The ABC ’ s of Coaching The Goalkeeper

1. The ABC’s of Coaching The Goalkeeper

2. The ABC’s of Coaching the Goalkeeper • The Myth • Least Coached, Most Misunderstood • Common Sense and Simple Principles of Play

3. What are the characteristics of a good goalkeeper? • Hand/Eye Coordination • Depth Perception

4. Why is it important to understand the needed skills? • Under 8 years old don’t possess the skill • Too Stressful • Develop fear of the ball The reason WHY AYSO does not have goalkeepers before U-10

5. What are the challenges with goalkeeper training during your session? What do you do to include goalkeeper training during your session?

6. What will be covered today? • The Characteristics of a Goalkeeper • Basic Body Position of the Goalkeeper • Positional Play (Angles) • Methods of Collection • Methods of Distribution • Organizing the Defense

7. What Makes a good goalkeeper? • Hand/eye coordination • Strength • Agility • Vision • Quickness • Confidence • Judgment • Decisive • Courage (not crazy) • Ability to take charge and direct • Concentration

8. Certain skills and knowledge are critical to developing the Goalkeeper • Body Position (Proper Stance) • Positional Play • Methods of Collection • Methods of Distribution

9. Basic Body Position of the Goalkeeper Areas to focus on: • Relaxed body • Waist bent • Feet positioning • Knees • Arms and Hands

10. Positional Play • Keepers must understand positional play • Understanding positional play = easier goalkeeping  • What can a goalkeeper do to make a player tame a bad shot?

11. What are the key points for the goalkeeper as it relates to positioning? Positional Play • 2 goal posts • The ball

13. Goal #1 Goal #2

14. Methods of Collection Keep as much of their body square to the ball as possible at all times. Hand Positions: • Hands in a comfortable position • Half way up or down • Use the same starting position all the time Note: With young players often the ball is too large for their hands. If they try to catch the ball, it will slip through their hands and into the goal. Teach the “W” for high balls and the “M” for balls below the waist.

15. Methods of Collection Ground Balls • Bend at the waist • Go to one knee • Keep eyes on the ball • Hands form the “M” • Ball runs over the hand and up the arms • Gather the ball to the chest • Stand up straight • Put the ball away

16. Methods of Collection High Balls • Extend the arms and use the • hands to take speed of ball • Use the “W” hand extended • As the ball hits, bend elbows to cushion the force of the shot • Put the ball away

17. Methods of Collection Waist high balls • Catch with the body • Body collapses/ Takes force • Arms to make a pocket • Try not to catch it with their hands • Put the ball away

18. Goalkeeper Distribution Technical Coaching Points Hands and Feet

19. Goalkeeper Distribution Bowling • Accurate short   • Cradled with hand and forearm • Step towards & bring arm back • Swing arm low to the ground • Quick & Smooth • Follow through

20. Goalkeeper Distribution Baseball Throw • Intermediate style   • Palm of the throwing hand • Keeper steps toward target • Body gets low to the ground • Ball is thrown hard and low • Follow through • Ball may skip

21. Goalkeeper Distribution Sling Throw • Medium/Long range • Side Position • Point towards target • Cradle Ball • Keep arm straight • Release point • Backspin • Follow through

22. Goalkeeper Distribution Half Volley • Long, quick, and manageable distribution • Timing is the key • The ball must be struck just as it hits the ground • Too early? • Too late ?  • Release of the ball • Plant foot • Kicking foot/leg swings straight back • Upper body • The kicking leg swings forward with the toe pointed down • The contact surface on the foot is the middle to upper foot on the laces

23. Goalkeeper Distribution Punting • Can release ball with either or both hands • Head down, eyes focused on • the ball • Backswing with kicking leg • Plant foot aimed at target • Plant leg slightly bent • Contact point is the laces of the shoe • Ankle locked • Follow through

24. Organizing the Defense & Goalkeeper Communication • Communicating is key • Try to reduce goalkeeper action • Evaluate on shots on goal, not saves

25. Teach Your Keepers To: Play The Position NOT Perform The Position

26. Organizing the Defense • Keepers that can READ the game… • Last line of defense • Best vision of the game • Develop attack

27. How Should the Keeper Communicate? Voice should be: • Loud • Calm • Clear • Concise

28. Goalkeeper Communication The goalkeeper must develop a glossary of terms that the team can agree on and understand the exact meaning of each term.

29. Goalkeeper Communication “Keeper” “Away” “Contain” “Tackle” “Push up/out” “Push left/right” “Don’t dive in” “Pressure ball” “Cover” “Balance” “Step up” “Drop” “Track your runner” “Stand him/her up”

30. Goalkeeper Communication • Communication must be precise - Not confusing • In order to eliminate confusion, it is imperative to put a name to a specific job. “Jack, get goal side of #10”(good example) “Mark up!”(poor example)

31. Diagram #1: What should be said?

32. Diagram #2: What should be said?

33. Goalkeeper Communication Keepers should: • Avoid “cheerleading“ – it’s not productive • Avoid yelling at teammates • Give support to their defenders • Critique sparingly Note: How would the keeper feel after giving up a “soft” goal?

34. In this session we have covered: Characteristics of a Goalkeeper • Basic Body Position of the Goalkeeper • Positional Play (Angles) • Methods of Collection • Methods of Distribution • Organizing the Defense

35. Remember: Keepers need different training than field players Take the time to work with them You may have to set up a separate session Give them your attention coach; your team will reap the benefits.

36. From the psychological and physical standpoints, the keeper occupies what may be the most difficult and important of all team positions. Topflight goalkeepers combine a proper approach to the game with outstanding physical ability. But, remember you are working with new goalkeepers. Take your time and be patient, they will make mistakes but they will learn from their mistakes. It is up to you coach: Teach Them To Be Keepers – NOT Goalies!!

37. Questions?