Priority is on individual technical development and safety.

Technical (Skills with/without the ball)
Development of individual skills under pressure of time, space and an opponent.
Increase technical abilities and encourage risk-taking!

Without the Ball
Proper technique for ‘ready position’ and ‘set position’.

Balls on the Ground
Proper technique for scooping, dropping and diving.

Balls in the Air
Proper technique for catching and introduction to parrying.

Ball in Possession
Proper technique for ‘tucking’ the ball away and protecting oneself.


Tactical (Decisions with/out the ball)
Development of individual tactics. Introduction of small group tactics.

Individual – 1v1
•    Focus on stopping shots from various spots in the penalty area.
•    Introduction to 1v1 breakaways, with emphasis on safe methods of making saves.
•    Positioning of the goalkeeper to ‘cut the angle’ of play.

Small Group – 2 ’s and 3 ’s
•    Introduction to communication including positioning of defenders, calling for the ball and basic set plays (i.e. goal kicks and corner kicks)

Physical
•    Goalkeeper Fitness will mainly be accomplished with basic exercises at the beginning of each session along with fun,challenging, and demanding skill work during the training session.
•    Emphasis on gaining awareness that goalkeepers need to be fit.

Psychological
•    Encourage risk taking. Mistakes are a byproduct of trying new things.
•    Focus on individual enjoyment of the goal keeping. Development of intrinsic motivation and building ‘goalkeeper’ confidence.
•    Introduction of competitive training environment. All activities should have an objective.
•    Let players learn through self-discovery.

Other thoughts
•    Players at this age are experiential. They learn by doing, not by being told. Coaches should refrain from making long lectures and let the players play.
•    Most practices should include shots while in the goalmouth. These provide for maximum touches on the ball while gaining experience of positioning in goal.
•    Coaches must focus on the individual technical development of all players even if that means sacrificing team results.
•    In addition to rotating in goal, each player should play a variety of field positions in order to build necessary foot skills.