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:

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

Control and clear:

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:

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:

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:

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