Activity
Cone Deflection
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Football
Technique: Goal Keeping
Class: Class 4
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Football
Technique: Goal Keeping
Class: Class 5
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Football
Technique: Goal Keeping
Class: Class 6
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Football
Technique: Goal Keeping
Class: Class 7
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Football
Technique: Goal Keeping
Class: Class 8
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Football
Technique: Goal Keeping
Class: Class 9
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Football
Technique: Goal Keeping
Class: Class 10
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Football
Technique: Goal Keeping
Class: Class 11
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Football
Technique: Goal Keeping
Class: Class 12
Skill: Specialised Sports Coaching
Sports: Football
Technique: Goal Keeping
Cone Deflection
Learning Outcomes
Improve quick reaction time and reflexes
Develop hand positioning and safe deflection technique
Enhance footwork and lateral movement
Build coordination and tracking of moving balls
Practise angling deflections away from the goal
Description Of Activity
Set up 3–4 cones in front of the goalkeeper in a small semicircle.
The feeder (teacher or student) rolls or passes the ball toward the cones.
When the ball hits a cone, it changes direction, forcing the goalkeeper to react quickly.
The goalkeeper moves their feet, gets behind the ball, and deflects it safely away from the goal using their palms.
Repeat with balls coming at different speeds and angles.
Variations
Two-Feeder Drill: Balls come from left and right randomly.
Bounce Pass: Feeder bounces the ball before it reaches the cones.
Low & High Deflections: Mix ground passes and soft lob passes.
Cone Shuffle: GK shuffles between cones before each pass.
Timed Round: How many successful deflections in 30–45 seconds?
Coaching Tips
- Keeper to be on toes all the time
- Anticipation & awareness
- Agility & flexibility
- Stance - bend the knees to lower the body, head, and shoulders up straight. The legs are now loaded like springs for quicker reaction to low or high shots
- Decision-making regarding the positioning of the hands/arms. Elbows tucked in with hands up or hand low.
Equipment/Material Required
Footballs
Cones (3–6 per station)
Goal or marked goal area