Of all the games that goalkeepers play at camp, "keeper wars" is by far the most popular. It has everything we want: competiton, kicking, diving, throwing, positional play, psychology, and last, but not least, fun. As a player, I have to admit, this game was one I always looked forward to playing.

I have created an environment with this one simple game that is both fun and competitive for the keepers. Out of these sessions, not only do I get a better understanding of where each keeper is technically, but I also get a view of the players' competitive fire.

Here's the setup:

• Two full-size goals facing each other 18-22 yards apart (the distance depends on the ability of keepers).
• A bunch of balls placed outside the posts of each goal.
• Outside boundary: the edge of the six-yard box.

The rules are as follows:

• A keeper with a ball starts on his or goal line.
• He or she has two steps to either kick or throw the ball into the other keeper's goal.
• If a goal is scored, the scoring keeper regains possession and repeats.
• If the defensive keeper makes the save, he or she can throw or kick from where the save is made.
• If a save is made but the ball is dropped, the keeper must start on the goal line.
• If the throw or kick goes high or wide, the goalkeeper on defense gets possession.
• Rebounds (off the post, crossbar or keeper) must be shot first-time if the ball remains inbounds.
• The game is played to three (although scoring is up to you). Always compete for a winner.

In the game I describe above, there are no restrictions on how the attacker/keeper can score. So if you have a keeper who can hit a laser of a drop kick, then that player will likely dominate that particular game.

Restrictions can be placed on both the attacker (keeper with the ball) and the defensive keeper.

All keepers have their own strength when it comes to the distribution side of the game. While it is good that they are proficient in a particular area, a coach must demand that they bring up the level in their weaker areas. At the higher levels of play, it is inevitable that weaknesses will be cruelly exposed. In these training environments, don't let your players hide their weaknesses.

Restrictions

• In a game to three, players cannot score the same way all three times. The good drop kicker would have to score another way (i.e., a throw) in order to win the game.
• Players must score with a kick or throw from their "weak" side.

Consequences for inaccurate shooting or throwing:

• Each miss is a strike.
• Three strikes equals a goal against the attacker.

In the basic game there was no real consequence for dropped or parried balls other than the fact that they must return to the line to start. I want my keepers to hold everything they can and not give rebounds or corner kicks. The rewards for holding the shot on the first try is that they can play it from where they caught it. If they used any angle play at all, the distance to the other goal has decreased and they have an excellent change to score. The consequence for tipping a ball over or punching it is a "corner kick" give to the other team. What that really means is the other keeper gets another crack at scoring.

One of the main reasons I put this restriction on is because keepers, as a whole, are pretty smart. They figure that the key to the game is to get possession. Without the corner kick rule, any save the least bit uncomfortable will be tipped over or touched wide knowing they get the ball back. I want the keepers going for, and holding, the uncomfortable save. Of course there are those shots that merit a tip or deflection. But with that corner kick rule, you can be sure the keeper that used that type of save only as a last resort. 

I have seen a significant improvement in the UNC keepers to go for and hold shots that they had traditionally thought out of their range. They are no longer willing to conced corner kicks so freely.

With more that two keepers at a training session, play so that the winner stays on. Or hold a team competition.

In the end these types of environments benefit everyone. The keepers get high repetitions of the different types of distribution and shot handling and the coach will be able to evaluate what technical aspects need more focus in future sessions. 

Editor's Note: Chris Ducar is goalkeeper coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of North Carolina. He was also goalkeeper coach for the U.S. U-21 National Team. The 2006 NSCAA Glenn "Mooch" Myernick College Assistant Coach of the Year, Ducar holds the NSCAA Premier Diploma and U.S. Soccer "A" license. This article first appeared in the January/February 2000 issue of Soccer Journal.