The key of success in a soccer game is to have a skillful goalie. Simply, the team with the best goalie will usually finish the game as winner.

However, my own experience is that coaches rarely focus on developing the skills of their goalkeepers. Instead, they just place the keeper in the goal and let the player’s fire missiles at him.

This is not a smart strategy as the keeper requires (as every other player) specific soccer drills to develop his own game.

In this article I will specifically focus on soccer goalkeeper drills that you can use to improve the skills of your goalie.

Throwing the Ball

Purpose
Improving your goalkeepers throwing abilities.

Set Up
Create a small area (preferably 20×15 yards). Divide your players into groups of 4.

Performing the Drill
During this drill, the players will shoot very often. This means that the goalkeeper will put the ball into play at least every 30 seconds or so. The faster he puts the ball into play the better. He should also try to find the best passing alternative and not just throw or kick the ball away.

Variations
You may restrict your goalkeepers to only use their weak arm when performing a throw.

Equipment
Cones, balls, colored bibs.

Summary

This drill is one of the most basic, but still one of the most efficient drills for developing your goalkeepers throwing skills.

Diving to The Left and Right

Purpose
Improving your goalkeepers diving skills.

Set Up
You should take 5 or more balls and put them few yards from the goal. The goalkeeper should begin the drill by standing in the middle of the goal and.

Performing the Drill
Start the drill by kicking the ball either to the left or to the right. You should not reveal where you aim to kick the ball.

Variations
You may vary between low and high kicks. You could also throw the ball instead of kicking it.

Equipment
Cones, balls, one goal.

Summary

Knowing how to dive is one of the fundamental goalkeeper skills. I recommend you therefore to involve this drill in your regular goalie practice as often you can.

Minimizing the Angle

Purpose
Teaching your goalkeeper how to cut off angles when facing the opponent 1 vs. 1.

Set Up
Each of your players should have a ball. They should stand in a line about 15-20 yards from the goal.

Performing the Drill
The first standing player should start to run ahead the goal with the ball at his feet. Meanwhile, the goalkeeper should prepare to rush ahead the player when he is about 10 yards from the goal.

Variations
You may vary this drill by having one defender in front of the goalkeeper. However, this defender should only follow with the attacker, which means that he will not actively try to clear the ball away from him.

Equipment
Cones, balls, one goal.

Summary

A goalkeeper should never stand on the line and wait for the opponent. Instead, he should rush out and make him as big as possible.

Final Words

If you try to perform maximum during these drills I am sure you will notice some great improvements in your game. Remember, in order to improve different soccer skills you need to focus maximum on what you are doing and also believe in yourself!