Once again, across the US, Soccer season begins in August.
Youth Club Soccer is beginning to crank up (we started with Tennessee Soccer Club this week and I begin my weekly trek to Ohio for Northern Warren County and Ohio Galaxies next week.) College soccer has begun the annual 'Sprint to December' at all levels--D1, D2, D3 and NAIA as well.
So, what does the serious GK look for in the beginning of a season? I believe it is a 4-step process:
Step 1. The beginning of training and getting 'GK Fit'. Pre-seasons are generally somewhat grueling and for the GK, it can be downright painful. GKs have to get their legs back, their strength up to par, and their 'eyes' and timing back. Legs: strength and movement are keys here. GKing is a position of explosive movement. Everything is full-speed for short bursts of time. Sometimes those bursts of time are extended in goal-mouth scrambles. Early preseason training prepares the legs and body for that. Eyes: A vital part of GKing is seeing the ball. Lots of times, the GK is not really watching the ball and slowing it down. Preseason training, through repetition, helps the GK to see shots, crosses and serves clearly, and enables smooth catching and collecting of the ball. This can only be achieved through repetitive training and concentration. Timing: Developing the ability to time movement and catching is key to the successful art of GKing. Preseason repetition (again!) enables the GK to move to save balls with determined quickness and fluidity while not over-expending energy or movement.
Step 2. Early season. Games begin in 3 weeks. The GK will need to be in best shape possible, while at the same time, knowing that early season games provide the opportunity to sharpen the above skills. All the training in the world will NOT prepare a GK for real-time match play. Early season games are where the GK hones his/her edge in preparation for the 'meat' of the season schedule. Make your silly mistakes in early season matches. Learn from those mistakes and move forward into the meat of the schedule being aware of displaying sharp, clean, Goalkeeping.
Step 3. Maintain your level. As you enter the meat of the schedule, you should become more and more proficient in goal with each and every game. Sure, you may make the occasional mistake or blunder in goal, but that's part of being a young GK. The main thing is, at this point in the season, you want to strive for consistency. You want to hit a level where you are playing the same, game-in-game-out. This consistency allows your team to play and move forward knowing that the GK behind them will clean-up and cover most of their mistakes. I always tell my GKs, "Give me 1 or 2 saves per game that you're NOT supposed to make--along with handling your usual GK duties decisively and cleanly--and we Win a lot of games."
Step 4. Playoffs. Now that the regular season is over, the '2nd season' begins. Playoffs! These matches are 'Win or Go Home' matches; and although the pressure is slightly higher, these matches are usually more fun for a GK. The challenge is much higher and of course the rewards are much greater. I always tell my GKs during Playoffs, "Give me 2 to 3 saves per game that you're NOT supposed to make--along with handling your usual GK duties decisively and cleanly--and we Win Championships!" Watch any sport with a Goal, and the team that wins the Championship has a Goalie that was consistently solid, and at times, superb during the Playoffs.
What we as GKs train for during the season, is to be the Goalie that is consistently solid, and at times, Superb, during the Playoffs. Good luck to you and your team during this New Season!
May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the other team shoot everything right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV
Youth Club Soccer is beginning to crank up (we started with Tennessee Soccer Club this week and I begin my weekly trek to Ohio for Northern Warren County and Ohio Galaxies next week.) College soccer has begun the annual 'Sprint to December' at all levels--D1, D2, D3 and NAIA as well.
So, what does the serious GK look for in the beginning of a season? I believe it is a 4-step process:
Step 1. The beginning of training and getting 'GK Fit'. Pre-seasons are generally somewhat grueling and for the GK, it can be downright painful. GKs have to get their legs back, their strength up to par, and their 'eyes' and timing back. Legs: strength and movement are keys here. GKing is a position of explosive movement. Everything is full-speed for short bursts of time. Sometimes those bursts of time are extended in goal-mouth scrambles. Early preseason training prepares the legs and body for that. Eyes: A vital part of GKing is seeing the ball. Lots of times, the GK is not really watching the ball and slowing it down. Preseason training, through repetition, helps the GK to see shots, crosses and serves clearly, and enables smooth catching and collecting of the ball. This can only be achieved through repetitive training and concentration. Timing: Developing the ability to time movement and catching is key to the successful art of GKing. Preseason repetition (again!) enables the GK to move to save balls with determined quickness and fluidity while not over-expending energy or movement.
Step 2. Early season. Games begin in 3 weeks. The GK will need to be in best shape possible, while at the same time, knowing that early season games provide the opportunity to sharpen the above skills. All the training in the world will NOT prepare a GK for real-time match play. Early season games are where the GK hones his/her edge in preparation for the 'meat' of the season schedule. Make your silly mistakes in early season matches. Learn from those mistakes and move forward into the meat of the schedule being aware of displaying sharp, clean, Goalkeeping.
Step 3. Maintain your level. As you enter the meat of the schedule, you should become more and more proficient in goal with each and every game. Sure, you may make the occasional mistake or blunder in goal, but that's part of being a young GK. The main thing is, at this point in the season, you want to strive for consistency. You want to hit a level where you are playing the same, game-in-game-out. This consistency allows your team to play and move forward knowing that the GK behind them will clean-up and cover most of their mistakes. I always tell my GKs, "Give me 1 or 2 saves per game that you're NOT supposed to make--along with handling your usual GK duties decisively and cleanly--and we Win a lot of games."
Step 4. Playoffs. Now that the regular season is over, the '2nd season' begins. Playoffs! These matches are 'Win or Go Home' matches; and although the pressure is slightly higher, these matches are usually more fun for a GK. The challenge is much higher and of course the rewards are much greater. I always tell my GKs during Playoffs, "Give me 2 to 3 saves per game that you're NOT supposed to make--along with handling your usual GK duties decisively and cleanly--and we Win Championships!" Watch any sport with a Goal, and the team that wins the Championship has a Goalie that was consistently solid, and at times, superb during the Playoffs.
What we as GKs train for during the season, is to be the Goalie that is consistently solid, and at times, Superb, during the Playoffs. Good luck to you and your team during this New Season!
May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the other team shoot everything right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV