8 Essential Soccer Drills for Goalies To Improve Shot Blocking Skills

The vital role of a goalkeeper is to keep the ball out of the net, which is the most challenging. Whether you’re playing at the amateur or professional level, the key to success is practice. This article provides 8 essential soccer drills for goalies to enhance their shot-blocking skills.

8 Beginner-Friendly Training Drills for Goalkeepers

Bounce Reaction Drill

bounce-reaction-drill-soccer

The aim of the Bounce Reaction Drill is to improve your reaction time and hand-eye coordination. You’ll need a partner and a soccer ball. Your partner will throw the ball to the ground and you’ll have to react quickly to catch it. Vary the speed and height of the bounce to make the drill more challenging.

Instruction:

  • Set up a cone or marker on the ground.
  • Stand facing the cone about 2-3 feet away.
  • Have a partner stand behind you, holding a tennis ball.
  • Your partner will drop the ball, and as soon as it bounces, you must react and catch it before it bounces again.
  • After you catch the ball, you can either throw it back to your partner or drop it and repeat the drill.

Also read: 10 Easy and Fun Soccer Drills For Kids With Handy Animations

Traffic Crosses Drill

traffic-crosses-drill-soccer-goalie
The Traffic Crosses Drill is one of the best soccer drills for goalies to improve footwork, agility, and reaction time (Source: SoccerCoachingPro)

In a game, you’ll face a lot of crosses from the opposing team. The Traffic Crosses Drill will help you sharpen your ability to deal with opponents. Set up some cones to represent attackers and have a teammate cross the ball to the cones. Your job is to come off your line and claim the ball. Vary the angle and height of the crosses to make the drill more challenging.

Instruction:

  • Set up four cones in a square shape, about 10-15 yards apart from each other.
  • Start at one cone and run diagonally to the opposite cone.
  • Once you reach the opposite cone, quickly change direction and run diagonally to the next cone.
  • Continue until you have gone around all four cones.
  • You can vary the drill by adding in a soccer ball and dribbling around the cones instead of running.

You can watch this soccer goalie training tutorial on how to catch crosses.

180 Degree Turn Drill

Goalkeepers need to be able to change direction quickly. The 180 Degree Turn Drill is for agility and footwork. Start by standing facing away from your partner. When they call your name, turn around and try to catch the ball they throw at you. Repeat the drill, varying the angle and height of the throw.

Instruction:

  • Set up two cones about 10 yards apart.
  • Start at one cone and sprint to the other cone.
  • Once you reach the cone, plant your outside foot and use it to pivot and turn 180 degrees.
  • Sprint back to the starting cone and repeat the drill, turning in the opposite direction.

Goalkeeper Reaction Drill

Shots can come from anywhere in a game situation. By practicing the Goalkeeper Reaction Drill, you can quickly improve your reaction time and positioning. Stand in goal while a teammate shoots balls at you from different angles. Your job is to make the save and control the rebound.

Instruction:

  • Set up two cones or markers on the ground, about 10-15 yards apart from each other.
  • Have a partner stand behind one cone, holding a soccer ball.
  • You stand in front of the other cone, facing your partner.
  • Your partner will throw or kick the ball to either side, and you must react quickly to dive and make a save.
  • After you make the save, you can either throw the ball back to your partner or drop it and repeat the drill.

Three Cone Drill

soccer-drills-for-goalies-three-cone-drills

The Three Cone Drill focuses on footwork and movement. Set up three cones in a triangular formation, and stand in the middle of the formation. The aim of the drill is to move around the cones as quickly as possible, touching each cone before returning to the center. Repeat the drill while varying the formation of the cones to challenge your footwork and agility.

Instruction:

  • Set up three cones in a straight line, spaced five yards apart from each other.
  • Begin at the middle cone, facing one of the end cones.
  • Sprint to the end cone, touch it with your hand, and then sprint back to the middle cone.
  • Immediately change direction and sprint to the other end cone, touch it with your hand, and then sprint back to the middle cone.
  • Finally, sprint past the middle cone and finish at the starting line.

Rapid Fire Drill

rapid-fire-drill-goalie-soccer-drills
Source: SportSessionPlanner

This is an excellent goalkeeper training exercise to enhance reaction time and develop catching skills. In this drill, two players stand in front of the goalkeeper and pass the ball to each other at high speed. The goalkeeper’s job is to stop the ball from going past them and to catch the ball as quickly as possible. Vary the speed and angle of the passes to challenge your reaction time.

Instruction:

  • Place two cones about 5-10 yards apart.
  • Begin at one cone and sprint to the other.
  • As soon as you reach the second cone, quickly change direction and sprint back to the first cone.
  • Once you reach the first cone, immediately change direction again and sprint back to the second cone.
  • Keep alternating back and forth between the cones as quickly as possible.

Single Cone Drill

The Single Cone Drill aims at the goalkeeper’s ability to dive and save shots at ground level. Place a cone in front of the goalkeeper and have them dive to touch the cone before returning to their starting position. Repeat the drill while varying the angle and direction of the cone to challenge the goalkeeper’s diving skills.

Instruction:

  • Place a single cone on the ground.
  • Begin by standing to the side of the cone.
  • Quickly sprint around the cone, making a tight turn.
  • Sprint back to your starting position.
  • Repeat this drill, making sure to alternate which side of the cone you start on.

Low Diving Drill

The Low Diving Drill is one of the most important soccer drills for goalies to practice (Source: SportSessionPlanner)

The Low Diving Drill is an essential exercise for goalkeepers to enhance their diving skills and block shots that are close to the ground. Set up a line of cones, and have a teammate pass the ball between the cones at ground level. The goalkeeper’s job is to dive and save the ball from going past them. Vary the distance between the cones to challenge your diving skills.

Instruction:

  • Place a ball on the ground, about 5-10 yards away from you.
  • Begin in a ready position, with your knees slightly bent and your weight on the balls of your feet.
  • When the coach or partner signals, quickly dive toward the ball and try to catch it before it hits the ground.
  • Repeat this drill, moving the ball around to different spots and angles.

Conclusion

That concludes eight important soccer drills for goalies to enhance their shot-blocking skills and become better goalkeepers. By incorporating and practicing these drills regularly, you can improve your agility, footwork, diving, and reaction time significantly. Remember to vary the difficulty of each drill to challenge yourself and continue improving.

Follow ASC Soccer coaching for more effective football practice drills.

Read more: 10 Easy and Fun Soccer Drills For Kids With Handy Animations

The post 8 Essential Soccer Drills for Goalies To Improve Shot Blocking Skills appeared first on ASC Soccer Coaching & Training.



source https://ascfootball.net/soccer-drills-for-goalies/

Nhận xét

Đăng nhận xét

Bài đăng phổ biến từ blog này

How to Play Right Back Soccer Position – A Complete Guide

Hình ảnh
Right back soccer , also known as the right fullback position, plays a vital role in the beautiful game. While often overshadowed by their more glamorous teammates, the right back serves as an unsung hero, contributing both defensively and offensively. In this article, we will explore the responsibilities, skills, and strategies associated with the right back position, along with notable players who have excelled in this role. Whether you’re a fan, a coach, or a player aspiring to be the best right back, this article will provide you with valuable insights. What is a right back in soccer The right back (RB) position is located on the defensive line, typically on the right side of the field, opposite the left back. The primary responsibility of a right back is to defend against opposing wingers and provide support to the midfield and attack from the right flank. They are often involved in overlapping runs, crosses, and contributing to offensive plays. In the modern game, right backs...
Đọc thêm

La Croqueta Soccer Move: How to Play Like Andres Iniesta!

Hình ảnh
The La Croqueta move in soccer, which was made famous by the renowned player Andres Iniesta, involves the use of fast footwork and agility to outmaneuver multiple opponents. In this article, we will delve deeper into this impressive skill and how to do La Croqueta soccer move . What is the La Croqueta soccer move? The La Croqueta soccer move is a dribbling technique used to trick the opponent into thinking the player will move in one direction, then quickly change direction to move the ball in the opposite direction. The player uses one foot to push the ball to one side and then quickly pulls it back with the other foot, creating a crisscross motion. The move is often used to get past defenders and create scoring opportunities in tight situations. To execute this soccer technique effectively, you must possess agility, be nimble, and have the ability to generate sufficient force to surpass opposing defenders after completing the initial ball handling. Origins of La Croqueta move in...
Đọc thêm

What is A False 9 in Soccer: Definition and Role in Modern Football

Hình ảnh
If you are a soccer enthusiast, you may have heard of the term “False 9” or “Fake 9” position in soccer. This term has become increasingly popular in the world of soccer over the last decade. In this article, we will explore what is a False 9 in soccer , its history, its tactical significance and its role in modern football. In modern soccer, teams are constantly looking for new ways to innovate and surprise their opponents. One such innovation is the False 9 position. It is a tactic that involves the center forward dropping deep into midfield to create space and unsettle the opposition’s defense. What is a False 9? A False 9 (F9) is a soccer position where a center forward drops deep into the midfield, creating space for the wingers and attacking midfielders to exploit. The False 9 acts as a false target for the opposition’s defense, forcing them to come out of their shape to press the player in possession. This creates gaps in the defense that can be exploited by the attacking pl...
Đọc thêm