How to Improve a Goalie's Reaction Time in Soccer

The goalie's reaction time is one of the most important defense mechanisms for a soccer team. The faster and more accurate the goalie's reaction, the less likely the ball is to enter the net. Most players require a good deal of practice and training to improve their skills to react fast enough to stop a ball from entering the goal. Read on to learn how to improve a goalie's reaction time in soccer.

Instructions

1. Improve reflexes, which directly reflects the speed of reaction of the goalie. Not all players will have natural abilities, nor will all players attain good reflexes. The best way to improve reflexes is to get more experience, so practice makes perfect here. The goalie should concentrate on watching the way the attacker moves, specifically when the attacker drops his gaze as well as how he plants his supporting foot on the ground.

2. Use visual drills to improve the goalie's reaction. One visual drill will include setting two balls about 6 feet apart on a soccer field, with the goal in front of the balls. The kicker will fake as to which ball he will kick. The goalie must react to save the ball only after the attacker has hit the ball.

3. Attempt auditory drills to improve the goalie's reaction time. With the goalie's back to his partner, at a distance of 15 feet from each other, the ball is thrown by the partner while calling out the direction for the goalie to turn. The goalie must turn according to the direction of the partner, and react to the ball being tossed.

4. Develop dynamic skills to improve reaction time. The goalie tosses a ball into the air and must quickly fall to the ground, lie on his stomach, do a push-up and get up in time to catch the ball before the ball is able to hit the ground. Doing this activity forces the goalie to improve his speed and agility, which will help improve his reaction time.