• Master Individual Elements Before Combining Them – Combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots are advanced training tools that only work effectively when built on solid technical foundations. Before combining movements into complex sequences, goalkeepers must demonstrate consistent, correct execution of each separated element. This means mastering the footwork for positioning and corrections of position, techniques for low saves, the techniques for high saves, and all transitional movements independently before integrating them into combo drills. Rushing into complex combinations before technical mastery leads to reinforced poor technique rather than improved performance. The progressive approach, individual skill mastery, then consistency under repetition, then gradual complexity, ensures sustainable, high-quality movement patterns that hold up under match pressure.

• Vestibular System Training Creates Faster, More Balanced Goalkeepers – The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, controls balance, spatial orientation, and movement coordination, all critical for goalkeeper performance. When you add vestibular activation elements (like rotations, head movements, or direction changes) to combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots, you’re training the goalkeeper’s brain to process spatial information faster and maintain orientation during dynamic movements. This translates to four major performance improvements: faster positioning adjustments with better balance, quicker recovery after save reactions, more accurate ball tracking during body movement, and reduced disorientation during rapid direction changes. Goalkeepers with well-trained vestibular systems move more fluidly, recover faster between saves, and seem to have more time to react – through improved neurological processing speed.

• Applied Neuroscience Principles Train Both Brain and Body – Combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots that incorporate applied neuroscience principles go beyond physical technique to train cognitive functions essential for goalkeeper success. This means improving reaction times, decision-making under pressure, visual tracking of fast-moving objects, pattern recognition for shot anticipation, and attention management in chaotic game situations. Techniques like providing immediate feedback (rather than waiting until practice ends), deliberately overloading cognitive demands to force adaptation, and training sensorimotor connections (sensing to moving) create goalkeepers who not only move well but think faster. Over a decade of implementing these principles has shown that goalkeepers trained with this holistic approach react faster to shots, adjust positioning with better accuracy, maintain focus throughout games, read situations better, and recover more quickly from mistakes or difficult situations.

• Progressive Drill Design Creates Sustainable Performance Improvement – Effective combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots follow specific design principles: purposeful progression (clear training objectives), maintained technical foundation (never sacrifice technique for complexity), game relevance (movements that actually occur in matches), appropriate challenge (70-80% success rate for optimal learning), and clear feedback mechanisms. The framework moves from starting position through vestibular activation, first save, recovery/transition, second save, and final position, with each element building on the previous one. Progression should be systematic: beginner combos focus on simple two-save sequences, intermediate combos add vestibular elements and three-save sequences, and advanced combos integrate multiple vestibular activations with game-speed execution and decision-making. Integration into your training program matters too, early season emphasizes technical mastery with simple combinations, mid-season introduces complexity, and competition phase features high-intensity, game-specific sequences.

• Implementation Success Requires Individualization and Monitoring – Successfully implementing combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots requires more than just running the drills, it demands thoughtful session structure, appropriate training frequency for different age groups and levels, consistent monitoring of progress indicators, and individual customization based on each goalkeeper’s characteristics. Track positive indicators (improved balance, faster recovery, better technique under fatigue, increased confidence) and warning signs (technique degradation, increased injuries, persistent dizziness, mental fatigue), adjusting your approach accordingly. Remember that age, experience level, physical characteristics, and current form all affect how each goalkeeper responds to training.

Essential Prerequisites: Building the Foundation

Why Vestibular Training Matters for Goalkeepers

Incorporating vestibular system activation and applied neuroscience into handball goalkeeper training represents a cutting-edge approach to improving goalkeeper performance. But let’s move beyond complex terms, and talk about what this actually means on the court.

The Science Made Practical

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, plays a critical role in maintaining balance, coordinating movements, and spatial orientation, all of which are absolutely essential for goalkeepers. Activating this system through specific training exercises can significantly improve a goalkeeper’s ability to maintain equilibrium and stability during quick movements and save reactions.

But here’s what makes this training so powerful: it’s not about adding extra exercises to an already full training schedule. It’s about making the drills you’re already doing more effective by adding a vestibular component to them.

For example, instead of simply practicing save reactions to the left and right, you might add a 180-degree turn between saves. The saves are the same, but now you’re training the vestibular system simultaneously, making the drill more game-like and neurologically demanding.

Exercises That Stimulate the Vestibular System

In the context of handball goalkeeping, activating the vestibular system involves specific types of exercises and drills. These include:

Balance-Specific Positions:

• Single-leg stances before or after save movements
• Dynamic balance challenges that replicate game situations

Head Movement Integration:

• Slow, controlled head movements combined with body positioning
• Dynamic head movements during transitions between saves
• Visual tracking exercises that require head movement coordination

Proprioceptive Drills:

• These are more advanced versions that combine vestibular activation with heightened body awareness
• Movements performed with reduced visual input
• Complex multi-directional sequences that require constant body position adjustment

The key is progression. You start with simple vestibular activation (maybe just adding a head turn), and gradually build to more complex combinations as the goalkeeper’s system adapts and improves.

The Four Critical Areas Where Vestibular Training Impacts Performance

In the context of handball goalkeeping, activating the vestibular system is quite important because it involves a high degree of balance, agility, and spatial orientation, all of which are directly influenced by the vestibular system.

Here are the specific reasons why this training is essential for handball goalkeepers:

1. Fast Positioning and Balance

A handball goalkeeper has to frequently adjust their position quickly to effectively react to different shots from various angles. This requires excellent balance and spatial awareness to maintain stability and orientation even after sudden movements.

Think about the goalkeeper facing a fast break situation. The ball moves from player to player fast. The goalkeeper must track the ball, adjust their angle, stay balanced on their feet, and be ready to react suddenly in any direction for a save, all simultaneously. This is vestibular processing in action.

When we train this system specifically, goalkeepers can make these positional adjustments faster and more precisely. They waste less energy on overcorrections or balance recovery, meaning they’re always in the optimal position to react.

Practical Training Application: Combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots that include fast direction changes or rotations between saves directly train this positioning ability. Instead of static, predictable save sequences, goalkeepers learn to position themselves effectively even when slightly off-balance or in transition.

2. Save Reactions and Fast Recovery

When goalkeepers make save reactions, they need to react properly and effectively, and they also need to recover fast to be ready for rebounds and potential next shots. This repeated cycle of positioning, making save reactions, and returning to a ready starting goalkeeper position can be challenging for the vestibular system, which needs to quickly recalibrate after each movement to prevent disorientation and confusion.

The recovery phase is where many goalkeepers lose crucial time. After performing any kind of a save reaction, there’s a moment where the body needs to reorient, to understand where it is in space relative to the goal, where the next threat is coming from, and what the fastest path back to ready position is. A well-trained vestibular system processes all of this much faster.

Game Impact: In matches, rebounds and second shots are incredibly common. The goalkeeper who can recover faster from the first save has a massive advantage. This isn’t just about physical fitness and readiness, it’s about neurological processing speed. The goalkeeper whose vestibular system quickly recalibrates can be back in ready position while their opponent is still figuring out which way is up.

Training Progression: Start with combo drills that include simple recovery elements, maybe just getting back to starting position between saves. Gradually add complexity: recover and turn, recover and take two shuffle steps, recover and execute a different type of save. Each progression challenges the vestibular system to process information faster and more accurately.

3. Tracking the Ball

As the ball moves quickly across the court, goalkeepers have to track its speed and trajectory accurately. This involves fast eye movements and head adjustments, which are coordinated by the vestibular system to ensure that the goalkeeper’s perception of motion remains accurate.

Here’s something most people don’t realize: when your head moves, your eyes need to make compensatory movements to keep your visual focus stable. This is called the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), and it’s controlled by the vestibular system. When this reflex works properly, you can track a moving object clearly even while your head is moving.

For goalkeepers, this is crucial. They’re constantly moving (shuffling – positioning laterally, making save reaction, recovering and correcting a proper position after a save reaction), and throughout all of this movement, they need to maintain clear visual tracking of the ball. A poorly functioning vestibulo-ocular reflex means the ball appears to blur or jump during head movements, making accurate save decisions nearly impossible.

Training Application: When you include head movements or rotations in combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots, you’re training this reflex. The goalkeeper learns to maintain clear ball tracking even when their body is in motion or changing direction. This translates directly to better save selection and timing in games.

4. Training Drills and Specific Exercises

Specific training drills that involve rotating, jumping, and maintaining balance can help in strengthening the vestibular responses. These might include exercises like:

Rotational Drills:

• 180° or 360° jump turns between saves
• Spinning and stopping suddenly to focus on a specific point
• Rotation combined with immediate save reaction

Balance and Stability Challenges:

• Single-leg positioning before saves
• Landing from a jump and immediately transitioning to a save
• Moving a head prior to starting a save reaction
• Maintaining balance and stability while tracking multiple moving objects

Game-Like Sequences:

• Practice drills that replicate the fast changes in direction required during a game
• Multi-save sequences with different types of vestibular activation between each save
• Reactive drills where the goalkeeper must respond to unpredictable stimuli while managing balance

The beauty of these drills is that they’re not separate from technique training, they’re technique training with an added neurological component that makes the training more effective and more transferable to game situations.

The Bottom Line: Why This Matters

Activating and training the vestibular system can significantly improve a goalkeeper’s performance by improving their ability to remain balanced and oriented in the highly dynamic and physically demanding situations in handball games.

This aspect of training is essential not only for peak performance but also for injury prevention. A well-trained vestibular system helps maintain stability and control during high-intensity situations, reducing the risk of awkward landings, collisions, or movements that could lead to injury.

When I work with goalkeepers, I often see dramatic improvements in their movement quality and decision-making once we start integrating vestibular training. They move more fluidly, recover faster, and seem to have more time to react. That’s not “magic”, it’s applied neuroscience at work.

Applied Neuroscience in Goalkeeper Training

While vestibular training focuses on the physical systems of balance and orientation, applied neuroscience broadens our scope to include all the cognitive functions that impact goalkeeper performance. This is where training gets really interesting, and really effective.

What is Applied Neuroscience?

Applied neuroscience is a field that applies principles from neuroscience to improve cognitive functions related to sports performance. Instead of just training the body, we’re training the brain, or more specifically, the brain-body connection that determines how quickly and effectively a goalkeeper can perceive, decide, and act.

For handball goalkeepers, this means improving:

• Reaction times to shots of various speeds and types
• Decision-making under pressure when choosing between different save techniques
• Visual tracking of fast-moving objects (the ball, players, potential passing lanes)
• Pattern recognition that allows experienced goalkeepers to anticipate shots before they’re taken
• Attention management to focus on relevant information while filtering out distractions

Practical Applications in Training

Techniques such as neurofeedback, cognitive training principles, and sensorimotor training exercises are some of the ways used to sharpen these cognitive skills. But let’s translate this into practical training language.

Neurofeedback Principles: While formal neurofeedback requires specialized equipment, we can apply the underlying principles in training. This means giving goalkeepers immediate, specific feedback about their performance so their brains can adjust and optimize more quickly. Instead of waiting until the end of practice to discuss what went wrong, we provide real-time information that allows for faster learning.

Cognitive Training Principles: This involves deliberately overloading the cognitive demands of training to force adaptation. For example:

• Adding decision-making components to technical drills
• Introducing unpredictable elements that require rapid assessment
• Creating scenarios with multiple simultaneous information streams
• Practicing under fatigue when cognitive processing is harder

Sensorimotor Training: This bridges the gap between sensing (perception) and moving (motor action). It’s about training the goalkeeper to take in information from their environment and translate it immediately into appropriate movement responses. Combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots are perfect for this because they require the goalkeeper to process multiple types of information and execute complex movement sequences in rapid succession.

The Results You Can Expect

Integrating vestibular system activation and applied neuroscience into goalkeeper training can lead to visible improvements in performance. I’ve been using these principles in my handball goalkeeper coaching for about 15 years now, and the results have been remarkable.

Goalkeepers trained with these methods can:

• React faster to shots, particularly to shots that require quick changes in save technique or direction
• Adjust their positioning with better accuracy, making fewer wasted movements and conserving energy
• Maintain focus throughout the game, even in the late stages when fatigue typically degrades performance
• Read the game better, picking up on subtle cues that telegraph what type of shot is coming
• Recover more quickly from mistakes or difficult situations, staying mentally present

This holistic approach not only improves physical capabilities but also optimizes mental processing and decision-making, crucial for the split-second judgments required in goalkeeping.

Beyond Physical Training

What I find most exciting about this approach is that it recognizes goalkeeping for what it truly is: a cognitive-physical skill. For too long, goalkeeper training focused almost exclusively on physical technique, footwork, arm positioning, saving techniques. These all things are very important, but they’re only part of the picture.

The goalkeeper who sees the shot earlier, who processes information faster, who maintains clear thinking under pressure, that goalkeeper has an advantage that’s just as significant as superior saving technique. Applied neuroscience gives us the tools to train these cognitive aspects systematically rather than hoping they develop naturally through experience.

The combination of vestibular system activation and applied neuroscience in handball goalkeeper training offers a modern, scientifically backed method to boost performance. By focusing on both the physical and cognitive aspects of goalkeeping, coaches can provide their athletes with the tools needed for success on the court, making saves that were once thought impossible and elevating their game to new levels.

Building Effective Combo Drills for Saves of 9-Meter Shots

Now that we understand the scientific foundation, let’s talk about how to construct effective combo drills. The goal is to create training sequences that are challenging, game-like, and progressively build the goalkeeper’s capacity.

Key Principles for Combo Drill Design

1. Purposeful Progression Every combo drill should have a clear training objective. Are you working on:

• Speed of transition between high and low saves?
• Balance and stability maintenance during quick direction changes?
• Decision-making under time pressure?
• Recovery speed after save reactions?

Define your purpose first, then design the drill around it.

2. Technical Foundation Never sacrifice technique for complexity. If adding vestibular activation or combining elements causes technique to break down, simplify the drill. Better to do a simpler drill correctly than a complex drill poorly.

3. Game Relevance Ask yourself: “When would this combination of movements occur in a game?” The best combo drills mirror real game situations. If you’re combining movements that would never occur sequentially in a match, then please reconsider your drill design.

4. Appropriate Challenge The drill should be difficult enough to require focus and effort, but not so difficult that the goalkeeper fails repeatedly. Aim for about 70-80% success rate, this is the “sweet spot” for learning and adaptation.

5. Clear Feedback Mechanisms Goalkeepers need to know what success looks like. Build clear success criteria into your drills:

• Did they maintain proper technique?
• Was their transition time fast enough?
• Did they stay balanced throughout?
• Were they in proper position for each save?

Sample Combo Drill Framework

Here’s a basic framework for creating combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots:

Starting Position → Vestibular Activation → First Save Reaction → Recovery/Transition → Second Save Reaction → Final Position

Let’s break this down:

Starting Position:

• Goalkeeper in proper ready stance
• Focused and prepared
• Clear visual target

Vestibular Activation:

• Could be a 180° turn for example
• A head rotation
• A jump with rotation

First Save:

• Typically to one side and to one corner (high or low)
• Full technical execution
• Explosive and committed

Recovery/Transition:

• Return to feet if sliding or low side step save
• Reorient properly to cover the goal
• Possibly include another vestibular element
• Quick repositioning

Second Save:

• Usually to the opposite side or height
• Different save technique
• Maintains quality despite fatigue

Final Position:

• Return to proper ready stance
• Demonstrates complete recovery
• Ready for next repetition

Progression Examples

Beginner Combo: Starting position → Save low right → Recover to starting position → Save high left

Intermediate Combo: Starting position → 180° turn → Save low right → Quick recovery with head turn → Save high left

Advanced Combo: Starting position → 360° spin → Save high right (diving) → Fast recovery → 180° turn → Save low left → Immediate recovery → Quick shuffle right → Save middle height

Notice how each level adds complexity while maintaining the core technical elements.

Integration with Your Training Program

Combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots work best when integrated thoughtfully into your overall training program:

Early Season:

• Focus on technical mastery of individual save reactions
• Simple combinations without vestibular activation
• High volume, moderate intensity

Mid Season:

• Introduce vestibular elements gradually
• Build combo drill complexity
• Moderate volume, increasing intensity

Late Season/Competition Phase:

• Complex, game-specific combinations
• High intensity, lower volume
• Focus on maintaining quality under fatigue

Off-Season:

• Return to technical refinement
• Experimental combinations
• Build capacity for next season
• Work on increasing the speed of information processing

My Experience with Applied Neuroscience in Coaching

I have started using principles of applied neuroscience in my handball goalkeeper coaching about 15 years ago, and I have noticed big improvements amongst the goalkeepers I have worked with.

When I first started incorporating these principles, I’ll admit I was somewhat skeptical. Could adding head turns and jump rotations really make that much difference? What I discovered was that yes, they absolutely can, but only when applied systematically and progressively.

The goalkeepers I work with consistently report feeling more “in control” during games. They describe having more time to react, even though objectively the game speed hasn’t changed. What’s changed is their neurological processing speed and their vestibular system’s ability to maintain orientation during dynamic movements.

I really enjoy talking about this part of my coaching work when I lecture around the world, as these are some more advanced, and newer ideas in goalkeeper coaching that many coaches are curious about. The questions I get are always insightful, and I learn as much from the discussions as the participants do.

What I find particularly rewarding is seeing younger goalkeepers, those still developing their technique, integrate these principles early. They develop movement patterns that include proper balance and spatial awareness from the start, rather than having to retrain these elements later in their careers.

Key Lessons from Over a Decade of Application

Start Simple: You don’t need to revolutionize your entire training program overnight. Add one vestibular element to one drill. See how your goalkeepers respond. Adjust and progress from there.

Listen to Your Goalkeepers: Some goalkeepers adapt to vestibular training immediately. Others need more gradual exposure. Some respond better to rotational movements, others to head movements. Pay attention to individual differences.

Be Patient: The vestibular system adapts, but it takes time. Don’t expect immediate transformation. Look for gradual improvements over weeks and months, not days.

Measure Progress: Keep track of metrics like save percentage, reaction time, recovery speed. Document what you see. Sometimes the improvements are so gradual we don’t notice them unless we’re deliberately measuring.

Stay Current: This field is evolving quickly. New research emerges regularly. Stay curious, stay informed, and be willing to adapt your methods as we all learn more.

Video Demonstrations: Combo Drills in Action

Now that we’ve covered the theory, principles, and progressions, it’s time to see these concepts in action. Below you’ll find several video demonstrations of combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots that incorporate the vestibular activation and applied neuroscience principles we’ve discussed.

How to Use These Videos

For Coaches:

1. Watch the complete drill first to understand the flow
2. Review the technical breakdown to identify key teaching points
3. Note the progression options to adapt for your goalkeepers’ levels
4. Use the coaching cues provided during your training sessions
5. Film your goalkeepers and compare their execution to the demonstrations (you can reach out to me if you need help with this part, because I offer personalized technique breakdown)

For Goalkeepers:

1. Study the complete movement pattern
2. Break down each element and practice separately if needed
3. Pay attention to the vestibular components and how they’re integrated
4. Notice the balance and body control throughout the sequence
5. Practice at slower speeds first, then gradually increase intensity
6. Film yourself performing any of the suggested drills, and compare your execution to the demonstrations (you can also reach out to me if you need help with this part as well, because I offer personalized technique breakdown for goalkeepers)

Drill Categories

The videos are organized by complexity and focus area:

Basic Combinations:

• Simple two-save sequences
• Single vestibular activation element
• Focus on maintaining technique

Intermediate Combinations:

• Three-save sequences
• Multiple vestibular elements
• Increased speed and intensity

Advanced Combinations:

• Complex multi-save sequences
• Integrated vestibular activation throughout
• Game-speed execution with decision-making components

Specialized Drills:

• Position-specific combinations
• Situation-based sequences
• Advanced neuroscience applications

Implementation Guidelines: Making This Work in Your Training

You now have the knowledge, the principles, and the visual demonstrations. The final step is implementing these combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots effectively in your actual training sessions.

Session Structure Recommendations

Warm-Up Integration (5-7 minutes):

• Simple vestibular activation exercises
• Balance and stability work
• Visual tracking drills
• Progressive movement preparation

Technical Work (15-20 minutes):

• Individual save technique refinement
• Isolated elements of combo drills
• Feedback and correction
• Low intensity, high precision

Combo Drill Practice (15-20 minutes):

• Full combo drill sequences
• Progressive difficulty
• Multiple repetitions with rest
• Moderate to high intensity

Game-Situation Application (10-12 minutes):

• Combo drills with shooters
• Reactive scenarios
• Competition elements
• High intensity

Cool-Down (5-10 minutes):

• Simple balance and stability work
• Static vestibular recalibration
• Reflection and feedback

Training Frequency Suggestion

For Developing Goalkeepers (Under 16):

• 1-2 sessions per week
• Focus on technical mastery
• Simple combinations only
• Gradual progression

For Developing Elite Goalkeepers (16-20):

• 2 sessions per week
• Balance technique and complexity
• Moderate to advanced combinations
• Systematic progression

For Elite/Professional Goalkeepers:

• 3-4 sessions per week
• Maintain technique, push complexity
• Advanced combinations and variations
• Specific game situations
• Individual customization

Monitoring and Adjustment

Track these key indicators to know if your combo drill implementation is effective:

Positive Indicators:

• Improved balance during dynamic movements
• Faster recovery times between saves
• Better save technique under fatigue
• Increased confidence in complex situations
• Reduced instances of disorientation

Warning Signs:

• Technique degradation
• Increased injury occurrence
• Persistent dizziness or nausea
• Mental fatigue or decreased motivation
• Plateaued or declining performance

If you see warning signs, reduce complexity, volume, or intensity. Return to simpler progressions and rebuild gradually.

Individual Customization

Remember that every goalkeeper is different. What works perfectly for one may need adjustment for another. Consider:

Age and Development: Younger goalkeepers need more time on technical foundations and simpler combinations. Older, more experienced goalkeepers can handle bigger complexity.

Experience Level: A goalkeeper new to these methods needs more gradual introduction than one who’s been training with vestibular activation for years.

Physical Characteristics: Taller goalkeepers may need different vestibular training emphases than shorter ones. Body proportions affect balance and recovery.

Learning Style: Some goalkeepers learn faster through visual demonstration, others through feel and proprioception. Adapt your teaching methods accordingly.

Current Form: When a goalkeeper is performing well, you can push harder. When they’re struggling, return to fundamentals and simpler progressions.

Conclusion: The Future of Goalkeeper Training

Combo drills for saves of 9-meter shots that integrate vestibular system activation and applied neuroscience principles represent the cutting edge of goalkeeper training. But they’re not just theoretical concepts, they’re practical, proven methods that produce real results.

As we continue to learn more about how the brain and body work together in high-performance sports, our training methods will continue to evolve. The goalkeepers who embrace these advances, who train both their bodies and their neurological systems, will have significant advantages over those who rely solely on traditional training approaches.

The key is to start where you are, use what you have, and progress systematically. You don’t need perfect conditions or elaborate equipment. You need understanding, intentionality, and consistency.

Start with simple combinations. Add vestibular elements gradually. Pay attention to technique always. Progress deliberately. And watch as your goalkeepers develop into more complete, more capable, more confident athletes.

The future of goalkeeper training is here. It combines time-tested technical foundations with cutting-edge neuroscience. It recognizes that great goalkeeping is both physical and cognitive. And it gives us the tools to develop both aspects systematically and effectively.

I hope this blog post will serve you well as you implement these concepts in your training. If you have questions, experiences to share, or ideas to discuss, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Now, let’s get to work. Those combo drills won’t practice themselves, and your goalkeepers have some important saves to make. 😉 Below you will find videos of several combo drills ideas.

Video – Vestibular System Activation in Saves of High and Low Shots

Video – Combo Exercise With the Resistance Band for Saves of Low and High Shots

In the video below you can see one of the combo drills versions for save reactions of low and high shots. This combo drill has many progressions and options, depending on what you want to work on.

Just keep in mind that you should always take care that your goalkeeper is performing a proper technique and that you should adjust the complexity level of this exercise to the level of your goalkeeper. Besides that, you can be creative and add as many different versions and options of it as you want.

Video – Combo for Saves of Low and High Shots From 9 Meters With a High Cone

In this video, you can see a combo drill for save reactions on low and high shots from 9 meters with a high cone. This exercise has many progressions and options, depending on what exactly you want to work on. This combo drill has a fun element to it that is very good when working with young goalkeepers. They love having a “target” or an additional task to do (external focus), so picking up the high cone and placing it on the other side of the body always works well when we want to get our young goalkeepers to make a little bit deeper side step for a low save reaction. As you can see – there is a flat cone at the place where the goalkeeper is starting in the basic stance. But if you want, you can add flat cones on each side, as a point on which you want a goalkeeper to place the high cone – thus making a deeper or shorter side step.

Just keep in mind that you should always take care that your goalkeeper is performing proper technique and that you should adjust the level and complexity of the drill to the level of your goalkeepers.

Video – Shooting Combo Drill for Saves of High and Low Shots

This is what happens when players and head coach need the whole court and I have only small corner behind the goal to work with goalkeepers. In this video you can see a combo for saves of high and low shots from 9 meter, shots in hands and shots between the legs.

This is a very effective combo drill to work on after your goalkeeper is able to perform properly movements for saves of high and low shots. You can always break this combo in more simple elements, and use slower pace of shots, depending on what your goal is with the exercise.

To add more agility and power in the movements, we have used SKLZ Recoil 360™ All-Position Resistance Trainers.

Video – Warm-Up Combo for Saves of Low and High Shots From 9 Meters

In the video below you can find some of the warm-up combo drill ideas that combine technique for saves of high and low shots from 9 meters, and you can use them in the warm-up phase of your training with the goalkeepers.