Progressions

and drills for more advanced goalkeepers

If the session includes more advanced goalkeepers as opposed to beginners it may be suggested that
more challenging drills are required. Here are some examples of more advanced drills which aim to
focus on agility, speed, range of movement, accuracy, precision and fitness. According to a paper
written by Collins and Williamson (2008) the above are some of the key attributes required to be a
good hockey goalkeeper therefore it is important that more advanced goalkeepers focus on
mastering these elements.
There are also lots of different drills for different aspects of goalkeeping in the goalkeeping booklets
within the resource pack if the teacher or coach finds it developmental to focus on other areas of
goalkeeping, for example second and third phase saves or set plays (Burch and Newcombe 2004).

Hand drill:


Key:

- Goalkeeper

- Cone

- Coach

Goalkeeper starts on the goal line and then runs out to the red cone in line with the coach
with the point of pressure facing forward at all times
Whilst the goalkeeper is back stepping back to their original position, the ball will be flicked
in by the coach in order for the goalkeeper to make a save
The goalkeeper then moves to a different cone and the same thing happens again

Lateral fitness drill:

Lateral movement builds muscle for many saves that dont require simple forward
movements
Forwards/backwards continuously for 2 minutes followed by 2 minutes rest with point of
pressure facing forwards

Key:
- Cone
- Direction of
travel

Control and clear:

Key:

- Goalkeeper

- Cone

- Coach

Goalkeeper will receive a flicked ball and control it by angling the leg guards down
Clear with correct technique and power to marked areal
Can clear to target zones marked out by cones or a moving target (i.e. player unmaked)

Hand and foot drill:


Key:

- Goalkeeper

- Ball

- Coach

Goalkeeper moves out and kicks one of the still balls and then moves back to the goal to
make a save that is fed in from the coach

Stick and paddle saves:

Key:

- Goalkeeper

- Coach

Goalkeeper moves and touches right hand post with hand and then moves back across the
goal to make a paddle save
After the paddle save the goalkeeper will move back across the goal and make a stick save in
the top right hand corner of the goal

Accuracy, focus, reactions and footwork drill:

Key:

- Goalkeeper

- Cone

Goalkeeper moves around the square with point of pressure always facing forwards
Goalkeeper must be in all kit apart from gloves, helmet and stick
As the goalkeeper is moving around, the coach will throw them tennis balls to catch and
throw back
A progression from this drill is to put on the hand paddle, glove and stick and use these to
clear the tennis balls whilst moving around the square