Goalkeeper Arc Drill 1

Attackers Defenders Neutral Goalkeeper Pass Run Dribble Shot

Great keepers save shots before they're struck - by being in the right spot. This goalkeeper arc drill teaches U9–U16 keepers to shuffle along the imaginary arc that sits 2–6 yards off the goal line, staying between ball and goal so every shooting angle gets smaller. It's a foundation drill for stance, footwork, and positioning.

Find similar exercises in our goalkeeping drills collection or filter by age with drills for U13 teams.

Setup

• Scatter 10–12 balls across the penalty area at different angles and distances.
• Keeper starts in the middle of the goal.
• The coach or a capable server stands ready to move from ball to ball and shoot on target.

How It Works

1. The server moves to any ball and prepares to shoot; the keeper shuffles along the arc to line up with it.
2. The keeper must hold a position 2–6 yards off the line, directly between the ball and the center of the goal.
3. The server shoots on target; the keeper saves, releases the ball, and immediately resets.
4. The server moves straight to the next ball at a new angle, forcing the keeper to travel along the arc again.
5. Work through all the balls, then collect and repeat.

Coaching Points

• Body always between ball and goal - check the keeper's line on every shot.
• Never caught flat on the goal line; hold 2–6 yards of depth at all times.
• Shuffle sideways without crossing the feet, and move at speed between shots.
• Set the feet before each shot arrives, then catch cleanly whenever possible.

Variations

• Use two servers on opposite sides of the box, alternating shots so the keeper must travel farther and faster along the arc.
• Vary the serves: driven low, bounced, and lofted, so the keeper practices different save shapes.