for a player when the ball goes out of play. When a ball does go out of play, the team who has possession gets to take a corner kick, at which point the defending keeper must quickly organise his area and defend it. This exercise helps all players get to grips with a fast paced game, while giving the keeper the confidence required to successfully organize his defense and command his area.