Here are three different reflex drills for goalkeepers. High quality goalkeeping requires athletes to think quickly and immediately recognize what is happening with the soccer ball. Many times the keeper must make a last second adjustment in order to stop the ball. This, of course, is happening while trying to process a lot of information.
Below Alberto Ruiz shows and explains three different reflex drills for goalkeepers. Each drill is designed to force them to process information quickly and the make a last second decision on how and where to play the ball. These drills are easily modified in order to gradually increase their difficulty. When used consistently these reflex drills for goalkeepers will improve their ability to react to last second changes during the match.
For other great videos or soccer tools visit www.albertoruizsoccer.com or go to his YouTube Channel ARS GoalKeeping
The YouTube video below has sound, so please make sure your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site. (Some schools block access to YouTube)
The first reflex drill for goalkeepers begins by having the goalkeeper at one post with his back to the field. Two servers are positioned with one to the right and one to left. Place 3-5 cones on the ground. Prior to the drill tell the keeper that even numbers mean that the shot will come from one direction and odd from the other. One of the servers calls out a number. The keeper, once the number is called, moves through the cones using a predetermined footwork pattern. After negotiating the cones, he will turn and face the field. He must process where the ball is coming from quickly as the appropriate server will put a shot on goal.
A second reflex drill for goalkeepers is executed as follows. The keeper stands in the middle of the goal with his back turned. Upon hearing a color he will turn and shut down space to defend the shot. Again each color will represent a different direction that the shot will be coming from.
The drill begins with the keeper facing the field, but this time another player will stand at the 6 yd line blocking his view of the server that is lined up with them. When the ball is served the player at the 6yd line can either block the keepers view or try and deflect the ball into the goal.