Goalkeeping

Finishing Goalkeeper Handling Ladder

Build clean, repeatable handling

Goalkeeping
Speed & Agility

Build clean, repeatable handling. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

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Goalkeeping
Speed & Agility
Technical Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Small Group
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Finishing

Age

Under 8 to Adults

Duration

16 min

Players

1-6

Area / pitch size

22 x 16 yards

Difficulty

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones, Full Goals

Coaching focus

Build clean, repeatable handling

Objective

  • -Build clean, repeatable handling
  • -Set the feet before every save
  • -Work through low, mid and high service

Setup

  1. 1A goal with three service cones in an arc in front of it in a 22 x 16 yards area.
  2. 2Set a goal at the end of the area with a keeper or a target zone if no keeper is available.
  3. 3A supply of balls at each service cone.

How to play

  1. 1Server works through low, waist-height and high service in turn.
  2. 2The keeper resets to the middle of the goal after every save.
  3. 3Ten saves per set with a short rest between sets.
  4. 4Every sequence starts with a pass out and ends with a strike on goal.
  5. 5Goals score one, first-time finishes score two, and rebounds must be followed in.

Coaching points

  • -Hands early, thumbs behind the ball
  • -Set before the strike
  • -Attack the ball, don't wait
  • -Head up before the strike — pick the side, then commit

Progressions

  • +Cap the sequence at one touch before the strike
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Remove the keeper and finish into a wide target goal
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Coach can throw in a second ball for an instant rebound finish
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -Handling with the arms out straight
  • -Moving as the ball is struck
  • -Rushing the shot and leaning back over the ball

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