By Wayne Henderson -
Goalkeepers need to be on their toes, alert and have a high level of focus at all times. This session involves quick movement, decision making and reaction speed. I frequently use this or a variation of this session with our 1st team Goalkeepers, because I think it replicates situations that occur regularly in matches. If you watch goalkeepers in any of the top leagues worldwide you will see goalkeepers with outstanding reactions in the EPL a great example of this is Tottenham Hotspur’s French international Hugo Lloris
Coaching Points
The first movement is the head turning to watch the ball as much as possible, and at the same time the goalkeeper must try and make the first step on the turn a quick, aggressive step, getting into position as quickly as possible
The Keeper always stays in a good ready position throughout the drill, you must always be ready to make a save and in a good position to do so.
When the striker is making contact with the ball, the ‘keeper must try and be in a balanced set position – this is the hardest aspect of the drill, because if the goalkeeper is performing this drill at a high tempo (which is exactly what we are looking for) it takes a great deal of technique and concentration to get into a balanced set positon quickly.
It is important that the goalkeeper does not gamble or guess where the ball is going, I am looking for my ‘keeper to be in control throughout the drill, and react as quickly as possible.
Drill 1
Equipment / Players
6-10 footballs, 2 goalkeepers, 2 goals, 1 feeder and 1 striker. All positions can be rotated.
Starting position
Goalkeepers 1 and 2 start in front post area and when the ball is fed into striker, both goalkeepers move into position to be set for striker making 1 touch finish. The striker then has the decision of which goal to shoot at. If the ball is spilled by the goalkeeper he/she must react quickly to collect the loose ball
Progression
6-10 footballs, 3 goalkeepers, 3 goals, 1 feeder and 1 striker, as before all positons can be rotated.
As before, the goalkeepers starting position is dictated by the position of the ball in relation to goal they are defending.
Ball can be fed in from a variation of areas (wider or more central area)
When the ball is fed in, the striker has the option of leaving the ball or giving a slight deflection to go through to goal number 2 or striking 1st time at either goal number 1 or 3. As a result all 3 goalkeepers must be alert at all times and even if the shot is not directed towards their goal they will still be moving quickly across their goalmouth and getting into the balanced set position in anticipation of a shot on target
By Wayne Henderson
