NI Goalkeeping

Videos by permission of Timothy Kelly and Brian Jones from St Louis Goalkeeping Academy

DIVING EXERCISES

Exercise 1

The GK dives to the static ball then recovers to make another diving save to Server's serve.
Service – side foot, volley.

Exercise 2

GK works around the triangle. Server serves his/her ball to the furthest cone – side foot, thrown.
Work from the left and then to the right.
Start off doing one circuit, ie 3 saves in one direction and build it up, making 6 saves, 3 in one direction and then change direction and work the other way.
This is a good conditioning exercise.

Exercise 3

GK rolls the ball to S who side foots it to the side of the GK for him/her to make a diving save.
Service x 6.

Exercise 4

S1 stands slightly behind GK and serves the ball to S2 who side foots it to the side of the GK for him/her to make a diving save.
Service x 6.
This is a good exercise for reaction work.
The serves can be varied from side foot, volley and even headers. Remember to work from both sides.

Exercise 5

GK starts in the middle of the goal; S stands 6 yards out in line with the post, S plays a firm side foot shot aiming just inside the post. The GK must wait until S steps to the ball before moving.
Service x 6 side foot, volley.

Remember – Always work from both sides when carrying out the exercises. You don't want to be a one sided goalkeeper. If there is a goal available, static or mobile and you have permission from the groundsman, use it, as it makes the exercises more match realistic. If goals aren't available, mark out the width of the goal with cones. It is good practice to move to an area on the training ground where you are not going to damage the playing surface. Trust me - keep on the right side of the groundsman and he will look after you throughout the season.