Goalkeeper Rebounds: Control the Second Ball

The first save is not always the end of the danger. A good goalkeeper thinks about the second ball before the first shot even arrives: can I catch it, can I push it somewhere safe, and where do I need to recover next?

Simple target: if you cannot hold the ball, send it away from the middle of the goal and away from the nearest attacker. A safe parry is a successful save.

First decide: catch or parry?

Catch the ball whenever it is clear, reachable and secure. Holding it ends the attack and gives the whole team time to reset. If the shot is too fast, awkward or crowded, a parry is often the right choice—but it should be a deliberate one, not simply a hand getting in the way.

Try to catch when

You can get both hands to the ball.
You have a clear view and space around you.
The ball can be brought safely into the body.

Parry when

The shot is fast or moving away from you.
An attacker makes a catch risky.
You need one hand to keep it out of goal.

Where should the parry go?

Try not to push the ball straight back toward the penalty spot. The centre of goal is where the next shot is most dangerous. If possible, guide the ball wide of the post, out toward a side area, or over the bar. The exact direction depends on the shot, but “away from the middle” is a useful first thought.

What to do after every save

Locate the ball. Keep watching it after the first contact. Do not assume the save has finished the attack.
Recover your feet. Get back into a balanced position as quickly as you safely can.
Protect the most dangerous space. Cover the central goal area first, then react to the new ball position.
Use one clear call. “Away”, “clear” or “mine” helps defenders understand the next job.

Parent-friendly cue: “Save, see, set.” The goalkeeper makes the save, sees where the ball has gone, then sets again for the next action.

A six-minute rebound practice

Minutes 1–2: a partner gives gentle catchable shots. Secure each ball, then reset the feet before the next one.
Minutes 3–4: use firmer low shots that the goalkeeper pushes wide with one hand. Pause to check where the ball went.
Minutes 5–6: after each first save, the partner serves a second gentle ball to another area. The goalkeeper must recover before making the second save.

Begin without attackers. The goal is to build good habits: safe hands, a sensible parry direction and quick recovery. Only add more pressure when the goalkeeper can make those choices calmly.

Progress looks quieter, not wilder

Better rebound control often means fewer dramatic second saves. The goalkeeper either holds the first ball or sends it somewhere less dangerous, then gets ready again. Praise the direction of the parry and the recovery steps, not only the final save.

Choose the safest parry direction

Imagine the goal divided into three areas: left side, centre and right side. The centre is where waiting attackers usually have the easiest next touch. Whenever the hands can influence the ball, guide it beyond a post, toward a quiet side area or over the bar. The first aim is not distance; it is to move the danger away from the centre.

Parry-direction game

Put one cone outside each post and a third cone at the top of the six-yard area.
A server rolls or strikes controlled balls toward the goalkeeper.
For a catchable ball, the goalkeeper holds it.
For an awkward ball, the goalkeeper calls “wide” and directs it toward a side cone.
After each save, the goalkeeper takes two recovery steps and points to the ball.

For parents and beginner coaches

Coach the next action, not the drama

Use gentle, accurate service and begin without attackers. Praise the goalkeeper for seeing the rebound and recovering their feet. If the ball goes through the middle, pause and ask where it could have gone instead. One calm correction is more useful than asking for a harder dive.

Common mistakes to avoid

Flat hands straight back: angle the hands so the ball moves away from the central danger area.

Watching the save: locate the ball immediately and recover the feet.

Going too early: stay balanced until the shot gives a clear cue.

Is a parry a mistake?

No. A parry is a good save when a catch is not secure. It becomes a problem only when it sends the ball into a dangerous central area.

Use a short reset after every rebound

When the ball is no longer in the gloves, the goalkeeper should follow the same small routine: eyes on the ball, feet under the body, then protect the middle of the goal. This takes only a second, but it prevents the player from staying on the ground and reacting late to the second shot.

At the end of practice, review two moments. Ask where the first ball went and where the goalkeeper recovered to. If both answers are clear, the training has worked. Keep the next session focused on that same habit before adding faster shots or extra players.

The quieter the second ball, the better. A goalkeeper who puts the rebound in a safe place gives teammates time to help. That is a quality save even when nobody cheers.