The Technical Department of the Football Association offers this developmental program for goalkeepers which traces a progression for teaching young keepers. This article was first published in the FA magazine Insight in the summer of 1999.

8- to 10-year-olds
Physical:

• Game-oriented
  
• Balance
  
• Coordination

• Set position
  
• General handling techniques — thrown service, all heights, small goal
  
• Distribution: Control and short passing
  
• Rolling to a teammate
  
• Volleying from hands

• Rotation of positions – everybody plays in each position

• Warm-up, cool down
  
• Introduction to basic stretching
  
• Ball familiarity – size 3

• Fun and enjoyable.
  
• Simple progression in techniques – “one step at a time”

• Height-weight – measure in January, May, September
  
• Balance
  
• Coordination
  
• Rhythm

• Set position
  
• General handling techniques – thrown/kicked service – all heights
  
• Positional play – introduction to “into and down the line,” small goals
  
• Basic diving techniques – general principles
  
• Dealing with crosses – thrown services
  
• Distribution
  
• Control and short passing – both feet
  
• Rolling/over arm throws to teammates
  
• Volleying from hands/short goal kicks
  
• 1 v. 1 Principles

• The role of the goalkeeper – basic technical principles
  
• Discussion

• Warm-ups/cool downs
  
• The importance of stretching
  
• Ball familiarity – size 4
  
• Flexibility and mobility

• Simple progression in techniques – set standards
  
• Theoretical, group work – What qualities does a goalkeeper need?

• Height/weight – measure in January, April, July, October
  
• Footwork: balance/coordination/rhythm/tempo, all directions
  
• Speed – 15 meters maximum

• Set position/general handling techniques, all heights
  
• Shot stopping – decision making, techniques of catching/deflecting
  
• Narrowing the angle – into line and down the line, full size goal
  
• Diving techniques – collapsing save/step and save/step, power and save
  
• Basic practices to improve reactions
  
• Dealing with crosses – chipped serve, unopposed, catching/punching
  
• Distribution
  
• Dealing with the back pass
  
• Importance of support/availability
  
• Control and increased range of passing, both feet
  
• All techniques of throwing – roll/javelin/over arm
  
• Goal kicks/volleying/introduction to half volleying
  
• 1 v. 1
  
• “Quality, not quantity”

• Distances of support
  
• Communication
  
• Terminology
  
• Game-related situations – small-sided games – decision-making

• Warm-ups/cool-downs
  
• Goalkeeping-related stretching
  
• Flexibility
  
• Mobility exercises

• Motivational/technical videos
  
• Talks – 15 minutes maximum
  
• The full-size goal – dealing with the problems that will arise
  
• Match and training preparation
  
• Growth and development: diet and nutrition:
  
• Lifestyle
  
• Dealing with assessment
  
• Selection/trialists
  
• Dealing with praise/criticism

• Height/weight – measure in January, March, May, July, September, November
  
• Body fat
  
• Balance/coordination/rhythm/tempo
  
• All directions speed – 20 meters maximum

• Footwork/set position/general handling techniques
  
• All diving techniques – collapse/step and save/step power and save
  
• Narrowing the angle – triangle theory
  
• Shot stopping/catch or deflect/recovery saves
  
• Intermediate practices to improve reactions
  
• Dealing with crosses
  
• Served from all areas, opposed
  
• Working within the defensive unit
  • Functional/small-sided
    
  • Game/phase of play
    
  • Distribution
    
  • Dealing with the back pass
    
  • Angles and distance of support
    
  • Communication/control – first touch/both feet
    
  • Position of teammates/selection/best option
    
  • Quality of pass/readjustment of position
    
  • Variation of pass
    
  • Goal kicks/volleys/half volleys/side volleys
    
  • Improved range/variation in throwing techniques
    
  • Seminar work, videos, training/matches, feedback

• Key issues in distances of support – attacking/midfield/defensive thirds
  
• Communication – instructional
  
• Game-related situations – small-sided games/phases of play, 11 v. 11
  
• Organization – defending set play, corners and free kicks

• Stretching, flexibility, mobility and strengthening exercises
  
• Introduction to agility exercises – low intensity/low reps
  
• Introduction to basic plyometrics, theory

• Motivational talks/videos – 15 minutes maximum
  
• Group discussions/presentations
  
• Training/match preparation
  
• Lifestyle/discipline
  
• Living away from home
  
• Dealing with competition: trialists/influx of foreign goalkeepers
  
• Physical confrontation
  
• Dealing with pressure – internal/external
  
• Dealing with failure

• Height/weight – weekly
  
• Body fat – monthly
  
• Balance/coordination/rhythm/tempo
  
• Speed – 20 meters maximum

• Footwork/set position/general handling techniques
  
• All diving techniques – collapse/step/step and save/step, power and save
  
• Narrowing the angle – triangle theory
  
• Shot stopping/catch or deflect/recovery saves
  
• Advanced reaction practices
  
• Dealing with crosses
  • Opposed
• Working within defensive unit
  • Functional/small-sided games/phases of play
    
  • Distribution
    
  • Dealing with the back pass
    
  • Angles and distance of support
    
  • Communication/control-first
    
  • Touch/both feet
    
  • Position of teammates
    
  • Selection – best option
    
  • Timing, weight and accuracy of pass
    
  • Readjustment of position
    
  • Improved range/accuracy of passing
• All techniques
  • Improved range of throwing techniques
    
  • Best option.

• Key issues in distances of support – attacking/midfield/defensive thirds
  
• Communication – instructional
  
• Game related situations – small-sided games/phases of play, 11 v. 11
  
• Organization – defending set plays, corners/free kicks
  
• Problem solving

• Warm-ups/cool-downs
  
• Goalkeeping related stretching/flexibilty
  
• Mobility/agility – medium intensity, low reps
  
• Plyometrics – understanding techniques progressions

• Application/attitude
  
• “Coach-ability” – ability to take on information
  
• Composure/temperament/dealing with pressure
  
• Concentration
  
• Confidence
  
• Consistency
  
• Courage – physical and mental
  
• Desire/determination/winning mentality
  
• Goal-setting/imagery
  
• Patience – “Lack of Opportunity”