Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Youth Academy Goalkeeper Session - United Soccer Coaches Convention - Miguel Angel Martinez

Warmup for Movement/Handling

Session Organization:

• Red square is 7x7 yards and for 4 servers.
• Yellow square 2x2 yards for 2 red GKs.
• All blue servers have ball in their hands to toss to red GKs.
• Red GKs rotate clockwise to each blue server to catch ball tossed from blue server hands.

Timing:

• 2 red GKs stay in for 35 seconds. Switch after 1 round.
  
• 7 rounds total of 35 seconds
• Total time: 4 minutes 5 seconds
• Replicate this Rondo for Keith's Group 

Coaching Points:

• finger tips on top of the ball 
  
• Set shape for red GKs. 
• Bend the knees while moving
• Head in a direction forwards towards the knees. 
• Foot direction when moving right and left.
• soft hands when controlling ball with palms.
• head behind ball/over ball when absorbing

Progressions:

• Blue serving players kick the ball so red MPs can practice scoop technique.
• bounced ball into stomach area so red MPs can be introduced to basket technique.

Diving Introduction/warmup

Session Organization:

• Both angles work in the same time.
• GK 1 & 2 begin on their knees
• S1 & 2 kick the ball low for GKs to collapse right, then left.
• GKs switch with Servers after 6 repetitions (3 each side). 
• All GKs rotate clockwise.
• Process is repeated with Keith's group.

Timing:

• 15-20 minutes
  

Coaching Points:

• Execution of hand shape when catching and falling with the ball
• Hip position when falling and after fall.
• Excellent hand direction towards ball.
• head behind ball when diving towards ball. 
• feet shape when finishing dive to not fall on stomach. 

Progressions:

• Service mid height 

Directional Game

Session Organization:

• 2 goals. Mannequin splits the middle of the goal so GK only has to defend half the goal.
• S2 and S1 shoot from corner of the 6 yard box. P1 and P2 begin 10 yards away from near post on goal-line. 
• P1 passes to S1.
• S1 can shoot on goal from angle. If GK rebounds then S2 can shoot but only on the half of the goal (near post to mannequin).
• Process repeats on P2 and S2 side.
• GKs in yellow rotate after 1 repetition for a total of 4 repetitions. Then they switch with blue servers (3rd yellow GK can stay for extra repetitions when blue and yellow switch)

Timing:

• 8-12 minutes
  

Coaching Points:

• Positioning in relation to server.
• Positioning in relation to field location and goal.
• Movement backwards, diagonally and horizontally across goal.
• Bend knees, head forward direction above knees, hand position next to hips
• execution of save(s), catching, smothering, basket
• Thumb connection, chin over ball, fingertips on top of ball when catching.
• Excellent hand direction towards ball.
• Head behind ball when diving towards ball.
• Feet shape when finishing dive to not fall on stomach.

Progressions:

• S1 and S2 can dribble to create a 1v1 situation.
• S1 can pass to S2 to create a reaction save or 1v1 situation.

Progressions mentioned above should be considered based on ability levels of GKs to challenge movement/set position of GKs.