Goalkeeping Tips, Tidbits and Random Thoughts

An athlete talking to themsleves during competition is hardly a new phenomenon.... The talk does not have to be vocal. By merely thinking you are talking to yourself and sending a message.
-- Tony DiCicco, Goalkeeper Soccer Training Manual

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The Basics

When starting training at a camp or clinic, or with a goalkeeper I haven't worked with in a while, we almost always start with basics: footwork, hand position, catching easy balls. This is the case even with advanced goalkeepers.

Why? Because all players need to have sound fundamentals, and the only way to make sure that they are sound and consistent is repetition. The 80/20 rule is in effect: 80% (probably more, really) of your saves are the simple ones, so that's where you should focus most of your effort. Of course, you need to learn how to make and train for the other 20%. But wouldn't you rather save eight out of 10 goals, instead of only two, no matter how spectacular those two are?

Labels: Training

Posted on Monday, January 12, 2009 | Permalink