The Last Line

Set, save, and start the attack — a keeper's night on handling, shot-stopping, and commanding the box.

Soccer
U16
60 min
2–6 keepers (outfielders can serve and shoot)
1 coach
Effort 3/5
One goal and the penalty area
u16
goalkeeping
shot-stopping
handling
distribution

The PitchPlans coaching teamGAA Award 1 & 2 coaches

Kit: 10 footballs, a goal, 16 cones, 4 bibs, gloves

Warm-up8 min

Hands and Feet

Setup: Keepers in pairs about six metres apart, one ball each pair, off to the side of the goal. A short cone ladder or line of flat cones each.

How it works: Start with handling: firm throws to the chest, then either side, keeper catching with the hands in a solid shape behind the ball and pulling it into the body. Then low balls, getting the body down behind each one. Add quick feet through the cones and a catch at the end, so the hands work while the feet are busy. Build from gentle to sharp over the eight minutes.

What to say

“Tell them: 'hands behind the ball, thumbs together for the high one, little fingers together for the low one.'”
“Say: 'catch it into your chest and hug it — no spilled second chances.'”
“Look for a still, balanced base at the moment of the catch.”

Easier

Softer, slower serves straight at the keeper to groove the catch.

Harder

Sharper serves to either side and a spin-and-catch so they must find the ball late.

Activity14 min

Set and Save

Setup: The full goal. A shooting line about fourteen metres out with a stack of balls. Keeper on their line. Cones mark a good starting position, a step off the goal line.

How it works: Shooters strike low and firm at the corners, one at a time. The keeper's job is to be set — feet stopped, weight forward, hands ready — a moment before the ball is struck, then push off the near foot to save. Work one side then the other, mixing low drives and balls they must get down to. Every save is held or pushed wide, never spilled back into danger. After a set, the keeper resets their starting position and goes again.

What to say

“Say: 'get set before the shot — feet stopped, on your toes, hands out of your pockets.'”
“Tell them: 'get your body behind the ball, hands lead, save with a barrier not a swat.'”
“Push the save wide of the post or hold it — never back out in front of goal.”

Easier

Shots rolled in firmly so the keeper can groove the footwork and the set.

Harder

Shooter takes a touch either way before striking, so the keeper must adjust their set late.

Activity14 min

Command the Box

Setup: The full goal and the penalty area. A wide server with a supply of balls to deliver crosses. A couple of attackers and, when you can, a defender to make it realistic.

How it works: Two jobs in one. First, crosses: the keeper decides early whether to come and claim or to stay, calls it loud, and takes the high ball at its highest point with a strong jump. Then breakaways: a striker runs through one against one and the keeper must narrow the angle, stay big and patient, and only go to ground when the striker commits. Alternate a cross and a breakaway so the keeper is always reading the picture.

What to say

“Tell them: 'decide early and call it — keeper's ball, and mean it.'”
“Say: 'on the one-against-one, close the space then get set, stay big, be patient.'”
“For the high ball: 'attack it at the top of your jump, take off on one foot, protect yourself with the other knee.'”

Easier

Floated, accurate crosses to a set spot and a slower one-against-one to build confidence.

Harder

Driven crosses with a defender and attacker competing, and a striker who can shoot early on the breakaway.

The rest of this session is free — along with 3 more this week.

PitchPlans coaching team

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