Today's topic is very simple. It's a bastardized version of the 5 P Rule (for those of you who don't know what that is, it's Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance). In this case, it stands for Proper PRACTICE Prevents Poor Performance. I see so many keepers not concentrate during training sessions and maybe make a save but not worry about doing it right every time. To use another cliché, remember that practice does not make perfect but rather, practice makes permanent. Keepers who make lazy kick saves in training will make that same lame attempt in a game because that is what you are conditioning yourself to do. Any keepers who have trained with me know that I start every training session the same way with an emphasis on the fundamentals. Some have commented how boring this is but then they should look at it from my perspective: I have seen those same drills every training session I have run for 17 years plus the time I actually spent as a keeper. The only reason I don't change is that it WORKS! Constant repetition of correct fundamentals is the way to pursue perfection.

A couple of examples of what I am referring to are the basic warm-up. If while having a catch, the keeper doesn't concentrate on catching the ball properly, getting both hands on the ball at the same time, getting their body behind the ball, watching the ball into their hands and finally pulling the ball in every time then they will not do these very basic things when they are put under pressure. Another example of developing good (or bad) habits is the way keepers prepare to dive. I watch so many keepers do drills where they are sitting down and the coach/trainer/idiot throws the ball over the keepers head and the keeper rolls on her back and catches it and then throws it back. What exactly is accomplished by this drill besides encouraging the keeper to dive backwards onto her back (a definite no-no) Why not encourage the keeper to do things the correct way and serve the ball to the side and force the keeper to catch the ball while coming forward to meet the ball. Is there a big difference in these two drills? It's easy to say no until you realize one is encouraging bad technique and the other is working on the correct technique.

As a keeper, it sometimes it is important to realize that many of the drills you are involved in with the rest of the team are not designed for you. Because of this, many keepers don't take them too seriously since they aren't expected/able to save a large percentage of the shots. The common solution that I see keepers choose is to make a halfhearted effort for balls without regard for the tremendous damage they are doing to themselves (as well as to the team but that is an entirely different subject). This is when it's important to realize that you are developing habits all the time, why not make them good habits?

So the moral of today's story is Proper Practice Prevents Poor Performance. Next weeks subject will be on how to create a good training session when you are the only keeper available (unless I decide to write about something totally different or someone suggests a different topic)

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Have a great week