I have never played goalkeeper in an actual game but I’m going to take a guess that breakaways are both the most exciting moment for a goalkeeper and the most feared. Sometimes keepers don’t get most action in a game but then there’s a breakaway or a corner kick and they have to make a save. Let’s look at a soccer drill for keeper focusing on breakaways.
Excellent soccer breakaways drill for both attackers and goalkeepers.
Soccer Breakaway Basics for Goalkeepers
Field size: half field or top of goal box area
Number of players: full team; one player working
Age range: 12-14 or older
Description: This is mainly a soccer drill for forwards, but it can’t hurt to have everyone try this drill, you never know when you have a defender who should actually be playing forward and end up switching positions. It’s also of course a good drill for goalkeepers. Breakaways happen more often than you think in soccer so it’s good to teach players have to remain calm when they’re one versus one with the goalkeeper.
A group of players in the center circle of the field pass the ball back and forth while a separate group of players, those who are going to shoot, or go on a breakaway, stand near the half way line on the right or left side. The shooters race back ten yards to the half way line and touch the line with their hand.
Once the players touch the line one of the players passing the ball around in the center circle plays a through ball to the player. The player gets a good first touch, pushing the ball out in front of them about five yards and then dribbles towards towards goal and takes a shot as fast as possible. Test it out a few times, where the player has to shoot after a few touch or even first time.
The key to this drill is having composure and actually not going too fast, or so fast the player is out of control. It’s better to go at a steady pace and in control rather than wildly dribbling at goal. The composed player knows when to shoot and can also pick out an open trailing player in a game.
Players should not hit the ball over the goal – try to force the keeper to make a save. They should try to slot the keeper and hit the ball on the ground low and to the corners just when the keeper is rushing out to win the ball. Sure, if the keeper is coming out too fast and early, players can try to chip the keeper, but the surest way to score is to surprise the keeper with a quick, hard shot low to the ground.
After the players have tried scoring on a breakaway from the right, switch them over to the left side.
Equipment needed: Just a soccer field with a goal.