Organizing Keeper Training

Sveinung Økland offer the following practice session for keepers. Thanks Svienung.

I have experimented for a while and consulted other keepers and GK coaches, and for the last six months I have used the following method for increasing the basic skills.

Once or twice a week, we have training sessions which do not include game play, only technical training. My students always use basic skill excercises during warm up, but the main effort on this subject comes at the very end of the session. When doing technical training, I try to focus on one area per training session, let's say field work in one session and dives in the next, and I use different exercises in order to to increase intensity. When the students are most fatigue and tired, we stop and move the basics. I want my keepers to concentrate as much as possible on their technical performance, so I do not pick complicated exercises. They get together in pairs, and throw the ball back and forth from a distance of 8-10 meters, or alike. All near-the-body shots to the face, stomach region, and feet. I tell them to stay focused on the ball, on how they catch the ball and how they move to make an easy save. Usually this part of the exercise lasts for about 15 minutes. I stress quality and rapid repeats.

So what is the purpose of this? I found out that the quality of my keepers work decreased at the end of the sessions, due to fatigue. I could not find any way to stop it, and I did not want to slow down intensity on the previous exercises. Instead, we started to do basic skill training at the end of the session, where the keepers were told to focus on how they catch the ball and how they moved.

The effect turned out to be great for my keepers, and all of them have improved their basic skills a great deal. I think it's because the body needs to make a greater effort to do things right when fatigue sets in, and this results in greater learning effectiveness. I try to keep my students concentrated by telling them that if they can do it right at this stage of tiredness, imagine what it be like when they're all fit for fight again.

After only a few weeks I could see great improvement during both warm up and in game sessions, that their technique was a lot better. So this tip is not about any specific exercise, but on WHEN basic skill training is most effective. The important steps is to step by step increase intensity during the what-ever previous exercises, and at the end move to simple basic skill exercises.

I like to hear any comments or questions on this.

The idea of working on basics when the players are tired is great. Keepers who are working alone can also use this idea to advantage.

Copyright 1996-2002 ©Les Sparks

Les Sparks had the Goalkeeper's Corner website for the Carolina United Soccer Club from 1996 - 2002. 

Created: 12/20/99
Last Updated: 06/04/03

Since February 24, 1999
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