Futsal

Goalkeeper Manual

Adapted from FIFA

Compiled by Gary White & David Griffiths

Futsal Goalkeeper Manual

Technical Maneuvers
Offensive Clearances
This is when the goalkeeper recovers the ball and then returns it to play by throwing or kicking.
Activity #1 - Clearances to cones
Four cones are set out on different parts of the pitch at different distances. The goalkeeper has a supply
of balls available in the goal and throws them out trying to hit the cones.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching points:

Practices the
technique of
making a
clearance.

Same exercise,
but the goalkeeper
kicks the bail out

Focus on the
goalkeeper's inclined
body posit ion when
making the
clearance

A defender can
be placed around
the second
penalty mark to
make the exercise
more difficult

Focus on the arc

that the goalkeeper's
arm should make
when throwing the
ball

Activity #2 - Clearances to the pivot

One attacker and one defender. The goalkeeper has to match the throw to the attacker's movement as he
tries to lose his marker.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Clearing the
ball in a match
situation.

Same exercise,
but the ball is
kicked out.

In addition to the
previous coaching
points, the attacker
also has to
synchronize his
movement to the
goalkeeper's
clearance.

Futsal Goalkeeper Manual

Defensive Positioning
The goalkeeper must try to take up the most effective position possible when facing an attack from the
opponents.
Activity #1 - Shots from different angles
Three attackers at different locations on the pitch each have various balls. The attackers take it in turns to
shoot and the goalkeeper must correct his positioning for the next shot.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Maintaining
correct
positioning with
shots from
different angles.

The attackers
are given
numbers and the
coach indicates
which player
should shoot, not
necessarily in
numerical
order

The goalkeeper
should have his
weight on his toes
so
that he is better
able to react

A defender can
be placed in t he
way to make
positioning more
difficult

The goalkeeper
should always try
to take up a
position
on the imaginary
line between the
ball and the centre
of the goal

Activity #2 - Positioning when faced by numerical superiority

Two attackers, one on each side of the pitch. The attacker with a ball can shoot at the near post or pass
to the teammate at the far post.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Positioning in a
match situation.

A time limit can

be imposed on
finishing.

The goalkeeper's
positioning should
guarantee cover of
the post nearest to
him and he should
try to defend the
passing channel to
the other attacker
by stretching out
a leg
The goalkeeper
should try to close
down the passing
channel to the
attacker as much
as possible

Futsal Goalkeeper Manual

Movements
The goal keeper has to move to reach the ball as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Activity #1 - Touching the post
An attacker has a supply of balls at the penalty mark. The goalkeeper moves to touch a post; the attacker
then immediately kicks the ball towards the opposite post. The exercise continues in this way.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Working on
lateral
movements.

The goalkeeper
can also be
brought forward
and then lobbed
over to work on
backwards
movement.

The most
important point is
that the body
weight should be
on the toes so that
the goalkeeper
can move quickly.
The goalkeeper
should not move
backwards when
the player shoots.

Activity #2 - Lateral passes

Two attackers stand in a line parallel to the goal, inside the area. The players pass the ball to each other.
This continues until a player decides to shoot at goal. The goal keeper has to move while taking into
account the trajectory of the ball and remain alert to when a player decides to shoot.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Movement of
the goalkeeper
in a match
situation.

Impose a
maximum
number of
passes.

In addition to the
coaching point
above, the
goalkeeper takes a
small step
forwards in order
to reduce the
attackers shooting
angle.

Futsal Goalkeeper Manual

Catching
This is the action of the goalkeeper receiving the ball with their hands.
Activity #1 - Goalkeeper facing backwards
An attacker is positioned on the edge of the box with a supply of balls. The goalkeeper has his back to the
attacker.
When the attacker shouts "Now the goalkeeper turns around and the attacker kicks a ball at goal.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Practicing
catching the ball.

The ball can be

thrown

Keep fingers tense

and in a curved
position, never
straight.

The exercise
can be conducted
with two
attackers, one
on each side

Activity #2 - Shots from the wings

An attacker stands on each wing with a supply of balls. A third attacker waits in the center for any
rebounds. The attackers take it in turn to shoot from the wings. If there are any rebounds, the third
attacker shoots at goal.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Working on
catching the ball
in a match
situation.

A defender can
be used to screen
the shots and
hamper the
goalkeeper's
vision.

The goalkeeper
should also try to
get his body
behind the ball in
case its spills
through his hands.

Futsal Goalkeeper Manual

Deflections
This is when the goalkeeper intentionally pushes the ball away after a shot.
Activity #1 - Deflecting from different angles
Three attackers at different angles take it in turns to shoot at goal; the goalkeeper has to deflect the ball.
A fourth attacker roams the penalty area and tries to put any rebounds in the net.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Working on
deflecting from
different angles

The attackers
change the
sequence of
shooting to make
the exercise less
predictable.

Place the hands

straight and tensed
Do not be passive,
push the ball
Always deflect the
ball towards the
wings, never
towards the center

Activity #2 - Match situation

Two attackers compete against one defender and try to reach the goal to finish the move. A third attacker
waits in the penalty area and tries to score from any rebounds.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Practicing
deflecting in a
match situation.

Impose a time
limit on finishing
the move

All of those
previously
mentioned

Only allow shots

from outside the
area

Futsal Goalkeeper Manual

Tactical Maneuvers
Coming out
This is the ability of the Goalkeeper to step off their line to narrow angles, force an attacker into a mistake
and ultimately start an attack quickly.
Activity #1 one attackers v the Goalkeeper
Several attackers, each with a ball. The attackers take it in turn to take the ball towards goal with only the
keeper defending.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Keeper comes
out against an
attacker

the attackers
have to try and
dribble around the
goalkeeper

Be patient

the attackers
have to shoot on
goal without
dribbling past the
keeper

make a dummy
move to force the
attacker into making
a hasty decision

look the opponent

in the eyes

the attacker can

choose how they
attack the goal

Activity #2 coming out against a counterattack

An attacker (red) shoots at goal. The Goalkeeper then quickly plays the ball out to one of the two yellow
team players who counter attack. The opposing goalkeeper comes out to defend against the counter
attack, either trying to intercept the ball or hold up play for the red team player to drop back.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Coming out
against a
counterattack

Impose a time
limit for finishing
the counter
attack

The goalkeeper
takes up an
advanced position
Be in an alert,
tensed position
and not upright
and relaxed.

Futsal Goalkeeper Manual

Defending free kicks

This is the most effective positioning by the goalkeeper to counter the danger from a free kick taken by
the opponents.
Activity #1 - Wide free kick
Two attacking players take up positions outside the box and one goes to the far post to be marked by the
goalkeeper. As the attacking players change their positions, the goalkeeper must defend against a pass
to the attacker at the far post and try to block any shots from outside the area.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Defending
against a pass
into the area and
a shot from
outside the area.

The nearest
defender moves
back to mark the
attacker on the
far post while the
goalkeeper
comes out to
narrow the angle
of shots from
outside the area.

The goalkeeper
should be
continuously
issuing orders to
his team-mates
The goalkeeper
should always
defend the post
furthest from the
ball and the wall
the closest post
The goalkeeper
should not close
his eyes or move
backwards during
shots

Activity #2 Central free kick

The goalkeeper forms part of the defensive wall, guarding against a direct shot by the player taking the
free kick as well as a shot from the attacking team player adjacent to the free kick taker. The other
attackers are marked by the defenders on the posts. The goalkeeper mustn't go to ground, but rather
attack the shot.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Defending
shots from the
center.

The attacker
adjacent to the
ball blocks a
defender on a
post and the
attacker who was
next to the post
comes out in
order to shoot

The goalkeeper
protects the posts
with defenders and
takes up a position
in the wall to
protect the center
of the goal

The goalkeeper
must make full
use of peripheral
vision in this case

The goalkeeper
should attack the
shot in order to
reduce the angle of
the shot
The goalkeeper
should come out
very quickly

Futsal Goalkeeper Manual

Defending corner kicks

The goalkeeper must take up the most effective position to counter the danger from a corner taken by the
opponents.
Activity #1 - Defending shots from inside the penalty area
Two attackers, one at each corner, take it in turns to take a corner kick. They can pass to a third attacker
inside the area or play the ball directly at goal. The goalkeeper has to be ready to cover both options.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Practicing
defense against
shots from inside
the penalty area.

It only becomes
apparent who will
take the corner at
the last moment

The goalkeeper's
position at or close
to the post
depends on the
position of the
defenders

The goalkeeper
starts the
exercise lying on
the ground and
quickly gets up
when the coach
instructs a player
to take the corner

The goalkeeper
should be a little
crouched in order
to be able to react
quickly

Activity #2 - Defending shots from inside and outside the penalty area
An attacker is positioned at each corner with a ball. Two attackers take up positions inside the area are
confronted by two defenders. Another attacker is outside the penalty area to provide long-range shots.
The player taking the corner decides who to play the ball to, resulting in a shot from inside or outside the
penalty area.
Objective:

Variations:

Coaching
points:

Defending
shots inside
and/or outside
the penalty area.

A follow-up move
is allowed if the
ball rebounds

The same as
above.

Give more value

to a goal from
inside or outside
the
area, depending
on what the
exercise is
focusing on

Also the
goalkeeper asked
for a strong
clearance from his
defenders of any
balls he cannot
catch.

Futsal Goalkeeper Manual

Goal Keepers Physical Preparation

Most of the goalkeeper's physical preparation is the same as that for other team members although there
are specific exercises that address the special features of a goalkeeper's training.
Training for power
Lying face down, the goalkeeper jumps up to catch the ball
Lying down supported by hands, the goalkeeper jumps up to collect a passing ball
The goalkeeper rests on knees and toes, then jumps up to catch a high ball
Jumps from a crouching position to catch increasingly high balls
Training for agility
Two players are positioned on either side of the goal. A player shoots low towards a post. When
the goalkeeper is on the ground to counter this shot, the other player launches a high ball towards
the other post. The exercise continues in this way
The goalkeeper lies on the ground with his feet against a post, looking towards the wing. The ball
is fired in towards the other post. The exercise continues alternating posts
Training for reaction speed
A defender In front of the goalkeeper moves constantly while an attacker launches the ball in
A series of rapid shots: 8 players take up positions around the area. They take it in turns to
launch the ball in, giving the goalkeeper hardly any time to react
A mat is placed in front of the goalkeeper. A forward throws tennis balls that change direction as
they hit the mat

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