So, I've been busy with pre-season training over at University of the South in Sewanee TN. During my training of Men's and Women's programs GKs, I always instill my 4 GK Rules. I use these rules while training--for GKs of all ages--and I'll share the rules and reasons with you.
1. Gloves are always on. In other words, once you put your gloves on, they don't come off. this rule is courtesy of Mark Dodd (great GK!) who I coached when he was at Duke U. Back in the day, Mark wasn't keen on a lot of GK drills. And in the NC heat and humidity, who could blame him? But Mark would remove his gloves after almost every drill, and then would take FOREVER to put his gloves back on. I mean FOR-EV-ER (like in 'The Sandlot'), FOR-EV-ER! So, I instituted the "gloves on" rule. You don't take your gloves off during training. Of course, if you need to adjust the tie in the waistband of your shorts, or tie your shoes, you can take your gloves off (but in a Game, you'd have one of your defenders do that); but other than that-gloves stay on. JUST LIKE IN A GAME.
2. NO leaning on the post. If you are the GK who is not working in goal--DO NOT lean on the post, don't hang on the nets, hold yourself up. The goal doesn't lean on you......you don't lean on the goal. Simple discipline.
3. NO walking. Jog everywhere. No GK Coach wants GKs that walk around in training. Be sharp. Work hard. Stay alert. Don't walk. Hop into goal, do the drill, and hop out! This is just good discipline as well. Plus, it helps keep the GKs alert.
4. Most Important--Always 'call' your serve. In other words, each time you put the ball into motion.....throw, kick, bowl, serve....anytime you serve the ball-CALL it. Why? It helps build confidence, and it helps you learn to communicate while in goal. Too often, GKs are WAY too quiet in goal. It's perfectly OK to be a quiet, shy person off of the field.....but when you are in goal, you have to be IN CHARGE. You have to be able to direct your defenders, call 'Keeper!" when coming for a cross, let midfielders know when an opponenet is making a 'blind-side' run behind them, and set up the defensive wall on opposition set pieces. Calling your serve helps you get used to talking in goal--with a loud, even, 'command voice'--which is VITAL for a GK.
So, there you go. 4 simple rules that have a reason. You can use them or not. You can share these with your GK trainer and they are free to use them or not. But I have found over my coaching career that these 4 simple rules help young GKs concentrate during training which pays huge dividends during matches. A confident GK is a good GK. Give these 4 rules a try next time--and every time--you train. Good luck!
And, may the ground beneath your dive be soft; may the other strikers shoot right at you; and may your goalposts be 3 feet wide!
All the Best-EV
1. Gloves are always on. In other words, once you put your gloves on, they don't come off. this rule is courtesy of Mark Dodd (great GK!) who I coached when he was at Duke U. Back in the day, Mark wasn't keen on a lot of GK drills. And in the NC heat and humidity, who could blame him? But Mark would remove his gloves after almost every drill, and then would take FOREVER to put his gloves back on. I mean FOR-EV-ER (like in 'The Sandlot'), FOR-EV-ER! So, I instituted the "gloves on" rule. You don't take your gloves off during training. Of course, if you need to adjust the tie in the waistband of your shorts, or tie your shoes, you can take your gloves off (but in a Game, you'd have one of your defenders do that); but other than that-gloves stay on. JUST LIKE IN A GAME.
2. NO leaning on the post. If you are the GK who is not working in goal--DO NOT lean on the post, don't hang on the nets, hold yourself up. The goal doesn't lean on you......you don't lean on the goal. Simple discipline.
3. NO walking. Jog everywhere. No GK Coach wants GKs that walk around in training. Be sharp. Work hard. Stay alert. Don't walk. Hop into goal, do the drill, and hop out! This is just good discipline as well. Plus, it helps keep the GKs alert.
4. Most Important--Always 'call' your serve. In other words, each time you put the ball into motion.....throw, kick, bowl, serve....anytime you serve the ball-CALL it. Why? It helps build confidence, and it helps you learn to communicate while in goal. Too often, GKs are WAY too quiet in goal. It's perfectly OK to be a quiet, shy person off of the field.....but when you are in goal, you have to be IN CHARGE. You have to be able to direct your defenders, call 'Keeper!" when coming for a cross, let midfielders know when an opponenet is making a 'blind-side' run behind them, and set up the defensive wall on opposition set pieces. Calling your serve helps you get used to talking in goal--with a loud, even, 'command voice'--which is VITAL for a GK.
So, there you go. 4 simple rules that have a reason. You can use them or not. You can share these with your GK trainer and they are free to use them or not. But I have found over my coaching career that these 4 simple rules help young GKs concentrate during training which pays huge dividends during matches. A confident GK is a good GK. Give these 4 rules a try next time--and every time--you train. Good luck!
And, may the ground beneath your dive be soft; may the other strikers shoot right at you; and may your goalposts be 3 feet wide!
All the Best-EV