Low Diving Save
The low diving save is the most commonly scored-against situation in grassroots football.
◆Why this drill works
The low diving save is the most commonly scored-against situation in grassroots football. Most young GKs get down too slowly or fall rather than drive. This drill builds the technically correct movement: push off the standing foot, lead with the bottom hand flat, top hand over the ball. The progression from slow, predictable underhand serves to normal-speed serves at either side matters because the technique has to survive the shift from a rehearsed movement to a genuine reaction — many keepers can execute the dive perfectly when they know it's coming but revert to falling or reaching when the serve is disguised. Starting each rep from a standing position in the final stage adds the preparation phase that a match situation always demands: no keeper gets to start already in their set position, so learning to get there quickly before diving is as important as the dive itself. Counting correct hand positions across 20 reps gives both coach and keeper an honest, measurable target rather than a vague sense of how the session went.
◇Variations and progressions
- Volley serves — switch from underhand to a dropped volley serve for a faster, more realistic ball.
- Rebound follow-up — have a striker follow in for any parried rebound so the keeper learns to recover instantly after diving.
- Reduced reaction time — shorten the distance between server and keeper as competence grows.
- Competitive tally — track each keeper's correct-technique count across sessions to show visible progress over time.
▦The drill in three phases
▶How to run it
- GK in set position. Coach serves underhand to bottom corners — wide right, wide left. First 10 reps: slow speed.
- GK drives down with correct technique. Bottom hand flat on ground, top hand over ball.
- Progress: coach serves at normal speed to either side. GK reacts.
- Final 5 reps: GK starts standing upright. Must get into set position then dive — adds preparation phase.
- Count: how many of 20 saves land in correct hand position?
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Commanding the area and communicating with defenders
- Narrowing the angle before the shot
- Set position with weight balanced and ready to move
- Leading with the bottom hand flat to the ground on every dive
Correct when you see
- Standing tall and reaching late — get into the set position early
- Spilling the ball forward — catch it or parry it wide
- Slow distribution letting the opposition recover
- Falling sideways rather than driving down and across toward the ball
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Goalkeeper Gloves (youth) | Grip and protection for keepers. | Check price → |
| Value | Training Footballs (6-pack) | Shot-stopping reps. | Check price → |
| Upgrade | Agility Ladder | Footwork and reactions. | Check price → |
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