Game version
Kneeling-reach saves: a partner rolls soft balls to either side and you reach and scoop into your chest. The pair counts clean saves.
Keeper Kneeling Reach Saves
The first saves for young keepers, on your knees: reach to the side and scoop a soft roll into your chest. Nothing standing at this age.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth soccer coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Kneel on soft grass or a mat, hands ready in front of you.
Core: A little farther. Beat your own best out of 10.
- Ages
- 7 to 10
- Time
- 6 min
- Players
- You and a partner or parent
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Soft ball, grass or a mat, partner or parent
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Defending
The steps
How it works
- Kneel on soft grass or a mat, hands ready in front of you.
- Your parent rolls a soft ball just to one side, within reach.
- Reach with both hands, scoop it up and pull it into your chest.
- Up to 10 saves, both sides.
Coaching point
Hands behind the ball, then bring it in close.
Safety: Use a soft ball or a tennis ball indoors. Thumbs and little fingers never overlap. The thrower never throws hard from close range. Stop if a finger or wrist hurts. Only on soft grass or a mat, on your knees.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (close), Core (a little farther), More (a surprise side). Beat your own best out of 10.
Story
You are a goalkeeper in a cape, saving the day from your knees.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free soccer week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.