Goalkeeper drills football

1. Goalkeeper Angles & Set Position

Narrow the angle and take a strong starting position

Set up

One full goal with a keeper on the line. Three cones mark shooting positions left, central and right. A server stands at each cone with a ball.

Coaching points

Feet shoulder-width and weight on the balls of the feet. Hands out in front of the body line. Move on an arc rather than across the goal line, and set before the ball is struck.

Make it harder

Add a deflection or blocking mannequin so the keeper has to react late, or introduce a second whistle so shots are struck only when the keeper is set.

2. Goalkeeper Low Diving Saves

Safe collapse diving technique and strong hands

Set up

Two cones three yards apart form a mini goal. The keeper starts kneeling or standing in the middle with a server two yards in front.

Coaching points

Bottom hand gets behind the ball, top hand lands on top. Land on the side, not the front or elbow. Keep the head steady and eyes on the ball, pulling the ball into the chest on landing.

Make it harder

Have the server strike rather than roll the ball, or add a second ball for a quick double save.

3. Goalkeeper Crosses & Claims

Command the box and decide between claim, punch and stay

Set up

Full goal with a keeper, two crossers in wide areas, one attacker and one defender in the six-yard box. Balls are stacked with each crosser.

Coaching points

Make a loud, early call: keeper's or away. Take off on one foot and catch at the top of the jump, leading knee up for protection. Start position level with the near-post area.

Make it harder

Add a second attacker in the box or whip the cross in firmly so the keeper has to judge flight under pressure.

4. Goalkeeper Distribution & Kicking

Accurate short, medium and long distribution with both feet

Set up

Keeper in a full goal with a ball supply. Mark target zones at 15, 30 and 45 yards, with two receivers in the wide short options.

Coaching points

Plant foot points at the target. Strike through the middle of the ball for a driven pass. Scan the pitch before receiving the ball back and keep the non-kicking arm out for balance.

Make it harder

Add a light presser to force the keeper to choose the right pass, or limit to one touch out of the feet before striking.

5. Goalkeeper 1v1 Breakaways

Close space, stay big and make the save in a 1v1

Set up

Full goal with a keeper on the line. An attacker starts 25 yards out with a ball and a cone at 12 yards marks the pressing reference.

Coaching points

Fast out, slow to set as the attacker takes a touch. Stay tall until the shot is committed, hands low and wide for the block save. Force the attacker away from the middle of the goal.

Make it harder

Add a recovering defender so the keeper can delay rather than dive, or start the attacker from a wide angle.

6. Goalkeeper Reaction & Reflex Wall

Sharpen reaction speed and handling to unpredictable balls

Set up

A rebound board or wall sits two yards from the keeper, with a mini goal behind marked by cones. A server with three balls stands behind the keeper.

Coaching points

Small, bouncy feet in the set position. Strong wrists and firm hands on contact. Track the ball right into the hands and recover to set instantly after each save.

Make it harder

Fire two balls in quick succession, or have the keeper start sitting or kneeling so the first movement is an explosive rise.

7. Sweeper Keeper Back Pass Practice

Play out under pressure and sweep behind the defence

Set up

Full goal with a keeper and a back three. Two pressing forwards in bibs and two outlet targets on the halfway line.

Coaching points

Open body shape before the ball arrives. First touch out of the feet away from the presser. Talk early so defenders know the plan, then attack the sweeping ball decisively.

Make it harder

Add a third presser or cap the keeper to two touches so decisions have to be made quickly.

8. Goalkeeper Saves Through Traffic

See the ball late and adjust through bodies and deflections

Set up

Full goal with a keeper on the line. Two poles or mannequins on the edge of the box screen the shot, with shooters on the D and a second shooter for rebounds.

Coaching points

Set slightly deeper when the sight line is blocked. Move sideways to find a gap through the traffic. Save, then get straight back to a strong set position and push saves wide of the goal.

Make it harder

Make the rebound attacker live, or add a deflecting defender's leg so the keeper has to adjust in flight.

What are the best goalkeeper drills for football training?

The most useful goalkeeper drills cover shot stopping, low diving, crosses, distribution, 1v1 breakaways and reflex work. Angles and set position, low diving saves, crosses and claims, and distribution and kicking give keepers a complete technical base in every session.

At what age should young players start dedicated goalkeeper training?

Goalkeepers can start light, fun handling work from around age 8. Keep sessions short, use soft balls and focus on enjoyment and safe technique. Structured diving and distribution work suits ages 10 and up, always with safety and confidence as the first priorities.

How do I make goalkeeper training fun and competitive?

Use points, races and personal bests. Challenge keepers to score five saves in a row, time their reaction rounds, or compete against a partner in a low-diving duel. Keep the ball moving and praise the process, not just the result.

How often should a goalkeeper train separately from the team?

A dedicated 15-20 minute goalkeeper block once or twice a week is ideal at grassroots level. The rest of the time the keeper can join in with the team for footwork, distribution games and small-sided games, so their training still looks like football.

What equipment do I need for grassroots goalkeeper drills?

A full goal or two mini goals, footballs, cones and a few bibs are enough for most sessions. Rebound boards and poles are useful extras for reflex and traffic work, but not essential to start.

How do I coach a goalkeeper to be braver in 1v1s?

Teach them to delay and stay big rather than dive early. Start with slow, half-pace approaches so they experience success, then raise the speed. Praise staying on their feet and forcing the attacker wide, and only progress to contact when technique and confidence are solid.