Most coaches seem to struggle with the Goalkeeper and how to ensure they are being coached to the same level of the outfield players.

There are many goalkeeper coaches out there and the question I continually ask myself is where are the good goalkeepers. A young goalkeeper in NZ can access a goalkeeper coach outside of their team. Whether it be a club, FTC, private provider or individual goalkeeper coach there is often a huge range of choice.

With all the work that is going into young goalkeepers why are so few able to jump from youth into senior football. We see so many that are decent at a young age but due to physical maturity or some other factor never make the leap. Often goalkeepers are let down by their inability to: make good decisions in regards to crosses, positioning, bravery, communication, understanding of defensive tactics and individual defensive body positioning that are necessary to be competent. If a keeper doesn’t understand what a good defensive set up of outfield players looks like how will they ensure the players are in that shape.

In my opinion a goalkeeper should be aiming to: keep a clean sheet without having to leave their feet once and have all shots, crosses and attacks nullified by well positioned defenders in every game.

We produce excellent shot stoppers who can pull off remarkable saves due to the nature of the way goalkeepers are trained. Everything is about repetitive practice in which the goalkeeper is aware of exactly which way the ball is being delivered and they work on their technique. This is how we used to coach our outfield players with cones and directional movements etc. We have moved so far beyond that as outfield coaches why haven’t we as goalkeeper coaches.

A goalkeeper has to pick up so many subtle signals in an instant to make an unconscious decision as to what to do. Their mind is clear, yet focussed and they need to allow their body and movement to react from what they see and feel.

Think of it like this: remember the arcade game in which you had to hit the head of the rabbit that popped out of one of 4 holes with a mallet. The aim was to see how many you could hit in the time you had paid for. Most people concentrated and tried to work out which hole was next and generally would have a success rate around 60%. Really successful people at this game just relaxed and allowed their mind to take over without any interference and let their body react.

This principle is explained in much better and clearer detail in the ground breaking book written by Timothy Galway “the inner game of golf” click here to read more. It clearly outlines how you can separate the actions you do from the conscious mind. In my opinion one of the best sports books ever written.

This session will work on helping your goalkeepers become more competent at saving shots that are going into the bottom corner of the goal. The technique in moving laterally, diving and catching/parry they should have already acquired but if not let them work it out for themselves over a period of time. If you don’t know what you are talking about in regards to goalkeeper techniques use a very open questioning approach.

This session integrates your players and you can coach them as you would normally in regards to finishing. It will provides your goalkeeper with focussed practice as they know where the shots are likely to go. This allows them to adjust and improve off the natural ebb and flow of players with real triggers.

GK Session

AIM: To work on making saves in the bottom corner of the goal.

PLAYERS: 2 goalkeepers plus 6 outfield players

AREA:  30m x 30m coned area with a goal at each end.

SET-UP: the 6 outfield players are playing 3v3 with normal rules (no offsides) with a full size goal on each end line (a full size goal can be used or if not available use cones or flags). Place a small pop up goal in the bottom corners of the goal. If you don’t have small popup goals use cones but insist all goals are scored on the ground.

TIMINGS:

Play 6 games of 4 minutes duration with a 2 minute break between. These are hard games on the outfield players plus will really work the keepers. We want the keepers to work at a maximum level so rest is vital.

1. Game 1: goals can only be scored in the two popup goals — Predictable
2. Game 2: goals can be scored anywhere in the big goal — Normal
3. Game 3: goals can only be scored in the two popup goals — Predictable
4. Game 4: goals are worth one if scored in the big goal and worth 5 if scored in the small goals — Not predictable but more likely to occur
5. Game 5: Goals can only be scored in the popup goals off a cross — Predictable but needs to cover both goals as per any cross.
6. Game 6: Open game with no restrictions — Testing of session

COACHING POINTS:

• Movement of the goalkeeper in relation to the ball as its being passed around
• Body positioning and set up as the ball is being shot
• Movement of foot to the side the shot is going
• Angle of the approach into the ball
• Communication to defenders to make the shot predictable
• Enthusiasm and willingness to stop goals

Summary:

This session will engage the goalkeepers and ensure they are learning and working but the main benefit is you can easily incorporate it into your normal outfield session. Ensure you inform the outfield players that you are doing it for the keepers and they need to attempt to hit the right areas.

If you apply a constraints lead approach to the development of your goalkeepers you will be rewarded with keepers that become much more competent in the other aspects of the game.

Questioning:

Goalkeepers questionings should mainly be focussed on how it feels. e.g

• “When you set up to save the shot what did it feel like?”
• “Did you feel like you were falling back?”
• “Did you feel you were in the right position to save that ball”

They will often provide you with the answer in regards the error by the answer. Often you will get answers like “I feel like every time they shoot I am falling backwards”. This could be followed by you asking them “so what do you need to do to ensure you aren’t falling backwards as they shoot?” — have another go and try and work out what feels right.

I want us to produce Goalkeepers that are as good as anywhere in the world and unless we have the best goalkeeping coaches in the world we need to let the keepers sort it out themselves based on what feels right for them to “JUST STOP CONCEDING SOFT AND ERROR RIDDEN GOALS”