By Wayne Henderson -
After every coaching session I always ask “how could my session have gone better?” After I have looked back at the content, my observations and reactions of the goalkeepers I often ask for MORE.
More time, more space, more goalkeepers or more equipment.
In this article I will address one of these requests and a solution I have used.
I appreciate that most coaches are not fortunate enough to have up to 3-4 hours per week with their goalkeeper(s). It is common that youth coaches especially are limited in the coaching minutes they have on the training field.
While working at a recent national camp for the best under 14s and under 15s in the country, it was decided to try something slightly different.
Off-field Coaching.
In other words, we gave the youth team Goalkeepers Homework sheets.
There are certain situations within the game that the goalkeeper can prepare for visually, without having to be on the training field. I have included a few of the examples that we adapted for our goalkeepers within this article. You can copy and use these or you can adapt them or devise your own if you prefer.
Theme 1 - Free Kick from Central Area
Coaching Points
- Set up the wall early
- Quickly assess how many players are needed in the wall
- Communicate with player number 2
- Always have 1 player beyond line of post
- Having too many players in the wall could result in the goalkeeper being out of position (example 2)
Goalkeepers Starting Position
- Not too far to one side
- Goalkeeper MUST see the ball
- Be slightly off you line
- Do not move until the ball is kicked
Theme 2 - Number of Wall Players for Free Kicks
Coaching Points
- Number of wall players depends on what area the free kick is around the 18 yard box
- More players are required for central area as the opposition have a bigger target of goal to aim for.
- Fewer players needed for wide area – smaller target and opposition are more likely to cross ball into box. As a result of this defenders are needed to mark opposition players in the 18 yard box.
- Too many players in the wall result in opposition players being unmarked in our penalty area.
By Wayne Henderson
