Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Goal keeper Session (Start Time: 2026-08-25 17:50:00)
FAW Coach Ed
Adam Jones
Description
This 1 hour goalkeeper session progresses through a technical, skill, and small‑sided game structure. The technical practice takes place inside the 18‑yard box, where both goalkeepers work through a range of handling actions — rolling serves, half‑volleys, and high‑dropping deliveries resetting into a ready position between repetitions. The skill practice introduces wide‑area crosses, with an attacker moving from passive to active pressure, requiring the GK to decide whether to catch, punch, or parry while communicating clearly with defenders. The session finishes with an end‑to‑end small sided game on a 30m × 20m pitch, with a 5m build‑out zone at each end. Both goalkeepers start every attack, receive under pressure, distribute through the zone, and react quickly in defensive transition, creating repeated shot‑stopping moments and continuous involvement.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
15 mins
Primary Focus
Develop the goalkeeper’s ability to deal with wide‑area crosses by making clean decisions (catch, punch, parry), managing aerial pressure, communicating early, and resetting quickly for repeated actions.
Organisation
6 players total:
2 goalkeepers
2 wide servers delivering crosses
2 attackers
Wide server delivers crosses from the flank into the penalty area.
Practice begins with no attacking pressure, allowing the GK to focus on clean handling.
A passive attacker is added after a few rounds, progressing to increased physical pressure.
GK must decide whether to catch, punch, or parry, and communicate clearly with defenders (real or shadow).
Session duration: 20 minutes
Work: 1 minute on / 1 minute off, with goalkeepers alternating each round.
Area Size
Crossing zone: wide channel outside the penalty area.
Delivery zone: crosses aimed into the six‑yard box.
GK positioned centrally on the 6‑yard line.
Timings
Total: 20 minutes
1‑minute work / 1‑minute rest
GKs alternate each minute.
Explanation
Wide servers deliver varied crosses into the six‑yard box. The goalkeeper works through clean handling actions, resetting after each repetition. Pressure gradually increases as attackers move from passive to active involvement. The GK must read early, communicate clearly, and choose the correct aerial technique under increasing physical contest.
Conditions
- Crosses delivered from a wide channel to replicate realistic wide area service.
Delivery aimed into the six-yard box to force decisions under pressure.
One attacker begins passive, progressing to active pressure to increase realism.
GK must give an early, loud call before every action to reinforce communication.
Depth, height, and pace of crosses vary to challenge decision-making (catch/punch/parry).
Challenges
Can you manage increased physical contact and win the aerial duel under pressure
Can you react to unpredictable second‑phase actions, such as flick‑ons or deflections
Can you recover quickly when a second ball or rebound scenario is introduced
Target
1 point for every clean catch.
2 points for every clean catch made under attacker pressure.
Make early, clear decisions (catch/punch/parry).
Progression
Increase pace, height, and variety of crosses.
Add two active attackers challenging aggressively for aerial duels.
Introduce late movement from attackers to increase unpredictability.
Regression
Remove one attacker to reduce physical pressure.
Deliver more predictable crosses (consistent height, pace, and target area).
Start GK with a clear, unopposed line to the ball.
Slow down tempo of crosses to focus on clean handling and footwork.
Key Coaching Points
Base/ready position - Reset after every action; balanced stance.
Communication - Early, loud call to claim ownership.
Footwork - Small adjustment steps; avoid crossing feet.
Scanning - Read cues early to speed up decision‑making.
Interventions
Reinforce delaying and reading cues before committing to the aerial action
timing of the GK’s set position and approach to the ball.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
20 mins
Primary Focus
Develop the goalkeeper’s ability to position effectively for shots, deal with repeated end‑to‑end actions, make clean saves, recover quickly, and organise defenders while supporting play from the build‑out zone.
Organisation
Pitch dimensions - 30m long × 20m wide
Two small goals positioned at opposite ends
Build‑out zone - 5m deep in front of each small goal
Two goalkeepers, each defending one end
Outfield players play end‑to‑end, creating repeated shooting moments
GK starts every attack from the build‑out zone
GK must remain connected to the build out zone during possession but adjust position dynamically when defending
Session duration - 20 minutes continuous play
Explanation
This small sided game is designed to keep both goalkeepers highly active. Play moves end‑to‑end, creating frequent shooting opportunities. Each GK begins possession from the build‑out zone, encouraging realistic starting positions, scanning, and distribution. When defending, the GK must adjust their position relative to the ball, manage angles, deal with shots from different distances, and react quickly to rebounds or second‑phase actions. The repeated transitions ensure high physical and mental load, mirroring real match demands.
Conditions
Build‑out zone forces GK to start attacks and adopt realistic starting positions
Play flows end‑to‑end to increase shot frequency and repeated GK actions
Long clearances prohibited to encourage controlled distribution and realistic transitions
GK must adjust position dynamically (set early, narrow/expand angle, manage depth)
Play restarts with the GK after every goal or ball out of play
Outfield players encouraged to shoot early to increase GK involvement
Challenges
Can you adjust your position early to narrow the angle before the shot
Can you recover quickly after a save and set again for the next action
Can you communicate clearly to organise defenders and protect central areas
Can you deal with rebounds or second‑phase shots with clean footwork and balance
Targets
1 point for every clean save
2 points for a save followed by a successful recovery and second‑phase action
1 point for initiating a controlled build‑out sequence
–1 point for every goal conceded
Progression
Add a live pressing player who closes the GK aggressively during build‑out
Increase shooting frequency by allowing attackers to shoot from anywhere inside the half
Add a rebound zone where attackers must follow in every shot
Regression
Allow GK unlimited touches during build out
Reduce shooting pressure by limiting attackers to controlled finishes
Widen the build out zone to give GK more time and space
Key Coaching Points
Positioning - adjust depth and angle early; set before the shot
Footwork - small, efficient steps; avoid crossing feet
Handling - secure clean saves; parry wide when needed
Communication - organise defenders early; protect central areas
Recovery - reset quickly after every action
Interventions
Reinforce early positioning and reading before the shot
- Encourage communication to manage defensive structure
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
15 mins
Primary Focus
Develop the goalkeeper’s ability to handle a variety of serves cleanly, reset quickly into a balanced base position, and maintain efficient footwork and decision‑making under increasing tempo and pressure.
Organisation
Two goalkeepers working with one GK coach.
Goalkeeper begins on the 6‑yard line in a ready/set position.
Coach serves a variety of balls — rolling, half‑volley, high‑dropping — from 10–12 yards, alternating left, centre, and right.
After each action, the goalkeeper must reset to their base position before the next serve.
Total practice time: 15 minutes, delivered in 1‑minute on / 1‑minute off intervals, with GKs alternating.
Variations:
Variation 1: Coach continues serving mixed deliveries from 10–12 yards.
Variation 2: Coach gives an activation cue (touch a cone or jump over a pole). GK completes the action, recovers centrally, then deals with a rolling or half‑volleyed serve.
Area Size
Working area: 10–14 yards between server and goalkeeper.
GK positioned on the 6‑yard line.
Explanation
The coach delivers varied serves to challenge handling technique, footwork, and reaction speed. After each action, the goalkeeper resets into a balanced base position, preparing for the next serve. Activation cues and movement demands increase realism and require the GK to recover quickly and maintain clean handling under pressure.
Conditions
Working area kept tight (10–14 yards) to increase repetition and ensure clean handling actions.
GK positioned on the 6-yard line to replicate realistic starting positions for close-range serves.
Serve types vary (rolling, half-volley, high-drop) to challenge footwork, base shape, and reaction speed.
GK must reset into a balanced base position after every action to reinforce technical consistency.
Activation cues (cone touch, pole jump) added to increase realism and demand quick recovery.
Challenges
Can you add a sharp lateral movement before the serve to improve your footwork and set position
Can you react quickly when the server disguises the height, pace, or direction of the delivery
Can you deal with second‑phase actions by reacting to rebounds or unpredictable follow‑up serves
Targets
Secure clean handling from varied deliveries - 1 point
cone touch or pole jump secure clean save - 2 point
Reset quickly into a balanced base position.
Maintain efficient footwork between actions.
Progression
Increase serve distance to 14–16 yards to challenge tracking and footwork.
Add movement before activation (shuffle, cone touch, pole jump).
Introduce unpredictable service types with disguised height, pace, and direction.
Regression
Reduce serve distance to 8–10 yards for improved control and confidence.
Limit service types to one or two to simplify decision‑making.
Remove activation cues so GK starts static in set position.
Key Coaching Points
Base/ready position - Reset after every action; balanced stance, hands active.
Footwork Small adjustment steps avoid crossing feet.
Body shape Stay side‑on when moving
Interventions
Reinforce timing of the GK’s set position before each serve.
Highlight efficient footwork and balanced recovery between actions