This is
the first of many informational pieces that will address some of the areas of
concern in youth goalkeeping. It is
important to remember, as we launch this Goalkeeping Network, that the concept
is to share and not dictate information.
We all have our own way of training keepers and as long as technique is
first and foremost in our training for youth goalkeepers, we will all be on the
same page and working towards a common goal.
Areas of concern in Youth Goalkeeping.
In this
first installment we will look at one of the areas of concern that was raised
by our Regional Goalkeeper Coaches. The
area that is paramount as a basis for the future of our goalkeepers is: technique
and the need for functional technical training.
Functional Technical Training.
It is
great that goalkeepers get individual attention. Some training is better than none at all. The problem is: how much of the training is
done straight in front of goal and from an unrealistic service. How many times have you said or have heard
“She was great in training, she just can’t do it in games!” As a goalkeeper coach, I am offended to hear
that. It means that I am not doing my job. I understand that there are players that play
better in training than in games, as games produce a different psychological
response than training, but so much of the goalkeepers training is done in a
non-functional environment that when it comes to game time the keeper has not
seen some of the situations that occur with regularity.
As coaches
we must try as much as possible to replicate game-type situations in our
training. The keepers need to see shots and
service from all angles. They must also
see a variety of shots – bending, driven, bouncing etc. Whenever possible the ball should be hit from
the ground and should be a moving ball so that the keeper can read the cues of
the shooter. I agree that there is a
time and a place for throwing a ball in youth training but we must strive to
move away from this as a primary means of service.
While a
keeper does see shots from varying angles and sometimes multiple shots,
depending on rebounds or a save from our trusted goalpost, we must also try to
get away from having the goalkeepers make 8-10 saves in a row. There is a place for multiple repetitions at
a certain stage in the season, but as fatigue sets in, technique falters and
that must be our primary concern. Let’s
face it; if a goalkeeper is making 8 saves in a row in a game we have some
serious problems.
When we
are training our keepers in a technical environment we must strive for success
so realistic but challenging service is key. We must also ensure that the goalkeeper’s
movements and body shape are dictated by the cues of the game, e.g. the pace of
the ball played across the goal area or the proximity of the shooter.
Two vital
areas that must be improved are the goalkeeper’s ability to get into a good
position and be composed and the goalkeeper’s body shape when preparing to
receive a shot. Composure is an attribute
that is often overlooked. Goalkeeping is
all about effort to get into position, composure when you are about to face a
shot and then effort to make the save.
This model of effort – composure – effort is very rarely seen in our
youth goalkeepers. The model we see is:
effort – effort – effort. When the
goalkeeper gets into position we must make sure that they are able to remain
loose and relaxed. When you are relaxed
your reaction time is better than when you are tense and bouncing around. If you watch some of the top goalkeepers they
conserve their energy by moving efficiently and being as calm and composed as
possible. We need to develop this in our
young goalkeepers so that they are calm and can respond effectively to the cues
of the game.
Body shape
is critical as we know. In a recent
regional event it was noticeable that, in general, the goalkeepers were
standing too upright when preparing to save.
This leads to all kinds of problems and technical breakdowns. Here are just a few problems with an upright
stance: 1, reaction time is slower, 2, diving from an upright position often
results in a dive that is angled backwards because you are slower, 3, the
natural response to a ball hit at you with pace is to flinch slightly. With an upright body position, if you flinch
and move your shoulders back further you will find that, assuming the legs are
slightly bent, your hips rotate backwards forcing your knees forward and this
causes you to be on your heels. Once on
your heels the common response to the shot is backwards.
We would
like to see our youth goalkeepers in a better ready position when the ball is
within shooting distance. We recommend
that the goalkeepers compact the space between their shoulders and their knees
and have their head and elbows slightly forward. For years we have talked about the position
of the hands. While important, the hands
become non-factors if they are too close to the body. We have seen at the highest levels that, just
by pushing the elbows slightly forward so they can operate in front of the rib
cage, the reaction time for the hands is greatly increased. This results in fewer rebounds and cleaner
technique.
We will
address footwork in greater detail in another correspondence. The ability to get into a good position is
dependant on the goalkeeper’s footwork.
We have all heard that “The feet get the hands to the ball”. One thing that should be stressed with our
goalkeepers is: smaller is better.
Taking small steps generates speed quicker and enables a goalkeeper to
gain their balance with greater ease.
That is not to say that a keeper should use mini-steps at all times –
just when they start their movement and when reaching their position while
gaining balance and composure.
Technique
is our basis for goalkeeping. We must
continue to produce technical goalkeepers.
The motto for youth goalkeeping should be: be technical first, block second. At the professional level, where jobs are on
the line, the motto is: block first, be
technical second. We see a lot of
unorthodox techniques used at the professional level and on the TV. As coaches we need to understand that the pros
may use varying methods due to their experience and due to the pace at which
the ball is moving. While we must
applaud the successes at the professional level, we must reassure and recommit
our youth goalkeepers to the importance of technique.
Coaches
all have their own methods and modify techniques to meet their philosophy on
goalkeeping. Let us continue to improve
our nation’s keepers by stressing technique in all areas and moving towards
training our keepers in realistic and functional situations.
Phil Wheddon
U.S.
Women’s National Team.