Are you coaching youth Goalies? Youth goalkeeper training drills don’t have to be complicated or boring. This complete 30-minute practice plan keeps two goalies active, engaged, and learning essential skills. Perfect for U10, U12, and U14 age groups, these drills focus on fundamentals while keeping practice fun and fast-paced.
What You’ll Need
- 8-10 soccer balls
- 2 goals (or use cones if needed)
- Training cones
- Pinnies for games
Warm-Up: Get Moving! (4 Minutes)
Keep it simple and fun for youth goalies.
Quick Movement Drills:
- Jumping jacks (30 seconds)
- High knees (30 seconds)
- Side shuffles (30 seconds each way)
- Arm swings and windmills (30 seconds)
- Light jogging with direction changes (1 minute)
- Quick forward rolls or cartwheels (30 seconds) – kids love this!
Pro Tip: Make it a game! “Can you touch the ground, then reach for the sky 10 times?”
Skill Building: Catching & Movement (8 Minutes)
Drill 1: Rolling Ball Scoops (4 Minutes)
Teach proper technique for ground balls.
How to Run It:
- Stand 8-10 yards away
- Roll balls slowly at first, then faster
- Each goalie gets 8-10 tries
- Make it fun: “Alligator mouth – chomp the ball!”
Key Points:
- Get down on one knee
- Make a scoop with your hands
- Pull ball into your belly
- Don’t let it bounce away!
Drill 2: Catch the High Ball (4 Minutes)
Practice catching balls above their head.
Setup:
- Toss or gently kick high balls
- Start low, then gradually higher
- 6-8 catches per goalie
- Goalies shout “MINE!” on every catch
Coaching Tips:
- Jump up and catch at the highest point
- Make a “W” with your hands
- Squeeze the ball tight
- Land safely on both feet
Make it Fun: “Catch it like you’re grabbing cookies from the top shelf!”
Shot Stopping: The Fun Part! (12 Minutes)
Drill 1: Quick Reaction Shots (3 Minutes)
Build fast reflexes.
Setup:
- Shoot from 10-12 yards away
- Start slow, increase speed as they improve
- 6 shots per goalie
- Mix up where you shoot
Keep It Positive: Celebrate every save! Even diving attempts that miss are wins.
Drill 2: Diving Like a Superhero (4 Minutes)
Kids love diving! Teach them to do it safely.
How to Teach Diving:
- Start with rolling balls to the side
- 4 dives to each side per goalie
- Focus on soft landings
- Make it dramatic and fun!
Safety First:
- Land on your side, not your elbows
- Start with short dives, build up gradually
- Use softer ground if available
Fun Twist: “Fly like Superman to save the day!”
Drill 3: 1v1 Breakaways (5 Minutes)
Teach decision-making in a game situation.
Setup:
- One player dribbles toward goal from 20 yards
- Goalie decides: stay back or come out?
- 3-4 turns per goalie
- Keep it moving quickly!
Simple Coaching:
- If the ball is far from the player, come out fast
- If they’re close to the ball, stay big and balanced
- Make yourself look HUGE!
Mini Game Time (5 Minutes)
3v3 with Goalies
Setup:
- Small field (25 x 20 yards)
- 2.5 minutes per goalie
- Regular soccer rules
- Lots of action!
What They’ll Learn:
- When to shout to teammates
- Where to stand
- How to throw or kick the ball out quickly
- Staying focused
Cool Down & Kicks (1 Minute)
Finishing Strong:
- Each goalie takes 2-3 goal kicks to targets
- Practice throwing the ball to teammates
- Quick arm and leg stretches
- High fives and positive feedback!
Key Coaching Points (Keep It Simple!)
1. Footwork: Stay on your toes, ready to move
2. Be Loud: Talk to your teammates constantly
3. Good Hands: Catch everything close to your body
4. Be Brave: It’s okay to make mistakes – that’s how we learn!
5. Have Fun: Goalies are special – enjoy it!
Tips for Different Age Groups
Ages 8-10 (U10):
- Focus on basic catching and footwork
- Slower shots, closer distances
- More demonstrations, less talking
- Lots of encouragement!
Ages 11-14 (U12-U14):
- Increase speed and difficulty
- Introduce more diving
- Add decision-making elements
- Encourage them to be vocal leaders
Common Youth Goalie Mistakes
#1: Standing flat-footed – remind them to bounce on their toes!
#2: Being too quiet – encourage constant communication
#3: Giving up after a goal – teach resilience and short memory
#4: Wrong hand position – use fun cues like “W for winner” or “basketball hands”
Quick FAQs
Q: My goalie is scared of the ball. What do I do?
Start with softer balls or beach balls. Build confidence gradually with easy catches before progressing.
Q: How often should youth goalies train?
1-2 times per week is plenty, plus regular team practice.
Q: One goalie is much better than the other. How do I handle this?
Pair them together! Better goalies can help teach. Adjust difficulty for each individually.
Q: Should young kids specialize as goalies?
Not yet! Let them play multiple positions. Specialization comes later (age 12+).
Final Thoughts
Youth goalkeeper training drills should be fun, active, and confidence-building. This 30-minute practice covers all the basics while keeping kids engaged. Remember: positive reinforcement goes a long way. Celebrate effort, not just results!
Your goalies will improve with:
- Consistent practice
- Patient coaching
- Lots of encouragement
- Making it fun!
Get out there and make some saves!
Youth goalkeeper training drills are just one piece of developing confident, skilled players. As you build their technical abilities, remember that building mental toughness in youth soccer players is equally important—goalies especially need resilience to bounce back from goals and stay focused under pressure. And with 2026 youth soccer age group changes coming this fall, your goalies may be adjusting to new teammates and age divisions. Consistent practice using these drills, combined with positive coaching and mental preparation, will help your young goalkeepers thrive both on and off the field.