Game version
Catching game: a partner rolls or tosses balls to low, middle and high spots. Each pair counts clean catches.
Goalkeeper Ready Position and Catches
Learn the keeper's ready stance and safe catching shapes for low, middle and high balls.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth soccer coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Stand on your toes with hands at waist height.
Core: Mixed. Beat your own best out of 10.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 10 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Soccer ball, partner, gloves if you have them
- Level · skill
- Developing · Defending
The steps
How it works
- Stand on your toes with hands at waist height.
- Your partner rolls, then tosses, then softly kicks balls at you.
- Scoop low balls, basket middle balls into your chest, and make a W with your hands for high balls.
- Do 30 catches.
Coaching point
Hands first, body behind the ball.
Safety: Practice falls on soft grass or a mat, start from your knees, and never dive at a player's feet without a coach.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (soft rolls), Core (mixed), More (call low, middle or high before you catch). Beat your own best out of 10.
Story
You are a goalkeeper in a cape, and your hands are magnets.
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
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Save this drill to your child or team, free
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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.