1-to-1 Goalkeeper Handling

Objectives

• -Sharpen handling and set position
• -React to unpredictable rebounds
• -Build individual keeper confidence

How to set it up

1. 1Mark out the working area at Goal area. Put a cone on each corner so the boundary is obvious to the players.
2. 2Goal with a supply of balls and a rebound board to one side.
3. 3Cones mark the set position line.
4. 4Coach serves from 10 yards.
5. 5Place the goals before you start and check the run-off behind them is clear and safe.
6. 6Kit for this practice: Balls, Cones, Full Goals, Rebound Boards. Keep a supply of spare balls beside the coach so a lost ball never stops the practice.
7. 7Work one-to-one: the coach or a partner serves while the working player takes every repetition.
8. 8Set 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. 2Twenty low, mid and high catches from a static serve.
3. 3Twenty saves from balls played into the rebound board.
4. 4Finish with ten diving saves each side.
5. 5The working player recovers back to the start position between repetitions while the server collects the ball.
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 4 rounds of roughly 4 minutes inside the 15 minute slot.
• -Give 45-60 seconds of rest between rounds so the quality of the work stays high, and use that gap for your coaching point.
• -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

• -Moving before setting
• -Hands too close together on high catches
• -Staying on the floor after a save
• -Standing still and watching instead of moving into the next position