Field Hockey | Goal keeping Drills

The feeder feeds the ball to the goalkeeper who kicks the ball to the wide player who either kicks / hits the ball back to the goalkeeper. Coach can also feed the ball to player 2 to hit / kick the ball to goalkeeper. The idea is to keep the practice going as long as possible. Coach can vary feed (e.g. bounce) for keeper to control kick to player 2.

Coach should feed the ball to the left hand, where the goalkeeper should aim to give and cushion the ball so that it falls vertically to the ground. The goalkeeper then uses their feet to save clear, kicking the ball away to start an attacking move.

The goalkeeper starts 2 / 3 metres off their line on their knees. The coach then throws the ball under arm for the goalkeeper to dive across and make a save with their hand/stick.

Goal keeper stays on the line until the coach roles a ball towards the edge of the circle the Goal keeper has to run and touch the ball before it leaves the circle. After having done this the GK has to retreat back to the goal and react to the next ball.

Setup the practice as shown. The coach feeds the ball out to the right winger who receives the ball and takes the ball into the circle The winger can either shoot or pass the ball to the back post. The goalkeeper must cover the shot and then react if the attacker decides to pass the ball instead. The player on the back post can be a goalkeeper in order to practice diving to get to the pass.

Setup the drill as shown. The coach numbers all the players on the edge of the circle. The coach then calls out a number and that player passes the ball to the goalkeeper for them to kick the ball into the goal. After a set, move the feeders closer to the goalkeeper - to increase the reflexes of the goalkeeper.

Setup the practice as shown. 2 Attacker and 2 Defenders. One of the defenders feeds the ball to the goalkeeper to clear. If the attackers intercept the ball they have to try and score. The defenders come into the circe to assist the goalkeeper.

Setup the practice as shown. Two players putting pressure on goalkeeper. Coach feeds the ball for the goalkeeper to kick through the attackers. If the attacker intercepts the ball then they shoot at goal.

Setup the practice as shown. The feeder rolls the ball for the goalkeeper to dive and save either side. If the ball falls to one of the rebounders then they are allowed to score. Once the goalkeeper builds up confidence increase the speed of the inital feed and get the rebounders to be more active.

The goalkeeper must start on their haunches (squat position) before the coach throws the ball under arm for the goalkeeper to dive across and make a save. The goalkeeper should always finish in the barrier postion after completing the save.

The standing progression, is the next stage on from the haunches position. The goalkeeper stands in a stationary position, and the coach then throws the ball under arm. The goalkeeper then dives across the goal to save the ball. Ensure that the correct techniques are used.

Setup the practice as shown. The feeder half-hits the ball for the goalkeeper to save / clear. Once the goalkeeper has kicked the first ball the attackers have to try and score, with the goalkeeper attempting to clear the ball out of the circle. Play the best of ten points.

Place the 4 balls as shown 2 on the 23 meter line 1 right and one left in the circle. Goal keeper  starts on the line. Goal keeper has to save the first shot from the top on the line. Run out and slide at the second ball. Recover back to the goal to save the 3 shot (this one has to be shot with reverse if possible). Then with the 4th ball they play a 1v1.

Setup five cones in either the form of a compass or clock. On the command go the goalkeeper moves to the North then back to the middle, before then going to the East and back to the middle and so on.

Player with 6 balls stands outside the circle. This player has to try and hit the ball to the player on the far post. Player on the far post has to try and score. Keeper has to decide each time if to go for the interception or save the shot from the far post.

Setup the practice as shown. Place a number of balls at each location. Goalkeeper moves to each station and kicks the ball towards the feeder (open-side) who is positioned in the goal. Once they have kicked all the balls to the feeder the goalkeeper then moves to the next station.

Setup as shown. Goalkeeper starts behind the line and advances 1 pace towards the feeder, who strikes the ball at goal to either corner. The feeder can work further back and strike the ball harder as the goalkeepers confidence grows.

Setup the drill as shown. The feeder starts with the ball outside of the circle and hits the ball for the goalkeeper to kick the ball back to the feeder. The idea is try to kick the ball back through the gates for the feeder. As the goalkeeper gets better at the practice move the cones closer together.