Category: Goalkeeping
Type: Tip
GOALKEEPERS TAKING CHARGE
As a goalkeeper, how do I take charge of my defense without seeming too demeaning and so they will understand what I want them to do?
When controlling your defense, often you have to raise your voice and it may sound like yelling at them. However, your teammates know the difference. And, the key is to reward them when they do something great for you and the team. Like clearing a ball or winning a tackle. I don't like goalkeepers that belittle their teammates when they make a mistake. That is not good leadership.
Remember the best leaders give a lot of positive feedback and then when they have to demand, it's taken by their teammates much differently and better.
Learning the Game
What recommendations do you have for schools, clinics and licenses for a new coach who wants to learn the game?
For new coaches, call your state youth association. If you don't have a number call US Soccer in Chicago 800-759-9636 or call the US Youth Soccer Association at 1-800-4soccer.
Licenses, even the most basic are great to start you in the right direction and allow your own creative ideas to have a foundation.
I will only say this about coaching. It has to be FUN! I mean for everyone. When I coached the US Women to a Gold Medal in Atlanta or to the World Championship last summer, it had to be fun for them also. The last thing I wrote on the board before every game was:
PLAY HARD, PLAY TO WIN, HAVE FUN!
Player Positional Development
At what point should young players who are just gaining confidence in their ability at a position be moved to a different position for development?
What does young mean? If you are talking U-12, they should be able to play anywhere. That will only help them as they compete at later ages for positions. Once a player is 14 or older, yes they can specialize. But remember, one coach sees a midfield in one player another sees a defender or a forward. If a player has never been exposed to other positions they don't have the confidence to play. I saw this happen all the time at the national team level.
Then there was Brandi Chastain. When she was on the team in 1991 and throughout her career she was a forward, a goal scorer. When she came back onto the National Team in 1996, I converted her to a defender. Because Brandi was a soccer junkie, learned to play anywhere on the field, she was not intimidated with this position and went onto win a Gold Medal in the Olympics and another Gold Medal in the World Cup as a defender.
Preparing for Soccer Camp
What are the things that I should do to prepare for a summer soccer camp?
Before you go to summer soccer camp, make sure you are fit, but rested. If you go to a high level camp and are not prepared for 3 sessions a day, you will not be able to reap the benefits of that camp. Make sure you do some running prior to camp, play a lot of 1v1 and small sided games with your friends, play whatever 11v11 games you can get also. But then, take a few days off to rest and recover.
My camps, SoccerPlus Goalkeeper School and SoccerPlus Fieldplayer Academy, are designed for the serious player. We start at age 12 and we work hard to challenge our students, but also be there for them so that they can succeed. Do your part and a summer camp experience can be life changing.
Drills for 5 and 6 year olds
What sorts of drills should I do for 5-6 year olds during practice?
When you are coaching 5-6 year olds, you don't drill, you PLAY. Each should have his or her own ball as much as possible. Your training should be all about technique, not tactics and every exercise you do should be a fun game to teach a skill. Stay away from players standing in lines more than 1 or 2 deep to get a chance to play and let them explore the game from their own eyes.
At some level, you are teaching socialization within a soccer framework. This age group should not be led, but guided.
Check out Pill's Drills from the eteamz.com directory and Jeff Pill, who is a master at developing fun games to play and has a bunch for you to absorb.
I'll give you an example of a fun game where everyone is moving etc. and has their own ball:
Create two teams: Mark off two grids (numbers and size of grid should match and as you try these fun games you will adjust).
Each player on Team A has a ball in grid A and is dribbling around. One player from Team B (different color bib) also has a ball in Grid A and is dribbling around and trying to tag or kick the ball out of the grid. Count the scores in a 30 second time. Then another B player comes into the A grid.
Of course the same thing is happening in Grid B in reverse. Does this make sense? I hope so because it's fun and everyone is learning to control the ball at his or her feet while laughing and running and doing everything that makes a soccer practice worthwhile.
Drills for Goalkeepers
What are some drills that I, as a goalkeeper, can do to work on my ball handling and diving?
As a goalkeeper, improved ball handling comes through a lot of repetitions. Start from a seated position and have a teammate from close range play balls into your hands. Practice catching with only one sound made between both hands. Then do it from your knees. That will start you diving a little. Then repeat the same drill while standing.
There are two types of diving. The Collapse Dive, which means you catch before you dive and the Extension Dive which means you catch after you dive. The best thing I can tell you for learning more about them and how to train for them is to purchase my 3 tape video series on Goalkeeping featuring Briana Scurry. Just call 1-800-keeper-1.
Good luck. Tony DiCicco
Submitted by: Tony DiCicco
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