| In soccer, a goalkeeper's footwork defines how skillful | | | | techniques articles). Play 'Follow the Leader', where |
| he is in a good number of aspects. The importance of | | | | you, as the coach, would lead the rest while you move |
| footwork is seen when a goalkeeper needs to change | | | | back and forth across the field, performing footwork |
| his stance and position to ready him to dive for a ball | | | | steps. Sprinkle in some sudden movements to practice |
| out of his normal reach. Footwork is a major factor in | | | | their reflexes and how they link them with their |
| determining how a goalkeeper would be able change | | | | footwork. |
| directions and to accelerate towards a given target. | | | | Always make sure that your goalkeeper is on his toes, |
| Footwork keeps a goalkeeper's stance controlled and | | | | with his knees bent. If he is just beginning to train, he |
| not easily compromised as it assists in distribution of his | | | | might not understand the reason behind the need to |
| weight evenly. | | | | stay light on their toes. You can have them see the |
| Many coaches agree that the goalkeeper's weight | | | | importance of it by having them stand on their toes, |
| should be distributed in the sense that three-quarters | | | | and making them jump as high as they can. After |
| goes to the forefoot, and a quarter goes to the rear | | | | having them do that, let them stand on their heels and |
| foot. This would ensure optimum mobility for the | | | | attempt to jump. You can bet that nobody leaves the |
| goalkeeper. Keep this in mind when you think about | | | | ground! |
| developing your goalkeepers' footwork. Let them | | | | Next, pair the goalkeepers and give them two cones |
| know this as you have them perform the footwork | | | | each. Have them create an imaginary 'goal' with the |
| drills mentioned below. | | | | cones, around 6 paces apart from each other. The |
| It is important that you attempt to integrate some | | | | goalkeepers should face each other. One goalkeeper |
| footwork training even if you plan on accomplishing | | | | becomes the leader, and the other goalkeeper |
| other tasks in a session. Your players and your | | | | becomes the follower. The leader would move quick, |
| goalkeeper should always recognize the importance of | | | | using footwork to touch the outside of either cone in |
| footwork, as it assures their mobility and safety from | | | | his or her 'goal'. In order for the follower to keep the |
| sprains and the like. | | | | leader from gaining a point, he should attempt to use |
| After having the goalkeeper stretch and jog, do an | | | | footwork, reacting to the movement of the leader, to |
| introduction or recapitulation of the basic steps, such as | | | | touch the area just inside either goal. Goalkeepers |
| the shuffle, or the crossover. If you need to have the | | | | would switch roles after a period of time. |
| goalkeeper repeat after you, do so (refer to footwork | | | | |