and
Goalkeeping
Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today's subject deals with keepers setting up walls.
First, if you haven't done so already please take a moment to learn more about how training sessions are developed from start to finish over the course of a season. To learn more please go to http://finesoccer.com/full_season.htm. The current seasons sessions are for high school aged teams but previous seasons (which are still available) include, U11's and U9's as well as college aged teams.
When a free kick is awarded to the opposing team within a scoring area teams will set up walls (whether it's a direct or indirect kick) in order to help protect part of the goal. Properly setting up a wall in a timely manner will frequently be the difference between success and failure for the defending team.
The first thing that has to happen is for the determination to be made whether a wall is necessary. The only person who can make this decision is the keeper since it's the keeper who is ultimately responsible for the result of the free kick. Once the keeper has determined a wall is necessary, the next thing that the keeper must do is determine how many players are needed in a wall. Too few players in the wall will result in a large part of the goal unprotected and too many players in the wall will result in other attacking players being undefended and also will make it difficult for the keeper to see the ball. There really isn't a set number of players per given location on the field because it will depend upon many factors including the keepers range, the shooters ability to bend balls etc. Each keeper might have a different preference towards numbers in the wall in a given situation so it's something that the keeper must articulate quickly and clearly.
One way to make sure the right people are in the wall is to pre-assign them based on positions. For example, the stopper might be assigned number 1, the near outside midfielder might be assigned number 2, the far outside midfielder might be assigned number and the two forwards might be assigned numbers 4 and 5. By using these pre-assigned numbers when a keeper yells "3" the stopper automatically goes to the end of the wall, the near outside midfielder goes to the next position and then far outside midfielder goes to the next position in the wall. This method avoids most of the confusion of who should be in the wall when the keeper yells out the number.
Now that the correct people are in the wall it's up to the keeper to set them up quickly. The easiest way to do this is for the keeper to go to the near post (quickly) and work with the number 1 player on positioning. There are a few different ideas as to where the number 1 player should be positioned ranging from the keeper should be able to see the ball between the number 1 players legs to the keeper should be able to see the ball between number 1 and number 2. This would depend upon things such as the shooters ability to strike a ball hard and also their ability to bend the ball. The keeper needs to make this decision ahead of time. Once player number 1 is setup properly, the rest of the player's fill in right away and the wall is now set up. There are different methods for the keeper and player 1 to communicate but I prefer to have player 1 turn and face the keeper and the keeper points in one way or the other. Player 1 takes very small steps until the keeper indicates player 1 should hold and then player 1 turns around to face the ball. The reason for player 1 turning and facing the keeper is that it doesn't require verbal communication and sometimes it's hard for them to hear each other. The thing to emphasize is that if they are facing each other the keeper can't yell "right" or "left" because the keepers left is player 1's right so that would be confusing. This is the reason I prefer the keeper points.
Many people prefer that the wall be set up by a forward from the other side of the ball but the reason I prefer to not use this method is it requires lining up 4 points instead of just 3. When the keeper lines up the wall, the keeper must line up the near post, player 1 and the ball, which is a total of 3 points. When a forward lines up the wall, they have to line up themselves, the ball, player 1 and the near post and the fewer points to line up the less chance of a mistake. Others would take the view that when the keeper is lining up the wall, the opposing team could shoot quickly near post and catch the keeper out of position but if organized ahead of time, this shouldn't be a problem.
Once it's determined there should be a wall, how many players should be in the wall, who the players in the world and where the wall should be located, the next step is for the keeper to get into the proper position. Frequently, this means the in a line that could be determined as follows. Draw a line from the ball to the last player in the wall (if there are 3 players in the wall the imaginary line goes right next to player 3) and extend this line to the goal line. The keeper would be lined up almost on that line which would let them cover the near post on a chipped ball (unless there are too many people in the wall) and also cover the far post shot.
As you can see, the proper use of a wall requires thought, planning and a lot of quick teamwork. This is a great example of how the people who say you have to be crazy to be a keeper are so wrong. The truth is you have to be smart to be a keeper to get things organized and set up so quickly.
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum at http://finesoccer.net
To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm
Have a great day!
Lawrence
Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today features a new activity to work on deflections and reactions.
First, this will be the last week for the 25% discount for all Kwik Goal equipment. To learn more please go to http://finesoccer.com/kwik_goal.htm
Also, the 2004 Full Season Training Sessions are now being offered for two high school aged teams. Also the 2003 Youth Sessions and 2002 College sessions are being offered. To learn more please go to http://finesoccer.com/full_season.htm
This activity requires a minimum of 2 keepers but can be done with as many as 4 keepers. If there are two keepers there is also a need for 2 servers but if there are 4 keepers the keepers can act as their own servers.
Start with one goal and 4 coaching sticks (if you don't have coaching sticks then you can use cones). The goal is on the end line and with the coaching sticks creates two more goals on slight diagonals on the 6-yard box. See diagram at http://finesoccer.com/goalkeeping_edition_207.htm for the basic set up
The server on the right side shoots and tries to
beat the first keeper through the goal made up of the coaching sticks. The
front keeper is trying to make the save and prevent the ball from going
between the two coaching sticks, which represent the first goal. The back
keeper is trying to keep the ball out of the main goal. The back keeper has
to react to whether the first keeper gets beat and also whether there is a
deflection as well. Once the save is made (by either of the keepers)
they switch sides and the keeper who was in the back goal is now in the
front goal on the left side and the keeper from the right side is now the
back goal. See diagram at
http://finesoccer.com/goalkeeping_edition_207.htm for the basic
movement.
If there are four keepers involved with this
training session they would do one set of 8 shots (four from each side) and
then the servers and keepers would change roles. Next the first set of
keepers goes back in and change sides (which means that if a player was the
front keeper on the right side she would now be the front keeper on the left
side).
This is a great activity to work on deflections,
reactions, fitness (try this for a few sets and you will see how much
fitness work is required), angle play, shot blocking and communication. This
can be done for players of all ages and abilities.
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent
to Lawrence@finesoccer.com
or they can be posted to the FineSoccer Forum at
http://finesoccer.net
To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters
please go to
http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm
Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today's newsletter will help keepers learn to handle contact better on high balls.
First, the Atlanta Keeper Camp is more than half filled already so if you are interested in attending please sign up quickly. The dates are June 14-18 and for more information please go to http://finesoccer.com/camp.htm .
Also, because of the popularity of the Atlanta Keeper Camp I am going to do a second keeper camp this summer. The second camp will be in Charleston West Virginia. All training will be identical to the Atlanta Keeper Camp and the dates are July 5-9. For more information please go to http://finesoccer.com/wvkeeper.htm
One of the most difficult things for keepers to do is win high balls under pressure. The reason for this is that while many keepers will train to receive high balls, they don't train to do it under pressure or with contact. Here is a progression to help prepare keepers to catch or punch with contact.
Start with a keeper, a server and two helpers. The keeper should start on her knees and the two helpers are also on their knees on each side of her. This means the three of them are on their knees side by side with the keeper in the middle. The server is 10 yards away and simply lofts balls into the keeper. To start the helpers make minor contact on the keeper (shoulder to shoulder) while the keeper either catches or punches the ball. Gradually the two helpers can add more contact to make it more game realistic. This helps prepare the keeper for the type of contact they will encounter in a game. If there are three keepers, the two helpers would be the other keepers and they would alternate into the middle
Next is the same thing but from a catchers (squatting) position. Again, start with mild contact and gradually work up to full contact.
Next is the same thing from a standing position. The key here is that we have now added footwork to the equation and there will be a tendency for the keeper to want to come forward early to get in front of the helpers. It's vital that the keeper is patient and either takes the first step in place or even backwards so as not to overrun the high ball. If there are three keepers, they could all take 10 high balls and then switch roles.
The last step in this progression is to have balls served in from 30-40 yards out and all three keepers are allowed to win the ball. Now it's every keeper for them selves and is full contact. Again there will be a tendency to come forward too far but this is something they have to overcome. The first keeper to catch 5 balls wins.
By training under pressure and with contact it allows the keeper to be better prepared for the contact that is inevitable in a game situation.
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum at
http://finesoccer.net
To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters
please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm
Have a great day!
Lawrence
Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today's subject deals with developing good habits in training to handle rebounds in a game.
I observed a keeper training session recently and the main emphasis was on footwork and then diving to get the body behind the ball. The coach had the keepers shuffle to a cone near the far post and then shuffle back to the near post where a ball was served to and the keeper had to dive and make a save. The actual activity itself is
unimportant but the thing that stood out in my mind was that if the keeper made the save and held onto the ball that was fine. If the keeper made the save but gave up the rebound, it was over. I mentioned to the coach the importance for the keepers of cleaning up any loose balls and he said he was content with them simply making the save because in a game they would go get the rebound.
The problem with this attitude is that practice makes permanent so the keeper who trains to pounce on any loose ball in practice will most likely be better prepared to do the same in a game. The keeper who just lies on the ground after making a save in training and not getting the loose ball will most likely do the same thing in the game because that is the habit the keeper is developing.
As a keeper, develop the habit of finishing all plays properly which means in this case, if there is a rebound after a save get up quickly and get to that ball using the same technique as would be used in a game.
As a keeper coach, demand your players do their jobs correctly and help them develop these good habits, which will make them a better keeper.
Doing the little things correctly is one of the things that separate to top keeper from the rest.
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum at
http://finesoccer.net
To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm
Have a great day!
Lawrence
Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today's subject deals with the pressure of excellence.
If you haven't done so already please take a moment to participate in the current online survey by going to http://finesoccer.com/survey.htm
Chris Ducar, assistant women's soccer coach at the University of North Carolina, conducted a session a couple of weeks ago at the NSCAA convention in Charlotte NC that worked on keepers handling crosses and the proper footwork involved with this.
While his session overall was extremely well done there was one thing that he said that really applies to all of keeper training as well as soccer and life in general.
Chris described how he has 4 keepers on his college team and one of the issues that have to be dealt with is playing time in training. Instead of having each keeper take a set number of crosses or a set number of shots, he uses the "pressure of excellence" to determine how long a keeper stays in goal. The way this works is as long as the keeper performs to a standard of excellence she stays in goal. When the keepers performance is lower than excellent the keepers switch to a new keeper in goal.
To give an example, if the keepers are involved in a crossing activity and the keeper comes out and bobbles the ball because of poor hand position, or the footwork to approach the ball in incorrect, the keepers would switch. If the keeper's footwork is done properly and they catch it properly, they stay in for another turn. This applies to decision making as well. If a keeper goes out for a ball she should have stayed back for, or stays back on a ball she should have gone out to, this would cause a switching of keepers in training.
The key to using the pressure of excellence is to use the time after the switch as a coaching opportunity. If a keeper makes the wrong decision on whether to come out for a ball and this results in her being switched out of goal, the keeper needs to know what the mistake was and also how to correct it. This shows the keeper that this isn't being done as a punishment but rather as a way for her to learn from her mistakes. This is the difference of using this as an excuse for negative reinforcement (if you make a mistake you are benched) as opposed to using it as a teaching opportunity as well as motivation.
How often have you seen a keeper (or maybe you have been the keeper) who let's a ball go in during training because it just didn't matter enough to make the effort. On the same ball they would have dived for in a real game, they let it go because "it's only training". The pressure of excellence helps to prevent this type of attitude from developing because rather than the keepers feeling they are "entitled" to a certain number of reps, now they have to earn their reps in training.
The pressure of excellence can be used in most activities and will help all competitive keepers (and others if applied to the field players as well). The one thing with this is that I am not sure I would use this with real young keepers but as they get older and as they get better the bar has to be raised in training if they want to raise their level of play in games.
For those who might think, "it's not fair" to do this, realize that this is how many things in their lives will be done in the future. How is playing time determined at the higher levels? It's determined not by entitlement but rather by performance. Who gets promoted at work? In most cases it's the person who performs better (at least at the successful companies).
The pressure of excellence is a way to help players get the most out of their training, themselves and their teammates.
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum at
http://finesoccer.net To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters
please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm.
Have a great day!
Lawrence
Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today's subject will show an easy way to work on proper footwork on crosses played to the back post without having to have someone who can cross a perfect ball every time.
There is a new survey online (this is the first new survey in many months!). Please take a moment to participate by going to http://finesoccer.com/survey.htm
One of the more difficult things to practice, as a keeper is a high lofted ball played to the far post. This is difficult because it requires the keeper to have someone who can serve the ball properly on a regular basis (or else there is a lot of wasted time and energy spend chasing balls). The other problem is that even if the server is able to serve the ball consistently it's then extremely difficult for the server to also observe the footwork of the keeper to make any corrections/suggestions due to their having to keep their head down to serve the ball properly.
One way to work on this is to have a server, holding a ball stand near the corner of the 6-yard box and the end line. The keeper starts in the goal and sprints out and touches the ball with her hands and then does a drop step (if the server is to the keepers left, the drop step is done with the right foot) and then the server lofts the ball toward the far post. Using proper footwork the keeper gets back behind the ball and then goes up to catch it. The keeper then throws the ball back to the server, gets back into goal and then does it again. Each time the keeper catches the ball properly the server then throws the ball a little bit further until the keeper is really pushed to get to the ball properly. Do this 10 times from the left side and then switch and do it 10 times from the right side.
By starting off working on lofted balls this way, it allows the server to be more consistent on the serving of a balls (since many people will find it easier to throw a lofted ball 20 yards than to cross a ball from 30-40 yards) plus the server can see the footwork of the keeper better in order to make suggestions/corrections.
Once this has been done a few times the server can then go out wider and serve crosses from the sideline in order to add in another variable for the keeper (since the keeper will have to read the flight of the ball and this is the best way to do it).
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum at http://finesoccer.net To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm
Have a great day!
Lawrence
PS Many people make New Year Resolutions regarding how to be successful etc. Those who have done so might want to check out SoccerAtEase (at http://finesoccer.com/socceratease.htm), which deals with how to be successful in soccer as well as in life.
Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today's subject deals with goalkeeper coaches. First, all books available from FineSoccer.com are available with no cost for shipping till December 15th! This includes SoccerAtEase (with Pursuing Personal Perfection), Full Season Training Program as well as two new offerings, which are Vision of A Champion by Anson Dorrance plus Coaching the English Premier League 4-4-2 by David Williams. Also, any combination of books comes with at least a 10% discount. To learn more about this offer please go to http://finesoccer.com/book_sale.htm
There are many coaches who receive this newsletter who either are keeper coaches or who claim to be keeper coaches. However, what exactly does a keeper coach do?
At most keeper camps the sessions are planned ahead of time since there are keepers in attendance of various levels and the people running the camps can't know the individual keepers needs and wants nor will they have the time and opportunity to properly evaluate the keepers in a proper game setting (even when a keeper is playing in a game in the evening of a week long camp it's a different environment in most cases than what the keeper plays in during their regular season and camps). Because of this situation most keeper camps put a great deal of emphasis on technique along with some general tactical concepts and some do a very good job. Being a camp keeper coach usually requires a good deal of knowledge of "how" to do things.
Being a "true" keeper coach is a completely different situation from being a camp keeper coach, especially for older keepers. While there is still a tremendous need for an emphasis on technique, a huge part real keeper training is helping with the decision making process of goalkeeping (for decades, the top male keepers in the world were in their 30's because it took that long to have the experience to start to make the proper decisions.
The "keeper coach" who simply runs weekly clinics for groups and isn't attending the games is really just extending the camp mentality to the regular season. How can a keeper coach truly know what the keeper needs to work on if they aren't attending at least some of the games? How can a keeper coach help with communication if they aren't hearing what the keeper is doing right and what they are doing wrong during the games? How can a keeper coach work with a keeper on footwork during crosses if they don't see where the keepers starting position is? How can a keeper coach work with a keeper on distribution if they aren't also teaching the keeper to read the game situation to know not only how to distribute the ball but also when, where and to whom?
This is the difference between working with players to truly develop into goalkeepers or simply working with them to become more proficient shot blockers.
If you are a keeper coach are you a true keeper coach or are you just an extension of the camp "coaches"? If you are a keeper and have a keeper coach is he/she a true keeper coach and if not, what are you going to do about it?
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum at http://finesoccer.net To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm
Have a great day!
Lawrence
We would like to thank Lawrence Fine and FineSoccer.com for allowing us to publish this article on the NASL website. Please visit http://www.FineSoccer.com and sign up for Lawrence's free coaching newsletters and articles.
Created:
12/20/99
Last Updated:
06/16/04
Since
February 24, 1999
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