Goalkeeper Footwork and Set Drill
Great saves start with feet, not hands. This goalkeeper drill links fast footwork through a ladder to a perfectly timed set position and a catch, training keepers to arrive balanced before every shot.
Ages
U10 to U18
Players
1 to 4 keepers
Time
15 minutes
Focus
Footwork speed
Equipment
- Agility ladder or 6 flat cones
- 4+ balls
Setup
Lay an agility ladder (or a line of flat cones) 3 yards to the side of the goal. Server with balls stands 10 yards out, centered.
How it works
- The keeper moves through the ladder with quick lateral steps.
- Exiting the ladder, the keeper shuffles to the center of goal and hits a set position.
- The server strikes a shot the moment the keeper sets. Keeper saves and returns the ball.
- 6 reps per set, 3 sets. Alternate ladder patterns each set.
Coaching points
- Set position before the shot, not during it: feet shoulder-width, hands ready, weight forward.
- Small, fast steps. Big lunging steps leave the keeper stuck mid-stride.
- Catch with a W shape when possible; parry wide only when the shot demands it.
Progression
Serve a second reaction shot immediately after the first save, or vary serves between low drives and high balls.
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