The following session has been submitted by Michael Sharp of the Scottish Football Association – it is taken from their successful “Youth Action Plan,” an initiative that involoves improving the quality of coaching, player development, coaching education at all levels within Scotland. Michael 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. Michael is a licensed football coach with 15 years experience preparing young footballers to advance to the professional ranks.

Activity #1:

Warm Up

Four goalkeepers are positioned inside a coned area as shown. Cones are approximately 5-10yds apart.

Explanation:

Goalkeepers move between balls or disks, listening to calls from the coach. Side Ways, Skipping, heels up, knees up, etc

Coaching Points:

• Perform various dynamic movements / stretches – lunges side-lunges, leg swings, etc
• Leg movements, and flexibility – ensure players are moving freely and not in an awkward fashion.

Activity #2:

Skill Practice Exercise: Sequence Passing

Set Up:

Four goalkeepers are positioned inside the 20x20yd coned area as shown.

Explanation:

Goalkeepers move in the box area passing the ball to each other in a sequence defined by the coach – for example: Coach calls “1,4,2,3” – layers must pass in that sequence.

Progressions:

Different ball can be used, rugby ball, tennis balls, and footballs. To progress the exercise add a 2nd ball and vary the choice of throws between the goalkeepers. Loft Throw, over arm throw etc.

Coaching Points:

• Hands in front of body
• Hands behind the ball to catch
• If below chest height use the “basket” to catch – curved arms into body

Activity #3:

Technical Practice

Set Up:

Cones are placed as shown. Two goalkeepers (A) are positioned with balls at one side of the area as shown.

Explanation:

Goalkeepers (B) vary movements through cones – lateral, forward, side-shuffle etc – before receiving a ball from (A). Goalkeepers (A) can vary their service – volleys, half-volleys, throws, high balls, low balls etc.
Change servers after assigned number of reps.

Coaching Points:

• Quality of technique
• Footwork through cones
• Hands in front of body, “W” shape (hands behind the ball), If below chest height take ball into the basket (curved arms into body)

Activity #4:

Technical Practice

Set Up:

Goalkeeper (A) is positioned in goal: Goalkeepers (B) are positioned approximately 12 yards away with a supply of balls and act as servers. The fourth goalkeeper performs stretching / abdominal training routine.

Explanation:

Goalkeeper (A) moves laterally receiving varied delivery from both servers (B). Servers vary type of ball:

1. Low service
2. Medium Balls
3. High Balls

Perform 8-10 repetitions – then switch working GK to avoid fatigue.

Coaching Points:

• Short Step Forward
• Hands forward of body line
• Head and eyes looking at the ball
• Chest facing out, (not a swimming pool dive)
• Ball on ground, then keeper takes ball with one hand behind and one hand on top of
• ball, use ground as third hand.
• Back to feet as quickly as possible.
• Push off with hand and leg keeping body weight forward.

Activity #5

Technical Practice

Set Up:

Goalkeeper (A) is positioned in goal: Goalkeepers (B) are positioned at two different angles as shown The fourth goalkeeper performs stretching / abdominal training routine.

Explanation:

Goalkeeper (A) moves laterally receiving a “near-post” shot from (B). Player (B) then quickly passes a “cut-back” ball to (C) – the goalkeeper (A) must quickly regain his feet to adjust to this new ball position. (C) then attampts to score towards the far-post area – goalkeeper must attempt to save all shots.
Rotate goalkeepers after 4-6 repetitions.

Coaching Points:

• Short Step Forward
• Hands forward of body line
• Ball on ground, then keeper takes ball with one hand behind and one hand on top of ball, use ground as third hand.
• Back to feet as quickly as possible
• Push of with hand and leg keeping body weight forward

Final Activity

Conditioned Game

Set Up:

Teams are organised on a small pitch with full-size goals as shown.

Explanation:

Both teams compete for possession of the ball and attempt to score in their opponents goal. Teams are encouraged to shoot from distance to test the goalkeeers.

Coaching Points:

• Goalkeepers must anticipate the play – be ready.
• Focus on previous technical aspects – handling, footwork etc.
• Communication with teammates.

Progression:

• Players awarded extra points for shooting / scoring from own half.
• Goalkeepers join the other players for a 5v5 – 8v8 (depending on mumbers) small-sided game.