Hey Blog-lodytes! Sorry Imissed yesterday. We're putting the finishing touches on the 2015 Reusch catalog and as such I was writing catalog copy. By the way, be sure to get on our mailing list so that you get all of our new catalogs, flyers and specials. The 2015 Reusch range is really solid!
OK. So now pre-season trainings are underway. And as GKs, we always want to improve our footwork and agility, and ability to move. Your GK coaches will have a variety of drills and exercises that incorporate footwork into catching and collecting shots and serves. Nowadays you see a myriad of cones, sticks and hurdles in and around the goal for GK training. The idea is for GKs to move their feet to get their hands to the ball. Diving used to be the "topic of chioce" for most GK training. But remember, diving is an emergency save. Diving comes into play when the speed of a shot or serve has overcome your ability to "run to the save". So, we used to spend an inordinate amount of time on diving. And most good GKs became good at diving-to the detriment of being able to move their feet. So, then working on footwork became "all the rage" for GK training. I recently had a discussion with Pat Johnston and Tony Pacella the Women's and Men's coaches at Univerity of the South in Sewanee, TN. They had asked why all the sudden attention to 'footwork'. "There are cones, there are ladders, there are sticks,.....why all the 'props', EV?" (I paraphrased there). My answer was, "Footwork has become the new 'diving' in GK training." In other words, footwork and it's related drills have become sort of the easy thing to train at for GKs. Understand: I am not saying that footwork is not important. It is a VITAL part of GKing; however, it is incumbent upon us as GK trainers to make sure we are training the GK in all facets of GKing. We cannot just concentrate on footwork and not give equal amounts of time to catching, distribution, crosses, serves, etc. The key challenge for a GK trainer is to make sure that all aspects of GKing are implemented in training sessions.
Here is one of my basic philosophies of GKing: Goalkeeper is a position of constant movement and adjustment with the most important aspect of the position is knowing when NOT to move. In other words, the GK needs to be able to determine the exact split second when to "set" his/her feet to then deal with the shot or serve. Watch any top level GK and they can all move their feet. They all have excellent footwork. But upon closer review, see how many times--when goals are scored-that these same top level 'keepers "drift" just a bit out of position immediately before the ball is struck, their angle to the ball is slightly incorrect, and a goal is scored. Instant replay, slow motion, and HD television make studying top level GKs a true luxury. You kids don't know how good you have it! Check it out.....next time you're watching the BPL, study the GKs when goals are scored. See if you can determine what mistakes may have been made that enable the ball to go in. Some balls are just hit too well for the GK to get to...so bear that in mind while your watching/studying.
Here is a little knownfact relating to footwork: In and around 1974, Sepp Maier the World Cup Champion GK for Germany was also a top ranked amateur tennis player in Germany. Maier attributed much of his quickness and ability to cover a lot of goal to his tennis "cross training". Tennis is a SUPERB training tool for GKs. The footwork on a tennis court is virtually identical to footwork in front of goal. Matter of fact, the area you have to cover on a tennis court-in short, quick, choppy, explosive steps--is about equal to the area in front of goal that you have to cover. Plus, tennis is a life-sport. You can't play soccer--and surely not GK--forever; and tennis offers a great way to stay in shape as you get older.
OK! So get out there and start hitting tennis balls! It'll help your game in Goal! Until then, may the ground beneath your dive be soft; may the opponents always shoot right at you; and may your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV
OK. So now pre-season trainings are underway. And as GKs, we always want to improve our footwork and agility, and ability to move. Your GK coaches will have a variety of drills and exercises that incorporate footwork into catching and collecting shots and serves. Nowadays you see a myriad of cones, sticks and hurdles in and around the goal for GK training. The idea is for GKs to move their feet to get their hands to the ball. Diving used to be the "topic of chioce" for most GK training. But remember, diving is an emergency save. Diving comes into play when the speed of a shot or serve has overcome your ability to "run to the save". So, we used to spend an inordinate amount of time on diving. And most good GKs became good at diving-to the detriment of being able to move their feet. So, then working on footwork became "all the rage" for GK training. I recently had a discussion with Pat Johnston and Tony Pacella the Women's and Men's coaches at Univerity of the South in Sewanee, TN. They had asked why all the sudden attention to 'footwork'. "There are cones, there are ladders, there are sticks,.....why all the 'props', EV?" (I paraphrased there). My answer was, "Footwork has become the new 'diving' in GK training." In other words, footwork and it's related drills have become sort of the easy thing to train at for GKs. Understand: I am not saying that footwork is not important. It is a VITAL part of GKing; however, it is incumbent upon us as GK trainers to make sure we are training the GK in all facets of GKing. We cannot just concentrate on footwork and not give equal amounts of time to catching, distribution, crosses, serves, etc. The key challenge for a GK trainer is to make sure that all aspects of GKing are implemented in training sessions.
Here is one of my basic philosophies of GKing: Goalkeeper is a position of constant movement and adjustment with the most important aspect of the position is knowing when NOT to move. In other words, the GK needs to be able to determine the exact split second when to "set" his/her feet to then deal with the shot or serve. Watch any top level GK and they can all move their feet. They all have excellent footwork. But upon closer review, see how many times--when goals are scored-that these same top level 'keepers "drift" just a bit out of position immediately before the ball is struck, their angle to the ball is slightly incorrect, and a goal is scored. Instant replay, slow motion, and HD television make studying top level GKs a true luxury. You kids don't know how good you have it! Check it out.....next time you're watching the BPL, study the GKs when goals are scored. See if you can determine what mistakes may have been made that enable the ball to go in. Some balls are just hit too well for the GK to get to...so bear that in mind while your watching/studying.
Here is a little knownfact relating to footwork: In and around 1974, Sepp Maier the World Cup Champion GK for Germany was also a top ranked amateur tennis player in Germany. Maier attributed much of his quickness and ability to cover a lot of goal to his tennis "cross training". Tennis is a SUPERB training tool for GKs. The footwork on a tennis court is virtually identical to footwork in front of goal. Matter of fact, the area you have to cover on a tennis court-in short, quick, choppy, explosive steps--is about equal to the area in front of goal that you have to cover. Plus, tennis is a life-sport. You can't play soccer--and surely not GK--forever; and tennis offers a great way to stay in shape as you get older.
OK! So get out there and start hitting tennis balls! It'll help your game in Goal! Until then, may the ground beneath your dive be soft; may the opponents always shoot right at you; and may your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV