4 Basic Soccer Goalkeeping Drills - Soccer Goalie Drills

In this article I will present 4 soccer goalkeeping drills that will help you increase your catching skills. Let’s start immediately…

Soccer Goalkeeping Drills – One Hand Catch
Bring a teammate or friend and give him a ball. Now, place yourself on the goal line. Your teammate/friend should be about 3-4 yards from you. Tell your teammate/friend to throw the ball first to the left then to the right. You need to focus on making contact with the ball early and then absorb the shoot by keeping your hand relaxed.

Your feet should remain square to the ground. This drill will improve your catching abilities with one hand, develop your natural feeling for the ball and also increase your reflexes.

Soccer Goalkeeping Drills – Two Hands Catch
Involve a teammate or friend and tell him to put the ball on the ground. Place yourself about 5 yards from the ball and tell your teammate/friend to kick the ball hard at your stomach. The purpose is to practice on catching the ball in front of your body in order to simulate a real shoot. Every time you catch the ball your hands should form a W shape and your index fingers need to be moved slightly so that your hand is behind the ball.

Soccer Goalkeeping Drills – Catching Low Shoots
This drill is one of my personal favorites. Even if I am not playing as goalkeeper I really like to practice on this one together with my goalkeeping friend. The purpose with this drill is to practice on catching low shoots near the left and right posts. Start by placing yourself in the middle of the goal. Tell your friends to place the ball about 6 yards from you.

When you are ready, signal your teammate/friend to place a low shoot near one of the posts. However, he should not tell you at which post he will kick the ball. Keep in mind to have your body relaxed while diving and keep the focus on the ball. This drill simulates one of the most common situations you will face in a real soccer game.

Soccer Goalkeeping Drills – Catching a High Ball
The purpose with this drill is to increase your air catching abilities. Your teammate or friend should stand about 5-10 yards from the corner flag with a ball at his feet. Your own placement should be on the goal line.

When you are ready, signal your teammate to cross the ball inside the 18 yard box. The ball needs be high and you should catch it while being in the air. You should not stand and wait for the ball, instead attack it and try to jumps as high as possible.

Drills mentioned in this article will increase your goalkeeping skills by several levels if they are performed with maximum focus. Keep in mind that the more you put in the more you will get out. What I am trying to say is that every drill is an opportunity for becoming a better goalkeeper. You should always give you best and always work hard no matter what. Only on this way you will be able to succeed and reach your goals. Good Luck with your carrier.