and

Game Realistic Training

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today's subject deals with making keeper training more game realistic.

     First, if you haven't done so already please take a moment to learn more about how to design complete training sessions by going to
http://finesoccer.com/full_season.htm.

     When training a soccer team, frequently we will start with working on basic skills, and then we add in some pressure then go to some type of a
game related activity and then finish with some type of a game. The reason for using this type of a progression is to work on basics, make it a bit harder and then apply it in a game like situation.  If there isn't a game like situation, most of the time the players don't see how the skill work
relates to the game of soccer. If this is the generally accepted training philosophy in working with teams, why do most keeper coaches think that
working on skills and then adding some pressure is enough in their training of keepers?

      If we don't put the keepers into more game related situations in training, how can we expect them to improve? Too often, keeper coaches take their keepers off to a separate area for training (or do it before or after team training) and then when it's time to bring the keepers with the team, the keepers are thrown into goal and their part of training is over. It's these small-sided games that frequently take place in team training sessions that are where many of the real coaching opportunities exist but this is when many keepers think that their job is over.

     In training, keepers frequently work on shot blocking but neglect the areas of reading the game, distribution, communication etc. The small-sided games that many teams use in training are great opportunities for the keeper, with the help of coaches, to really learn and get a better
understanding of the game.

     When the keeper makes a save in a game, their job is not done and in many cases, it has just started as not only is the keeper the last line of defense but also the first line of attack. If the keeper doesn't work on this aspect of the game in training, they will be ineffective in the games.

     Keeper coaches can go so far as to stand on the field with the keeper in small sided scrimmages to work with them on reading the game and
communication but the keeper coaches who think that training keepers means lining balls up and firing rapid fire shots at the keeper are missing
some tremendous training and learning opportunities.

     If you are a keeper coach, are you taking advantage of the coaching opportunities that are available or are you just doing part of the job? If you are a keeper, do you understand that everything you do in a training session is a learning opportunity and wasting these opportunities will hold back your development as a keeper?

      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






FineSoccer.com
1976 Olympus Rd
Charleston Wv 25314


 

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: 04/08/04

Since February 24, 1999
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  Web Administrator    Ken Gamble