Goalkeeper footwork and set position soccer drill
This goalkeeper drill has the keeper shuffle sideways between two cones, stop in a balanced set position and save a ball rolled or passed gently by a partner. It trains quick side steps and being still and ready at the moment of the shot.
Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.
Goalkeeper footwork and set position: setup diagram
At a glance
| Detail | For this drill |
|---|---|
| Ages | U10 to U12 (ages 9 to 12) |
| Players | Pairs or threes; every player can take a turn |
| Space | 10 x 10 yd (9 x 9 m) |
| Equipment | One ball per pair; 4 cones; goalkeeper gloves if available |
| Time | 8 to 10 minutes |
| Skill | Goalkeeping basics |
Change the size of the area to fit your group: bigger makes it easier for the player with the ball, smaller makes it harder. Everyone who goes out comes straight back in, and nobody runs laps.
How to run it
- Two cones 4 yards apart make a goal. The server stands 6 yards out with a ball.
- The keeper side-steps from one cone to the other without crossing their feet.
- As the keeper reaches the cone, the server says “set”. The keeper stops: feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, weight on the toes, hands out in front at waist height.
- The server rolls the ball along the ground, by hand, to one side of the keeper. The keeper steps across and gathers it with both hands, then rolls it back.
- Six balls, then swap. All service is rolled or passed softly from close range.
Coaching points to say out loud
- “Small, quick steps.”
- “Set before the shot.”
- “Hands ready, in front.”
- “Step, then save.”
Make it easier or harder
Easier
Roll the ball straight at the keeper, so the only job is the set position and a clean pick-up.
Harder
The server passes with the foot, gently, and varies the side. The keeper touches a cone, then recovers to the middle and sets.
Common mistakes
- Still moving sideways when the ball is struck. A keeper who is moving cannot push off.
- Standing tall with hands by the sides.
- Crossing the feet while shuffling, which leads to tripping.
Why it matters in a game
Our keeper lessons say it in two words: get set. A goalkeeper who is in position and still when the shot comes can save shots to both sides, while one who is still moving can only save in the direction they are travelling.
The lesson that teaches it: Keeper: Defend the Goal or the Space.
Questions about Goalkeeper footwork and set position
What is the set position for a goalkeeper?
A balanced, ready stance at the moment of the shot: feet about shoulder-width apart, knees bent, weight forward on the toes, hands in front of the body.
At what age should kids start goalkeeper training?
US small-sided games have no goalkeepers until U9 and U10. From then, every player should take turns in goal and learn the basics, with gentle service.
Should young keepers dive?
Start with footwork: stepping across to get the body behind the ball. Low collapsing saves can be added later on soft ground, taught by someone who knows how.
Lessons that teach this idea
- Keeper: Defend the Goal or the Space (Futsal lesson)Adjust the goalkeeper’s depth to the attacker’s threat and whether a defender still provides cover.
- Watch What Happens After the Shot (7v7 lesson)A wide midfielder reads a loose rebound or a goalkeeper’s controlled ball before deciding whether to approach or recover.
- Your Keeper Can Help (7v7 lesson)Pass back to your keeper when the way is clear. The keeper must play it with their feet, not hands. If it's covered, pick another teammate.
Related drills and guides
- Goalkeeper catching: W and basket (drill)It trains safe hands, and getting the body behind the ball as a second barrier.
- Goalkeeper angles (drill)It trains positioning: being in the right spot, a step or two off the goal line, before the shot is taken.
- Goalkeeper distribution (drill)It trains accurate distribution, and choosing the teammate who is free.
- Follow the shot (drill)It trains the habit of following in after every shot, so the attacker reaches the loose ball first.
- Goalkeeper in soccerThe job, the skills and where to stand
- The back-pass ruleWhen the goalkeeper must use their feet
- Soccer age groups explainedWhat U6, U8, U10 and U12 mean
- U10 soccer drills for 9 and 10 year oldsTen drills for 9 and 10 year olds: rondos, first touch, 2v1 and first goalkeeping
- U12 soccer drills for 11 and 12 year oldsTen drills for 11 and 12 year olds: 4v2 rondos, possession, defending in pairs and finishing
- Soccer goalkeeper drills for kidsSet position, catching, angles and distribution for U10 and U12, with soft service
- All goalkeeping basics drillsFootwork, safe hands and starting the attack. From U10, with soft service.
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.