Having enjoyed our festive break, we held two 60 minute sessions, one for each age group.
We were indoors, n a gym with hard floors, so had to improvise, using matts and focussing on angles, set positioning, footwork, distribution and catching.
Each session point/exercise has a link to the drill used – here
Each group begins with a thorough warm up
Older Keepers – 2001-2007
Five session points for this session;
- Basics – review handshape – here and review set position here
- Catching – improve handshake and catching – here
- Recovery/comfort off the line – build confidence recovering from diving/on ground – here
- Agility/Mental – testing the keepers’ mental agility and coping with discomfort – here
- Footwork – through cones/ladder and make a save here
Younger Keepers – 2008-2011
Four session points for this session;
- Basics – review handshape – here and review set position here
- Catching – improve handshake and catching – here
- Recovery/comfort off the line – build confidence recovering from diving/on ground – here
- Footwork – through cones/ladder and make a save here
Tips for coaches – Confidence Cohesion Technique
Any coach can utilize these drills with their keeper. The objectives are the same – enhance footwork, follow the ball better with the eyes, and judge the flight of the ball.
A coach can use any one of the drills independently, and involve multiple players, especially attackers, to sharpen their skills too.
Try to encourage the keeper to use these skills – their footwork, their eyes and reflexes, and be brave to make the judgement calls and decisions that will come up regularly in games.