Improving
Goalkeeper Reactions
Last update 24 May 1997.
Drill 1.
Requires a keeper and a server. They are 5 yds or so apart. The server holds a ball and the keeper faces away from the server. The server slaps the ball and then throws it at the keeper. When the keeper hears the slap, she turns to catch the ball. The server should make the throws easy at first to build confidence. The server increases the pace on the ball and the difficulty of the placement to keep up with the keepers skill.
Variation is to have the keeper stand in front of a wall facing the server. The server kicks the ball off the wall. The keeper turns and makes the save.
Drill 2.
Also requires a keeper and a server. The server is at the top of the penalty arc. The keeper sits on the penalty spot facing the goal. The server slaps the ball and then feeds a ball over the keeper towards the goal. The server should provide the keeper with enough time to stand, move towards the goal, turn and read the ball.
Drill 3.
For situations where the keeper is working alone. Sit down, holding the ball in your hands. Kick it high in the air. Stand quickly and catch the ball before it hits the ground.
Drill 4..
For a keeper working alone. Bounce the ball hard off your instep and toes. Dive on the ball before it gets out of playing distance.
Drill 5.
For keeper working along. Stand with ball in hand. Kick it high in the air. Make a front roll and catch the ball before it hits the ground.
More
drills for improving reactions
This drill is courtesy of Bill Wong:
One drill that works reactions well is done with the keeper on her back and a coach/keeper standing over her. The coach has a ball in each hand. The coach drops one ball to the keeper's right and she pushes the ball back up with both hands. As soon as the ball is pushed up, the second ball is dropped. Continue until a ball is dropped or the keeper collapses. This one is a great pre-game warm-up.
Phil Money provides the following drill for improving reaction. Thanks Phil.
A drill that I use for helping to improve and increase reaction time to the ball is a drill that my daughter calls, "probe the mind".
We stand only about a foot or so apart. She has her fingertips on her temples (this is where the "probing the mind" term comes from), and knees slightly flexed. I hold (drop) the ball at different heights (usually her chest height) and she has to catch it before it hits the ground. She tries to guess or anticipate when I will drop the ball and when this happens we stop and I tell her not to "fudge, just react". She will also sometimes start to bend forward trying to get an advantage, again, we stop and I tell her to straighten back up. Vary the speed of dropping the ball. Taking time in between drops or dropping it as soon as she returns to to me.
We keep count of consecutive catches and try to set new "world records" every time. This is a great drill that has worked for her. I hope I was clear in describing it.
Have the keeper hold a ball in her left hand. Then lean to the left and balance on her left leg. Have a ball served to her right and make the save with her right foot. Repeat 5 time. Then switch to make the save with her right foot.
Start at right post. Have ball served to middle of goal. Don't leave until ball is in the air. Make the save. Touch the left post. Have ball served to middle of goal as soon as you touch the post. Make save. Touch right post and continue. 5 reps then rest. Do 4 sets Make sure that the ball is served to where you can make the save.
Copyright 1996-2002 ŠLes Sparks
Les Sparks had the Goalkeeper's Corner website for the Carolina United Soccer Club from 1996 - 2002.
Created:
12/20/99
Last Updated:
06/04/03
Since
February 24, 1999
FastCounter by LinkExchange
Web Administrator Ken Gamble