Improve Your Game

Over the years, in almost every kind of form, I've been asked what is the best thing a young goalkeeper can do? Should they take private lessons from a GK coach? Should they find a better club team? Do I have time to tell their kid some advice as I give them an autograph? Better schools? Better coaches? Less politics? I've heard all the justifications why a kid has not reached MLS yet.

I feel bad for the parent who has entered into an unknown realm which they have no knowledge of. I feel bad because I remember this feeling when I would try to date girls in college. A helpless, second guessing, collection of curiousity and ignorance all bundled up in a baseless confident facade which perpetuates the problem. I will address all of these concerns in the future, but right now, I want to address the young goalkeeper. (the concerns of parents and not my dating!! haha)

Without changing anything else in their routinue, all the young GK has to do to improve his/her game is to play with older children. The faster, stronger athletes who shoot the ball harder will help the younger goalkeeper improve reaction time, speed, hand eye coordination and their confidence, especially when they go back to playing with kids their own age. I think of my own experience, and I was lucky to find a group of European adults playing soccer at the same park I praciticed at. Each day after training I would sit in goal and get scored off of time and time again. After a few weeks, the goals were less and less, and after months, my game and expectations were increasing with every shot these guys were taking. On top of this, I would go out and try to find where the best players my age would practice. Every group of players needs goalkeepers and you will find a lot of goalkeepers will even want to play in the field when left to their own devices.

It is here that the young GK has to be proactive in reaching out to his teammates. Asking to be a part of something and inviting yourself to a training is always scary in some senses. (i'm talking about casual get together practices, and not team trainings) However, remember that most young players who go to practice on their own probably just want to shoot on goal. Having a goalkeeper there will help improve their game as much as it will yours.

If you are fortunate enough to find older players to play with, then keep in mind not to get too discouraged if success eludes you in the first few sessions. Remember the big picture. At every level, I have ever played at, there is always a period of adjustment. I have struggled to be as consistent as I want the first time I am introduced to a high level of soccer. It's OK. Even today, I still struggle the first few days of pre-season after a lenghty lay off. The key is to not be too hard on yourself and to stay motivated.

With this is mind, there does need to be a basic understanding of goalkeeping technique. Who should you trust to do this? Well stay tuned for my next blog and I'll let you know how to find the best goalkeeper coaches in your given area.

Until then, may the posts be with you!!!