Michael Sharp is a Regional Development Manager for the Scottish Football Association. As part of his role with the Scottish FA he coordinates, develops and implements training curriculums utilizing innovative age-appropriate concepts for youth coaches and players. The following session is primarily aimed at youth players around 14 years-old.  Michael is a licensed football coach with 15 years experience preparing young footballers to advance to the professional ranks.

*At SoccerSpecific.com we are proud of our relationship with the Scottish FA – they have chosen our SESSION PLANNER graphics to create their training curriculums.  The following session was created using our SESSION PLANNER software!

Goalkeeper Distribution U-14

Activity #1 Warm Up:

Set Up:
Two goalkeepers are positioned around the six-yard box as shown in Diagram (a) below. Two servers (1,2) are positioned just outside the 18-yard box with a supply of balls.

Instructions:
The ball is played on the ground by player (1).  Goalkeeper takes touch with left foot and plays ball with right foot to player (2).   He then takes the ball from player (2) across the body and passes to player (1) with left foot.

Coaching Points:

• Awareness of space and players movement before pass is played.
• Weight and angle of pass.
• Encourage use of both feet.

PROGRESSION:
Extend the length the Goalkeeper has to kick the ball, Players 1 and 2 can move to the position of 3 and 4. **Goalkeepers can also throw, kick from hands to increase range and different distribution techniques.

Activity #2:

Set Up:
Two goalkeepers are positioned inside the 18-yard box as shown in Diagram (b) below.  Servers (1,2) are positioned approximately 10 yards away with a supply of balls.

Instructions:
Players (1) and (2) pass to the respective goalkeepers.  They then, in turn, take a touch and try to pass the ball into the coned areas.

Coaching Points:
This practice can be varied by:

• Limiting the amount of touches: 1-touch / 2-touch etc
• Servers pressuring the goalkeeper after the initial pass.
• Diagonal passes into opposite coned area.

Activity #3:

Set Up:
Four Goalkeepers (1,2,3,4) are positioned inside grids approximately 30 yards apart as shown below.  Two additional players (goalkeepers should be used if available) are positioned in the central area.

Instructions:
The goalkeepers in the box pass the ball back and forth.
One of the goalkeepers takes a touch and tries to find the other goalkeepers in the opposite grid.  Players in the middle area should attempt to stop the ball from going into the opposite grid.

Coaching Points:

• Weight, angle and timing of passes.
• Body shape depending on if the pass is lofted or driven, plant foot next to ball, good posture.
• Accuracy is important – must land in box with opposite goalkeeper.

PROGRESSION:
Players use left foot only, right foot only, weaker foot.

Activity #4 Conditioned Game:

Set Up:
An 8v8 is organised as shown below **Numbers may vary depending on size of squad or players available.

Instructions:
Both teams compete for possession of the ball and attempt to score in their opponents goal.  Goalkeepers are encouraged to show good distribution with hands as well as feet.

Coaching Points:

• Coach goalkeepers to play to a defenders stronger foot / front-foot.
• Play the pass to the safe side of the player.
• Encourage a variety of passes.

Activity #5 Cool Down:

Set Up:
One team is organised with a ball each as shown below.  The other team moves freely with NO ball.

Instructions:
Half the group dribble freely in a defined area, whilst the other half follow, then stop to perform various static stretching activities. Switch group every 60 seconds. Players in possession can attempt to “nutmeg” or pass around and retrieve players performing stretches.

Coaching Points:

• Ensure the players slow the work rate down over the course of the cool down and decrease their heart rate.
• Players should also be encouraged to do perform static stretches 2 hours after the end of the training session.