Goalkeeper Reaction & Reflex Wall

Objectives

• -Sharpen reaction speed to unpredictable balls
• -Keep hands strong through the save
• -Warm the body up for keeper specific work

How to set it up

1. 1Mark out the working area at 8 x 6 yards. Put a cone on each corner so the boundary is obvious to the players.
2. 2Rebound board or wall two yards from the keeper.
3. 3Mini goal behind the keeper marked with cones.
4. 4Server with three balls behind the keeper.
5. 5Kit for this practice: Balls, Cones, Rebound Boards. Keep a supply of spare balls beside the coach so a lost ball never stops the practice.
6. 6Split 1-4 players into pairs or a group of three so nobody waits more than one repetition.
7. 7Set the area up before the players arrive, then walk them through the shape once at a jog before the first live repetition.

How to run it, step by step

1. 1Get the players into position and walk the first repetition through slowly so everybody knows where they start and where they go.
2. 2Server fires the ball into the board so it kicks up unpredictably.
3. 3Keeper reacts and saves or blocks whatever comes back.
4. 4Thirty seconds of work then thirty seconds rest, six rounds.
5. 5After their action each player follows their pass and joins the back of the next line, so everybody rotates through every position in the practice.
6. 6Every repetition finishes with a strike at goal. As soon as the ball leaves the striker's foot the next player starts, so the practice keeps flowing.
7. 7Freeze the practice once or twice per round, make one coaching point to the whole group, then restart immediately.

What each player does

Working player

Takes the repetition: receives, executes the goalkeeping action and finishes the sequence at match pace.

Server

Delivers a consistent, firm ball on the coach's call, then collects a spare ball ready for the next repetition.

Goalkeeper

Sets before every strike, works the save, then distributes to restart the next attack rather than kicking the ball away.

Waiting players

Stand behind the start cone with a ball ready, watch the repetition in front of them and step in the moment it finishes.

Coach

Stands where the whole picture is visible, serves or calls the start, and makes one clear point per freeze.

Timings and organisation

• -Run 3 rounds of roughly 3 minutes inside the 10 minute slot.
• -Build the intensity round by round and keep everybody moving — no long explanations while players stand still and get cold.
• -Rotate roles at the end of every round so each player works, serves and defends across the practice.
• -If the practice is too easy, move to a progression rather than adding more repetitions. If players are struggling, drop to a regression for one round and then build back up.

Common mistakes

• -Flinching and turning away from the ball
• -Feet planted so nothing is reachable
• -Soft hands letting the ball through
• -Standing still and watching instead of moving into the next position