Coaches Corner                                            

                                         "Young Players Need Role Models, Not Critics"
                                                  THE QUALITIES OF THE COACH. 

Positiveness: All good coaches should seek to create a positive learning environment where players are driven by a can do mentality rather than a fear of failure.

Enthusiasm: Since enjoyment is the first aim of every training session the coach must commit himself fully to ensuring that his players have fun and derive some benefit from the experience.

Leadership: As a role model the coach has to ensure that the example he sets is worthy of redemption. The coach is a very influential person, particularly in the lives of young players, and he must take this responsibility seriously.

Empowerment: Good coaching is about giving players the confidence to make decisions under pressure. To achieve this the coach must first give his players the knowledge and the opportunity to practice decision making without fear of admonishment. Players who are constantly dominated by the coach will be frightened to make their own informed decisions.

*Alex Welsh, The Soccer Goalkeeping Handbook.

The 10 Guiding Principles of Goalkeeping

When To Coach Keepers

It is agreed that youth players ages 4-11 to should not be given permanent player positions, but Instead allowing them the chance to experience all aspects of the game: However there are those occasions when a child in this age range has the desire and ability to be a goalkeeper.

AGE GROUP 8-11: Teaching the Goalkeeping basics     

• Catching Ball in front of body with palms to the ball                                            

• Diving for shots and tumbling involved

• Kicking and throwing the ball to safe areas and/or to maintain  possession.                           

AGE GROUP 12-15:  Keepers should advance to the following     

• Shot stopping; Crosses; Through Balls                                                                         

• Breakaways

• Distribution                                                                                                                

• Communication

• Angle Play

• Catching Technique

• Footwork

• Break Aways                                                           

AGE GROUP High School-College: Putting it all together   

• Catching Technique

• Footwork

• Stance

• Diving Technique

• Waist Level and High Balls                

• Crosses                                   

• Angle Play

• Breakaways

• Penalty Kicks

• Distribution

• Communication

• Deflecting

• Boxing ( punching )

• Quickness

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE  KEEPER                                                                   

• Hand/Eye Coordination

• Agility

• Confidence

• Judgment

• Decisiveness                                                                                                                            

• Quickness

• Ability to Take Charge

• Concentration

• Vision

As a Keeper just remember, be a SLAVE to the S.A.V.E.

• Situation: What Are you defending against a set play (i.e. Corner kick, direct kick, indirect kick), or are you facing an offense attack.
• Adjust: Once you have determined what situation you are facing, adjust and put yourself in best possible position to make a play.
• Vision: You must be able to see the ball at all time
• Execution: Once you have done the above three, execute the save

GOALKEEPER EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

 When packing your bag remember to make sure you keep the following things in mind.

• At least two Jerseys of different colors. (Remember, your Jersey must not be the same color as your team or the opposing team)

• At least two pair of gloves. (Keep them in a glove bag or Zip Lock Baggy)

• Two pairs of shoes. One pair with molded cleats the other with screw in studs

• Extra Studs and Stud Tools( Screw in studs should be used in muddy conditions)

• Extra Laces

• Athletic Tape

• Something to remove mud from cleats

• Extra Socks

• Pair of Sweat Pants or Long Goal Keeper pants

• Dry towel

• Bottle of water

• Visored Cap