| As a soccer goalie reaction or "quickness" drills should | | | | your feet immediately have the ball thrown to the |
| comprise a regular part of your training. There are | | | | other side. Try to make the save with the same |
| two time connected factors involved in making a | | | | techniques you would use for a normal with a soccer |
| save. The first is the time it takes to visually find the | | | | ball. Once you are able to visually find the ball as soon |
| ball in the air. The second is the time it takes for the | | | | as it leaves the thrower's hand and follow it all the |
| mind to calculate the direction of the shot and for | | | | way into your hands then a soccer ball will start to |
| the body to respond however it has been trained. | | | | look huge. |
| Reducing either of these response times will improve | | | | Goalie Drill 2 |
| your chance of making the save. Also, the issue isn't | | | | Face a wall from about 10 feet away. Throw a small |
| strictly one of sight and reflexes, but of vision. The | | | | rubber ball against the wall. I used to use a supper |
| "athletic visual ability" necessary for great goalkeeping | | | | ball. You want a ball that comes off the wall quickly. |
| requires depth perception and saccadic eye | | | | The object of the game is to stop the ball from |
| movement (the quick transfer of focus from one | | | | getting past you. Simplicity itself. You can do this drill |
| object to the next). | | | | either standing or on your knees. For faster results, |
| You should train for quickness not necessarily speed. | | | | have someone else throw the ball so you really have |
| Quickness in soccer goalkeeping, as in most sports, | | | | no idea where it's going. As you get comfortable with |
| means the rapid trigger of a physical movement in | | | | this drill, move closer to the wall and throw the ball |
| reaction to some stimulus i.e. making a save, swinging | | | | harder. This drill will increase your quickness and your |
| at a sinking curve ball or dodging a tackle. These | | | | "athletic visual ability" dramatically. |
| simple drills will increase your quickness and your | | | | Practice Correctly |
| "athletic visual ability" dramatically and integrating | | | | Multiple repetitions of a movement leads to stored |
| them into your practice sessions will help you be a | | | | memories in the brain called engrams. Development |
| much better soccer goalie. | | | | of engrams is one reason it is so important to |
| Tennis Ball Drill for Goalkeepers | | | | practice techniques perfectly. The Goalie must |
| Do this drill at every practice session and you'll | | | | concentrate on the quality of a technique in addition |
| improve your ability to pick up the ball in flight and | | | | to quickness. If you practice with imperfect |
| react accordingly. Get a bucket of tennis balls and | | | | technique, your technique will be flawed when it |
| have someone stand about 2 to 3 yards farther out | | | | counts. Also, training for quickness in brief intervals is |
| than the penalty spot. They should throw the balls in | | | | the key because correct neural training will increase |
| close to begin with then progressively further to the | | | | your quickness in using multiple muscles groups and |
| side. They should be thrown fast, not just lobbed. | | | | will strengthen your ability to make saves. |
| Make a save on one side and when you're back on | | | | |