By Jakub Pietrzak,
Presented below are drills that focus on improving the ability of handling and catching the ball. That’s the basic skill for a goalkeeper at any level. Currently we see a big trend among the goalkeepers, being very good with the ball at their feet and playing far away from their goal. Despite that, handling is still a skill that has to be at a fantastic level if you want your goalkeepers to progress in the game. All the drills have a physical aspect and aim to improve the goalkeeper's movement.
Drill 1
Needed: 3 balls, 1 cone
Number: 4 goalkeepers
4 goalkeepers positioned as in the graphic. Goalkeeper A moves in the area between the post and the cone. Other goalkeepers keep throwing the ball above his head with high frequency. Goalkeeper A passes the ball back using his hands only as quickly as possible and reacts quickly to another ball. Rotate goalkeepers every 15-20 times.
Drill 2
Needed: 2 balls
Number: 4 goalkeepers
4 goalkeepers positioned as in the graphic start the drill in 2 pairs. In each pair the goalkeeper standing with his back to the other one bends over and throws the ball between his legs on the floor (1). After the throw he turns around to face the other goalkeeper (2) and catches the ball kicked by his partner (3). Can increase the difficulty and after throwing the ball the goalkeeper doesn’t turn and runs to the opposite goalkeeper in the other pair who faces him.
Drill 3
Needed: 4 balls
Number: 4 goalkeepers
4 goalkeepers positioned as in the graphic. Goalkeeper B lying on the floor facing goalkeeper A, curls the ball on the floor to him (1). After that he turns himself to the side through his back to any side (2). Goalkeeper C has to catch the ball to the side opposite to the movement of goalkeeper B. Goalkeeper A then strikes the ball to goalkeeper C (3) who has limited vision because of the movement of his partners and has to catch the ball.
By Jakub Pietrzak
