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:
- Low service
- Medium Balls
- 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.