For children aged 13 to 17
Understand the match.
Not just react to it.
Situational method · ages 13–17
At this age the technique is already there. What makes the difference is reading the game. We train goalkeepers to anticipate situations before they happen — rather than endure them.
The traditional approach versus ours
The problem
Focus on the technical side alone
Goalkeepers master the technique but do not know when to use it
Isolated drills with no match context
Goalkeepers do not understand real situations
Difficulty carrying learning into the game
Even technically strong goalkeepers can be lost in complex situations
Our solution
An overall understanding of football
With clear rules and a framework for every situation
Better information gathering
Learning to read the game and anticipate situations
Intelligent positioning
Adapting to real match situations with confidence
Our situational approach:
Putting the goalkeeper into situations close to a real match, so they build the ability to make the right decisions and apply the right technique at the right moment.
Objectives of the Situational Method
Giving the goalkeeper a framework and a foundation for every pattern of play they will meet.
Structure of play
Establishing precise reference points on the pitch and developing optimal positioning for every situation.
Reading the game
Developing the ability to analyse situations and gather the crucial information about opponents.
Decision-making
Selecting and applying the right technique at the right moment, based on the reading of the situation.
Continuous progression
Building skills gradually over the years, towards a complete and confident goalkeeper.
“The aim is to give the goalkeeper information that helps him improve during the match, and the confidence to use what he learns.”
The pillars of the Situational Method
Building a complete goalkeeper by working every essential aspect of the game
Shot stopping
Optimal positioning according to where the shot comes from, and reading the cues before it is struck.
- Positioning adjusted to distance and angle
- Reading the striker's profile
- Coordinating with the defenders
One against one
Handling direct duels with the striker: position and timing of the intervention.
- Reading the striker's run and rhythm
- Coming out at the right moment
- Positioning to close the angles
Balls in behind
Connecting the goalkeeper to the team: anticipating and covering the space.
- Advanced positioning outside the box
- Reading the flight and speed of the ball
- Working in unison with the defensive line
Distribution
Building play and technical precision in distributing the ball.
- Vision and information gathering
- Building from the back
- Technical command of play with the feet
Crosses
Commanding the box on aerial balls and anticipating trajectories.
- Gathering information on the attackers in the box
- Commanding your zone
- Right timing and technique when coming out
Set pieces
Defensive organisation and information gathering at set pieces.
- Directing the defence: placing the players, organising the wall and giving clear instructions
- Reading the situation: inswinger or outswinger, the taker, likely trajectories and key cues
- Communicating with confidence: coming out of your shell and guiding the team precisely
“70 % of the balls a goalkeeper touches during a match are played with the feet”
An essential fact our method takes into account
Structure of a typical session
Pre-warm-up
A phase of independence where the children warm up on their own, guided at the start of the season and gradually self-managed.
Drill 1
A basic technical drill: handling, movement and positioning.
Situation 1
A first application with simple strikes, using the basic technical principles.
Drill 2
Specific work on diving and reinforcement of the basic techniques.
Situation 2
A more complex situation, built around the main theme with variations (an extra constraint, for instance).
Drill 3
An advanced technical drill with increasing difficulty.
Situation 3
A game situation with competition, real opposition and full application.
Play with the feet
Work on the weaker foot in the first half of the season, then half-volley work in the second.
Key points of the method
Alternating technical drills and game situations
Difficulty rising across the session
Immersion in match situations
Alternating roles (goalkeeper and striker)
“The child must leave every session with information that will improve him during the match and give him the confidence to use what he learns.”
Analysis and assessment tools
Advanced technology in the service of goalkeeper development
Video analysis
Every session is filmed to build a library and analyse the situations.
- Identifying strengths and weaknesses
- Targeted technical correction
Tablets
Presenting complex situations to improve information gathering and reading of the game.
- Simulating tactical scenarios
- Advanced cognitive development
Movement analysis
In-depth study of movement in jumps and dives to optimise technique.
- Optimised biomechanics
- Injury prevention
Self-assessment
Detailed evaluation of the techniques the child needs to absorb, for individual follow-up.
- Giving the goalkeeper ownership
- Spotting specific needs
Training built around the individual
Analysis and assessment let us adapt the sessions to each goalkeeper's specific needs:
Identifying technical gaps to correct
Reinforcing the strengths worth developing
Adapting the drills within the group
“If the child has technical gaps, we invite him to targeted refinement work so he can move forward quickly.”
Group planning and progression
A coherent structure to support the goalkeepers' development
U14-U15 session
“Discovery” programme
Every Wednesday, 18:00 to 19:30
- 30 sessions a year, built for U14-U15
- 90-minute sessions + 15 minutes of pre-warm-up and 5 to 10 minutes of distribution play
- Groups limited to 8 children
- A programme covering match situations
- Regular assessment of progress
- Learning through action and understanding
U16-U17 session
“Consolidation” programme
Every Wednesday, 19:30 to 21:00
- 30 sessions a year, built for U16-U17
- 90-minute sessions + 15 minutes of pre-warm-up and 5 to 10 minutes of distribution play
- Groups limited to 8 children
- A programme covering match situations
- Regular assessment of progress
- Learning through action and understanding
Results
Tangible successes that show our approach works
Journeys that worked
Our goalkeepers from the 2009 and 2010 age groups already train with the first team in the second amateur division, which shows how effective our development work is.
The situational method lets goalkeepers at an amateur club reach the first team without going through an “elite” academy, where they risk losing their motivation.
“The situational method is one of the pillars of goalkeeper development and is essential to building complete goalkeepers.”
Benefits observed
- Complete development of the goalkeeper
- Reading of the game and advanced tactical understanding
- Greater confidence in real match situations
- Fast progression towards senior level
- The ability to make the right decisions under pressure
- Independence and ownership for the player
An approach unlike other academies
Our situational method offers what traditional programmes so often lack: a genuine understanding of the game that lets the goalkeeper anticipate rather than simply react.
Reading the game
Developing a deep understanding of football, beyond goalkeeping technique alone.
Anticipation
The ability to predict situations rather than simply react, through better information gathering.
Confidence
Greater confidence in match situations through regular exposure to realistic scenarios.
Cohesion
Better integration of the goalkeeper into the team, developing their ability to communicate and adapt.
Our training options
“Discovery” option
€25
per session
- First session
- Access to training videos
- Self-assessment
- Situation briefing
- Situation debrief
“Season” option
€25
per session
Annual commitment required
- 30 sessions a year
- Access to the training situation videos
- Self-assessment
- Situation briefing
- Situation debrief
“Season” option
€17
per session
Annual commitment required
- 30 sessions a year
- Access to the training situation videos
- Self-assessment
- Situation briefing
- Situation debrief
An exclusive benefit for goalkeepers from Aureak partner and affiliated clubs.
Frequently asked questions
From what age can my child take part?
The situational method suits goalkeepers from U14-U15, though we recommend starting at U14 for a better grasp of it. The drills are adapted to the goalkeeper's age and level.
How does the method fit alongside club training?
Our method complements club training. We work closely with club coaches to keep the goalkeeper's development coherent. What they learn in our sessions applies directly to their club training and matches.
Is a trial session possible before committing?
Absolutely. We offer a discovery session so your goalkeeper can experience our method and our approach. It is also the moment to meet the coaches and ask any question before committing.
How long before we see concrete results?
Every goalkeeper progresses at their own pace, but the method is built for continuous, lasting progression. In every session your child discovers new situations and new rules of play, which moves them forward immediately.
How is the goalkeeper's progress followed?
At the end of every session the coach holds a debrief with the goalkeepers to support their own self-assessment.
What parents say
The method helped me understand why I make the movements, not just how to make them. Now I feel more confident in matches.
Noah, young goalkeeper
Since my son started training with this method, he talks constantly about what he is learning. The metaphors genuinely help him remember the right movements. It is the first time I have seen him this invested in playing in goal.
Parent of Lucas, U11
The children's progress is remarkable. Breaking things into sequences lets them understand how a technical movement is built. I see a real difference in their confidence on the pitch and in their ability to apply what they have learnt.
Mathieu, coach
Join the Situational journey
Give your child a learning experience unlike any other, one that supports their development on the pitch and beyond
Registration for the 2025-2026 season is open!
Tuesday session
17:30 to 19:30
Tuesday session
19:15 to 21:15
Groups of
8 to 9 children maximum
1 coach per group
Limited places — Registration open
Explore the other programmes
For ages 9 to 13 there are the technical sessions. From 19 onwards, the decision-making programme.