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Special Olympics offers training and competition opportunities in 30 Olympic-type sports for athletes 8 years or older.  For children with intellectual disabilities ages 2 through 7, Special Olympics provides a Young Athletes Program. Special Olympics coaches have a unique opportunity to work with athletes in competitive situations to assist in their training for life. As a grass-roots organization, Special Olympics relies on volunteers at all levels of the movement to ensure that every athlete is offered a quality sports training and competition experience. Individual donors, corporate partners and many others make it possible for Special Olympics to offer children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy through participation in the program.
English > Coach > Coaching Guides > Football > Teaching Sport Skills > Goalkeeping Drills
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Goalkeeping Drills

 
Purpose of the Drill
  • Teach players correct techniques.
  • Build confidence.
 
Steps
  1. Set up a triangle using large cones or flags, 4 yards per side.
  2. Position a goalkeeper on each side of the triangle. Coach stands in the middle with several balls.
  3. Go around the group working on basic goalkeeping fundamentals.
  4. Goalkeepers throw ball back to the coach.
  5. Do the same, but throw the ball randomly to keep goalkeepers thinking and mentally alert.

    Goalkeeping Fundamentals Drill
 
Coaching Tips
  • Ensure correct techniques are used.
  • Use with lower level players or at the beginning of training so that players master the correct basics.
 
 
Intermediate Ability — Goalie in the Middle
 
Purpose of the Drill
  • Increase player's ability to think quickly.
  • Increase player's agility when making saves.
 
Steps
  1. Mark out a central goal, 4 yards by 2 yards by 2 yards (or full-size goal for 11-a-side players), with flags or cones.
  2. Goalkeeper stands in the middle.
  3. Goalkeeper receives different kinds of shots (easy at first, then build up to hard shots).
  4. Goalkeeper takes a ball from one side, then quickly turns around and takes a shot from the other side.
  5. Count number of saves made before a goal is scored.

    Goalie in the Middle Drill
 
Coaching Tips
  • Keep goalkeeper interested.
  • Vary shots.
  • Use one-on-one coaching while the rest of the team is learning specific skills.
 
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