Semiahmoo Soccer Club South Surrey BC - Goalkeeper Development

Goalkeeper Development

Written by Martin Thomas, Assistant Goalkeeping Coach, The Football Association

The Progression of a Goalkeeper Developmental program matches training to age level

The Technical Department of the Football Association offers this developmental program for goalkeepers which traces a progression for teaching young keepers.

8- to 10-year-olds
Physical:

Game-oriented
Balance
Coordination

Technical:

Set position
General handling techniques - thrown service, all heights, small goal
Distribution: Control and short passing
Rolling to a teammate
Volleying from hands

Tactical:

Rotation of positions - everybody plays in each position

Conditioning:

Warm-up, cool down
Introduction to basic stretching
Ball familiarity - size 3

Psychological:

Fun and enjoyable.
Simple progression in techniques - "one step at a time"

10- to 12-year-olds
Physical:

Height-weight - measure in January, May, September
Balance
Coordination
Rhythm

Technical:

Set position
General handling techniques - thrown/kicked service - all heights
Positional play - introduction to "into and down the line," small goals
Basic diving techniques - general principles
Dealing with crosses - thrown services
Distribution
Control and short passing - both feet
Rolling/over arm throws to teammates
Volleying from hands/short goal kicks
1 v. 1 Principles

Tactical:

The role of the goalkeeper - basic technical principles
Discussion

Conditioning:

Warm-ups/cool downs
The importance of stretching
Ball familiarity - size 4
Flexibility and mobility

Psychological:

Simple progression in techniques - set standards
Theoretical, group work - What qualities does a goalkeeper need?

12- to 14-year-olds
Physical:

Height/weight - measure in January, April, July, October
Footwork: balance/coordination/rhythm/tempo, all directions
Speed - 15 meters maximum

Technical:

Set position/general handling techniques, all heights
Shot stopping - decision making, techniques of catching/deflecting
Narrowing the angle - into line and down the line, full size goal
Diving techniques - collapsing save/step and save/step, power and save
Basic practices to improve reactions
Dealing with crosses - chipped serve, unopposed, catching/punching
Distribution
Dealing with the back pass
Importance of support/availability
Control and increased range of passing, both feet
All techniques of throwing - roll/javelin/over arm
Goal kicks/volleying/introduction to half volleying
1 v. 1
"Quality, not quantity"

Tactical:

Distances of support
Communication
Terminology
Game-related situations - small-sided games - decision-making

Conditioning:

Warm-ups/cool-downs
Goalkeeping-related stretching
Flexibility
Mobility exercises

Psychological:

Motivational/technical videos
Talks - 15 minutes maximum
The full-size goal - dealing with the problems that will arise
Match and training preparation
Growth and development: diet and nutrition:
Lifestyle
Dealing with assessment
Selection/trialists
Dealing with praise/criticism

14- to 16-year-olds
Physical:

Height/weight - measure in January, March, May, July, September, November
Body fat
Balance/coordination/rhythm/tempo
All directions speed - 20 meters maximum

Technical:

Footwork/set position/general handling techniques
All diving techniques - collapse/step and save/step power and save
Narrowing the angle - triangle theory
Shot stopping/catch or deflect/recovery saves
Intermediate practices to improve reactions
Dealing with crosses
Served from all areas, opposed
Working within the defensive unit
- Functional/small-sided
- Game/phase of play
- Distribution
- Dealing with the back pass
- Angles and distance of support
- Communication/control - first touch/both feet
- Position of teammates/selection/best option
- Quality of pass/readjustment of position
- Variation of pass
- Goal kicks/volleys/half volleys/side volleys
- Improved range/variation in throwing techniques
- Seminar work, videos, training/matches, feedback

Tactical:

Key issues in distances of support - attacking/midfield/defensive thirds
Communication - instructional
Game-related situations - small-sided games/phases of play, 11 v. 11
Organization - defending set play, corners and free kicks

Conditioning:

Stretching, flexibility, mobility and strengthening exercises
Introduction to agility exercises - low intensity/low reps
Introduction to basic plyometrics, theory

Psychological:

Motivational talks/videos - 15 minutes maximum
Group discussions/presentations
Training/match preparation
Lifestyle/discipline
Living away from home
Dealing with competition: trialists/influx of foreign goalkeepers
Physical confrontation
Dealing with pressure - internal/external
Dealing with failure

16- to 21-year-olds
Physical:

Height/weight - weekly
Body fat - monthly
Balance/coordination/rhythm/tempo
Speed - 20 meters maximum

Technical:

Footwork/set position/general handling techniques
All diving techniques - collapse/step/step and save/step, power and save
Narrowing the angle - triangle theory
Shot stopping/catch or deflect/recovery saves
Advanced reaction practices
Dealing with crosses
- Opposed
Working within defensive unit
- Functional/small-sided games/phases of play
- Distribution
- Dealing with the back pass
- Angles and distance of support
- Communication/control-first
- Touch/both feet
- Position of teammates
- Selection - best option
- Timing, weight and accuracy of pass
- Readjustment of position
- Improved range/accuracy of passing
All techniques
- Improved range of throwing techniques
- Best option.