Training from home: reaction balls

Another quick tip is another "train from home" idea. As a goalkeeper you need to have great reactions to be able to make the save. The faster the shot coming at you, the less time you have to react, so the quicker you have to react. Both in moving across to save and in decision making! In game terms, redirections (ball changing direction) and unsighted shots where you have to react at the last second to stand a chance of making the save, like at free kick situations or corners, where the ball could hit the wall and move unexpectedly to a different angle. So it's worth practising to be able to make those last ditch saves.

And another work-from-home training method is: a reaction ball. Popular in other sports like cricket, the oddly shaped ball helps you work on your reactions as it gets your hand-eye co-ordination going.

A basic drill to do at home is to find a wall (possibly in doors, but don't wake the neighbours!) and bounce the reaction ball to one side of you. It'll rebound and then you can catch it with the matching hand. Because of it's shape it shouldn't be an obvious catch, forcing you to react more when catching than otherwise. This should help to work on your reactions.

To make it more difficult, you can close your eyes when you throw the ball/in between the process, so that you have to react unsighted, further pushing yourself to react instinctively.

Training from home: rebounders

When it comes to training and self improvement, you can make great leaps by taking time out to work on your game when you otherwise don't have the chance for people to shoot on you. This is an aspect that seems to be almost totally lost in certain areas of England and can really help boost your development curve. Training outside scheduled training (i.e. the sessions you need to go to with your squad!), will help you 'up' your game and develop much more quickly, especially if there is a leap in ability of leagues you are planning on, or you want to work towards a trial for instance.

Whilst we're often considered loners and such, there's nothing wrong with working on your game when you're bored and need some fresh air. Athletes do it, Olympians do it; Beckham would stay hours after training sessions with his team to work on his free kicks. So why not a goalie working on improving?!

In days of old, famous goalkeepers would bounce a ball off a wall to work on catching and things like that. But with modernity, urbanisation and cranky neighbours, this can be a bit tricky!

So I'll be posting up a few ideas to give you some thoughts going into off season (in the UK anyway!).

First up is the rebounder!

They can be a little pricey (£40 plus), so best to look out for bargains on Ebay, but for a long term investment really are worth it. Crazy Catch are specialist makers but there also good enough manufacturers around.

Basically a net that has been tightened enough to create a strong rebound effect, they offer the chance for you to work independently (by yourself) on your catching and overall handling. Throwing a ball against the net, you can work on your 'W' shape and catching grip, which will reinforce the muscle memory as you practise.

The following clip should give you a good idea of what to do!