Goalkeeper Diving Drills For Close Shots

Goalkeeper Low Diving Progression with Wider Ready Position and Inside Step

Shots on goalkeepers are coming in closer and harder with less time to react.  This goalkeeper training progression helps a developing youth goalkeeper to dive and react quicker with a wider ready position, proper balance, and inside step to load and explode quicker.

Diving Warm Up:  Stationary balls positioned close enough to reach and save through the ball with one step.  3 – 4 reps each side.  Goal is to warm up the goalkeeper.  

Ready - Help them develop the timing of ready position, proper distance of feet in the starting position for maximum quickness and power. Hands - Focus on establishing hand a coordination with hands slightly out front wider than body width.
Go - When the goalkeeper has to make the save the goalkeeper will step inside their set position.  Drive head and hands through the shot and save.

Off Angle to Wider Ready Position, Second Progression:  The goalkeeper can visualize they are ready for a ball in the wide channel outside the 18 yard box.  The ball is crossed or driven to a target 10 yards off the goal line.  

Ball line and Angle - The goalkeeper will change the angle by dropping back on or close to the goal line. 

Ready and Balanced - Wider ready position to utilize hands and feet.  Hand position off the body wider than shoulder width.  Not straight but bent to drive and push arm and hands to the save.

Inside Step - Short inside step to prepare body weight and muscles in the direction to push and drive with maximum power in the shortest amount of time.

The inside step established a better angle to react and push from.  Bigger steps outside shoulder width can be problematic for quicker reaction saves since they are bigger movements and take more time.  Footwork or outside steps are great for shots from distance. The inside step for low diving is another technique to master to load and react quicker with the most power possible for closer shots such as cutbacks or headers.  Watch the pros dive during closer range shots.  Many employ the inside step.

Watch the video below and play with it to see what you think. There is no right or wrong way to make a save…. As long as you make it. Contact keeperstop.com with any goalkeeper equipment or education questions.  

Thank you to Elite Sport USA for supplying the Elite goalkeeper gloves and equipment for the training session. Great game performance at on sale prices we can all afford.