Leon, Author at Goalkeeper HQ

Author: Leon (page 13 of 16)

Balls behind the defense

March 19, 2014 / Leon / 0 Comments

One of the most common plays in youth soccer is the through ball which, if the goalkeeper is not switched on can prove dangerous. As a goalkeeper, you are responsible for guiding your team. You have the privilege of seeing the whole field and should see the opposition set up their attacking play. It is your responsibility to share what you see.

Goalkeepers should recognize the typical method of the “Up, back and through” or when a player is ready to do a large kick over the top so that they can take control when the ball is over or behind the defense. An appropriate advanced starting position will help you to win the race to win the ball if necessary.

Whilst constant communication of various types should be the norm, I see three main times when an instruction is vital.
1) When the ball is in the air
2) When the ball is has gone behind the defense and they are now facing you – the goalkeeper.

3) During set pieces

I am concentrating on the first two.

The call from the goalkeeper must be early. The purpose of calling is to give information in time for effective action to be taken. Late calls do not permit effective action.

What to say when the ball is either in the air of behind defense.

1 – Keeper’s coming! : You are coming to collect ( either inside or outside the area ). Note that a call of just “Keepers” may lead to confusion.

2 – Knock it back / Head it back : It’s keepers ball, but needs a player to help it on to you. As per the back pass

information, you should provide an audio and a visual of where you want the ball played. Goalkeepers should not be requesting the ball back if the ball is in the area. ( Too risky plus you should have already come to collect )
3a – Away : You can’t deal with it, but hopefully someone else can. If the opposition are closing down on your defender and a bouncing ball means that a pass back would cause more trouble then this should be the call. If the ball is running into the penalty box and you have not collected, the call should also be away.

3b – Turn outside : No need to knock it back, turn so you can set up an attack.

Here is one example of a situation where good communication allows the goalkeeper to receive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLeCPkgtizY&feature=youtu.be

Lack of communication causes confusion HERE
Example of a call ” Keepers coming – Let it run

Example of through ball where Keeper has to come HERE

( defenders after hearing “Keepers coming” should be screening the forwards and be ready for rebound.) Example of through ball where keeper collects. HERE
Example of when “Away” would be appropriate. HERE

The need for speed – Five drills to test your speed.

March 19, 2014 / Leon / 0 Comments

There are many components to fitness. All are important to soccer. As with all aspects of mastery, you have to first measure something if you want to improve. You can test your speed to improve it.

Speed is extremely important for goalkeeping. The ability to command your penalty box and to get to balls before your opponent is vital.

In a recent session, I incorporated different elements of the Goalkeeper HQ topics that required speed. These included

Speed of distribution
Speed to get to the ball first
Speed moving across the goal and up/down the line to make saves.

Test how ready you are to start the season with these five speed tests and the target time as set by UNH Women’s Soccer team.

Joe Hart “Starfish” save comes from opponents father.

March 7, 2014 / Leon / 0 Comments

In yesterday’s England v Denmark game, England’s Joe Hart made a great save to keep his team in the game at 0-0. The save he made ( pictured ) looked very familiar to his opposite number, Kaspar Schmeichel. Kasper’s father, Peter was the legendry Danish and Manchester United Goalkeeper who first brought the “Starfish” save to the Premier League. Peter’s handball background, where you have to make yourself as big as possible to stop the ball was the secret to many of his great saves, which made him arguably the best goalkeeper of his time. For those of you too young to remember the great man, see this youtube video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvZf5Zp-27Y

Ten Goalkeeping Tips for Tournaments

March 5, 2014 / Leon / 0 Comments

It’s amazing how many goalkeepers are not able to give their best performance at tournaments because they are not prepared. Here is a list of things to be ready for when traveling to a tournament, and in some cases be seen by college coaches.

1 – Clean your gloves prior to the tournament.

Get all dirt particles out of your gloves by putting them in a pillowcase and throwing in the washing machine. After the cycle, leave palm up out of sunlight. If you are not comfortable putting them in the washer, you can use glove wash or better still, bring out those new L1 Goalkeeper gloves for that new glove feeling.

2 – Read up on when / who you are playing in the tournament.

Check, and double check your times. This will help you in deciding when to eat, how much rest you are likely to have and what type of field you are likely to be playing on (Turf/grass). Be aware that most tournaments don’t have their final schedule out until 3 days before the start – Be aware of any changes.

3 – Pack extra goalkeeping equipment and have in a separate smaller bag.

Hat to avoid eye strain when looking into sun, squeezy bottle to wet gloves during and in between games, tape to ensure shinguards don’t get in the way of kicking. Have pants on hand if the goalmouth looks hard or rocky. Read up on all the equipment you might need but maybe don’t have. You can purchase goalkeeping equipment here.

4 – Read the article on exercises to do to warm up before a game.

Coach won’t have time to cater to your specialized needs. Read the article here

5 – Know the rules of the tournament.

How many minutes each way? Sudden death penalties? Throw in’s or kick-ins? Tiebreaker based on goals scored v Head to head? – This will help you to dictate the pace of the game.

6 – Look the part.

Ensure you look professional by having your shirt tucked in, socks over your shin guards and have your laces tied. The phycology of looking like a quality dedicated goalkeeper will help you in a game as you feel good and the opposition will be less confident in scoring a goal.

7 – Communicate.

With coaches – To see what style of play they are looking for ( Play out from the back / go long )
With defenders – When the ball is in the air / behind the defense. More info here
With team – to give encouragement. Read about the importance of communication here.

Review the communication flowchart!

8 – Fill out the match analysis form provided in previous e-mails.

Contact info@goalkeeperhq.com if you don’t have one.

This helps you to think about what was good, bad or ugly about your previous performance and gives a mental reminder of what you need to do better in the next game. If a parent or coach can provide the stats on the bottom of the page, even better.

9 – Know your penalty strategy.

Your strategy of saving a “one-off” penalty should be different to a penalty shoot-out.

[Update – 5/25 Be careful of stepping off your line as it could result in a caution! – See the relevant post here]

10 – Remember how good you are.

Think of all the good saves, early quality distributions that you made in your last game and throughout your goalkeeping life.

Help with College: Pt 1- Things to consider when choosing a college

Things to consider when choosing a College:

1) What is the academic reputation of the school?2) Does the school offer the major of your choice?
3) Do you want to go to a big school or a small school?
4) How far from home do you want to be?
5) Would you prefer City, Suburb or Country setting?
6) Do you know much about the current soccer team and the personalities of the team? – They could be your future team mates
7) Have an idea of the playing opportunities open to you
8) Have an idea of how many goalkeepers you will be competing with
9) Ask yourself if you will still be happy at a potential college if you don’t play soccer there.

Ten tips for goalkeepers to start the season

February 20, 2014 / Leon / 0 Comments

I thought I would post some hints & tips that I have given my Goalkeepers throughout the years.

1 – Have gloves that fit you correctly.

More than any lack of grip due to the foam latex being worn, it is the size of the gloves that often lead to poor handling. Too small and the hand is restricted …. unable to get a grip around the ball.
Too large and the excess material gets in the way of getting a good feel for the ball.

Purchase L1 Goalkeeper Gloves here

2 – Have water in a squeezey bottle or spray bottle.

This allows for quick access to keep gloves wet and also to keep mouth moist during training and games in which you will be shouting commands. See my post on benefits of the squeezy bottle.

3 – Ensure boots are the correct size, they are done up tightly and laces do not come undone during games or practice.

4 – Speak to your coach about preferred distribution techniques.

Some coaches prefer that the goalkeeper roll to feet, others would rather clear the lines. Much also depends on current result, time in the game and confidence of players on the field….. and of course the consistency in quality of your various distributions.

5 – Keep up to date with an archive of coaching notes. Many coaching notes can be found on this blog at www.GoalkeeperHQ.com

6 – Have tape to keep shinguards in place.

This prevents the shin guards sliding down the leg and getting in the way when making kicks. The tape should also be used to keep socks up. Constantly pulling up socks and adjusting shin guards is not only a distraction, but causes the latex on the gloves to become worn. You can purchase electrical tape in the “Products” page. Another option is the protective sock by Storelli.com…. not only do they provide protection to the lower leg, they allow you to slip your shinguard in. See the product here and don’t forget you can get 20% off a product by typing “Leon” in the coupon code at checkout.

7 – See a chiropractor.

Goalkeepers are renowned for having poor posture. Constantly bending down and being in the “Set” positon leads to hunched shoulders. This, along with the constant bashing our bodies take by diving on the floor lead to sublaxation of the spine, which of course protects the nervous system. Chiropractors often offer a free assessment.

8 – Consider your diet.

Soda should be a “No No”. Be aware of sugars in other drinks. Candy & Chips to a minimum. See my post on what happen’s to your body after drinking a coke. Keep to foods with whole ingredients, rather than processed.

Diet is a difficult thing to control as a child and parents often make decisions based on cost, time available to prepare, and family taste. Every family will have different pressures and each individual has different things work to help them create muscle whist reducing fat.

9 – Know your warm up routine.

See the post on Goalkeeper Warm up HERE

10 – Practice, Practice & Practice.

It takes some 10,000 hours to be a master of a skill. Ensure you are are the best at your strengths, and that you work on your weaknesses.

Bonus – If you feel you have not done as much as you should have in the run up to the season, see my post on the 80/20 guide to starting the season… a way to fake your way to excellence at the start of the season!

July 20, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANigKC_8GRU

I organized a Goalie Wars tournament over the Summer of 2013. Open to both goalkeepers and outfield players, this fast exciting game with goals only yards apart provided excitement to all.

Balls Behind the defense

July 6, 2013 / Leon / 1 Comment

Whilst constant communication of various types should be the norm, I see three main times when an instruction is vital.

When the ball is in the air
When the ball is has gone behind the defense and they are now facing you – the goalkeeper.
During set pieces

The text is regarding the first two.

The call from the goalkeeper must be early. The purpose of calling is to give information in time for effective action to be taken. Late calls do not permit effective action.

What to say when the ball is either in the air of behind defense.

1 – Keeper’s coming! : You are coming to collect ( either inside or outside the area ). Note that a call of just “Keepers” may lead to confusion.

2 – Knock it back / Head it back : It’s keepers ball, but needs a player to help it on to you. As per the back pass information, you should provide an audio and a visual of where you want the ball played. Goalkeepers should not be requesting the ball back if the ball is in the area. ( Too risky plus you should have already come to collect )

3a – Away : You can’t deal with it, but hopefully someone else can. If the opposition are closing down on your defender and a bouncing ball means that a pass back would cause more trouble then this should be the call. If the ball is running into the penalty box and you have not collected, the call should also be away.
3b – Turn outside : No need to knock it back, turn so you can set up an attack.

Here is one example of a situation where good communication allows the goalkeeper to receive HERE.

Lack of communication causes confusion HERE

Example of a call ” Keepers coming – Let it run” ) –HERE

Example of through ball where Keeper has to come HERE

( defenders after hearing “Keepers coming” should be screening the forwards and be ready for rebound.)

Example of through ball where keeper collects. HERE

Example of when “Away” would be appropriate. HERE

March 7, 2013

http://www.slideshare.net/handsleading/systems-of-play2

Did rolled up sleeves cause this mistake?

February 12, 2013 / Leon / 0 Comments

After being hailed for a great penalty double save against Brazil, Joe Hart recently had a terrible mistake in which the former Manchester City Keeper blames on the kit!

See the article here.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/feb/10/joe-hart-sleeves-joe-corrigan

Your headquarters for all things goalkeeping

Author: Leon (page 13 of 16)