Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today's subject is based on a request by a subscriber who wanted to
know how to work on a tall keeper who has problems with low balls.
Also, there is a new search feature on the site, which SHOULD make it easier to find an article on
a particular subject. I am still just testing it so would appreciate it if you check it out and let
me know what you think. It's at
http://finesoccer.com/search_finesoccer.htm
The most frequently asked question I have received since starting FineSoccer is dealing with improving
communication. For those of you who don't subscribe to the FineSoccer Drills newsletter, you might want
to check out
http://finesoccer.com/finesoccer_drill_14.htm.
The second drill mentioned on that page is the best way I know to work on communication by a keeper.
Lastly, the next few weeks will be quite hectic for me with coaching courses and camps and things like
that (I try not to let real work interfere with any of this fun stuff). Some newsletters will be going
out later then normal or earlier then normal and for
that I will apologize in advance. One of the things that most field players don't seem to understand is that it's always easier save high balls then low balls (especially for tall keepers).
The first key to handling low balls is to always start with a good stance. It has gotten to the point where
when I watch keepers in training or in matches, it is rare for me to see them in a proper stance. Way too
many of them are standing completely upright thinking they are in a proper position to make a save. The
unwillingness or inability (actually it's only an unwillingness since most keepers are perfectly capable
of getting lower) of keepers to bend their knees more is mind-boggling.
I saw Tony Waiters (top keeper coach among other things) do a training session at the NSCAA coaching
course a few years ago and he put an incredible emphasis on maintaining a proper stance and keeping
your feet moving at all times. It reminded me of what an American football coach might due with the keepers
in lines and he would point in one direction and the keepers would move in that direction while maintaining
a good stance and then he would point in a different direction and they would change directions and go
wherever he pointed. After a minute or two they were exhausted and he reminded them that this is a position
you need to be in for a good portion of a match. Not only does it work on proper stance and footwork but
it's an excellent conditioning program as well.
Another way to work on getting down on low balls is to have a server play with the ball at her feet with the
keeper 5 yards away. The server is just making soft touches with the ball from the right foot to the left
foot and at any point, she can play the ball with either foot and try to slot in past the keeper. The
better the keeper, the shorter the distance. The objective of the server is to push the ball past the
keepers feet (either side) by playing it just hard enough that it's extremely difficult, but still
possible, to make the save. This can be done at full speed for a one-minute period and then there can be
a one-minute rest. This will encourage the keeper to stay low and to keep her feet moving as anytime
she gets caught flat footed, she will get beat.
