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RE: Goalkeeping tips for U7

simon Fryer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:14:31 GMT

I played in goal from a young age, you dont need to train any 1 person in goal. I find that it is good to give everyone a chance to play in goal. and this is the main reason. If a player gets to a certain age and has never played in goal, how are they supposed to know what a goalkeeper is going to do. for a defender, how are they supposed to know when to help the keeper out or when to leave the ball for the keeper, for the forward, how are they to work out when the keeper is going to be, thus avoid shooting directly at them. They need to experience what it is like to be a keeper. at 7 I would avoid diving and coming out to players feet, as they keeper really has to have the confidence with that. stopping balls along the floor, by going down on 1 knee, and keeping your body behind the ball, also basic catching making sure that the hands are behind the ball, rather than trying to catch the ball with the hands on the side of the ball. the other thing to teach them is catching the ball and pulling the ball into the chest/stomach area so the ball doest slip out of their hands. I have an under 8 team, and my keeper comes out to players feet, tries to catch high balls, and dives around alot, but he did that by himself, with no training from me, so, he is now ready for me to coach him, prperly so he is safe. but unless someone shows that confidence on their own i wouldnt teach them anything like that untill they start playing at u10 level

RE: Goalkeeping tips for U7

lyazge — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:41:50 GMT

Oh! I just reread the last post again... the poster said...

"How to catch a ground ball or use their hands properly just one or two points to protect themselves"

Herein lies the problem, since I've never played I don't know "how to catch a ground ball" or "use my hands properly" so I can't teach it.

But I'm reading everything I can find and doing my best!

Coach Laura :)

RE: Goalkeeping tips for U7

lyazge — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:38:18 GMT

U7, 6v6 w/goalies is the GA Soccer standard and SO much better than what our league was playing last year before they aligned with GA Soccer -- 8v8 w/goalies!!

Anyway, these are great tips. Thanks so much to everyone for the discussion and advice!

Coach Laura :)

RE: Goalkeeping tips for U7

ptmolstyle — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:14:45 GMT

I'm surprised to hear of an organization having 6v6 with keepers at U7. But, like most of the responses I also believe the rotation approach is the best method. Start at practice finding out who fits. For example, while teaching a shooting drill after a shot instead of the girl running back in line and socializing her way to the front again have her shoot. Hit or miss she takes her place in goal for the next shot then, she rejoins the line. At first just let them do what they think is best. With this approach you don't even have to tell them your looking for a keeper, it's just part of the drill. Take a water break and come back and teach them all 10-15 minutes of basics. How to catch a ground ball or use their hands properly just one or two points to protect themselves and run the drill again. At this age goals will happen so praise the great save but don't emphasize it or diving. Praise every attempt. Start to teach them that positioning is the most important skill of a goalkeeper. I've trained a number of keepers and the ones that understand positioning as they get older excel. As the season progresses teach them a new skill each week. Always combine it with another drill your doing. At U7 you won't have the time to have a full GK training session. Find the local high school girls team keeper or an older girl in your league that knows the position. U7 girls will eat it up and love learning from an older player they can look up to.

RE: Goalkeeping tips for U7

lyazge — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:35:58 GMT

Scott - I had been typing in searches, but never quite the wording you used so I wasn't getting good results. I found a couple of good places to start. Thanks.

Laura :)

RE: Goalkeeping tips for U7

dufeu58 — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:37:23 GMT

Coach Laura,

Stay ahead of the learning curve by going on line and typing in "Coaching youth goalkeepers". You will find all sorts of drills. You can also buy a video, DVD, or book on coaching youth keepers that are great. Remember to try to train your keepers with the team as often as possible, and since you are rotating the keepers, have the whole team do the keepers drill, even if some of them don't want to play in goal. There are lots of easy drills that they can do. Just setting up two cones about 10 feet apart and having players try to roll the ball past the other player in the goal is good at that age. Remember most shots will be on the ground from younger children. The do the same with players standing about 10 feet apart and kicking it towards the GK (working in 2's).

Let me know if you need sites.
Scott

RE: Goalkeeping tips for U7

lyazge — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:05:31 GMT

While I appreciate your opinions on goalkeeper rotation since this is the first year we are playing with goalies I will give everyone a chance to play that requests it. I think it benefits all the girls to understand how tough that job is, even if they never play goalie again. I suspect that within a year or two I'll be settling into 2-3 regular goalies, but for now I want to give them all a chance to experience the position and learn.

But my original question was more about how do I use practice time to get my new GKs ready. What is a good method for showing a girl how to catch a rolling ball (head-on or at an angle)...

I never played soccer myself so I'm trying to keep ahead of the learning curve by participating in forums like this one and getting my state certifications.

Laura :)

RE: Goalkeeping tips for U7

CoachBobby — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:16:22 GMT

[quote][b]karlmort (28/08/2009)[/b][hr]i support the rotation apporach. it will develop the football understanding. eg what should the defender do when their goalie has the ball? which options do the keeper have - throwing short to defender, throwing og kicking long to midfielder etc.

but only let those who WANT to be a goalie rotate. don't push it.

in our 9 yrs old girls team (25 players, 3 teams - 5v5 including goalie) about 50% of the girls rotate on the goalie position. and all of these 50% have become pretty good at it.

goalies should be playing in other positions to get football understanding. we see that very well in our boys 13 teams. 2-3 of them has been "just a goalie" since they were 10 and they lack some football understanding when it comes to making choices. when to box, positioning, when to rush out of the goal.

that's just my 5 cent :)

Karl (norway)[/quote]

I agree with not limiting a player to just being a "goalie" until about u12 (u10 at earliest). Young kids absolutely need field skills and an understanding of each position if just to understand what an opposing team is doing when he is in goal.

50% of a team rotating into goal, I don't agree with and as far as who WANTS to play goal, I guarentee if you ask your u7 girls who wants to play goalie, they will all say, "ME ME ME"! The reason is that most of them are smart and know that goalies don't have to run. What they don't understand is the psychological impact and toughness a goalie needs. Let me ask you this.....Who is the first person most all people blame when they are scored on? The GOALIE! A goalie needs the mental toughness to not take things personally. Plus a goalie is the CAPTAIN of the defense. He has to shout orders to his defense. He has to be LOUD. It is his responsibility to control and adjust what his defense does, especially during set pieces. How many of your kids do you thing possess this attitude? 50%? I don't think so.

RE: Goalkeeping tips for U7

karlmort — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:19:40 GMT

i support the rotation apporach. it will develop the football understanding. eg what should the defender do when their goalie has the ball? which options do the keeper have - throwing short to defender, throwing og kicking long to midfielder etc.

but only let those who WANT to be a goalie rotate. don't push it.

in our 9 yrs old girls team (25 players, 3 teams - 5v5 including goalie) about 50% of the girls rotate on the goalie position. and all of these 50% have become pretty good at it.

goalies should be playing in other positions to get football understanding. we see that very well in our boys 13 teams. 2-3 of them has been "just a goalie" since they were 10 and they lack some football understanding when it comes to making choices. when to box, positioning, when to rush out of the goal.

that's just my 5 cent :)

Karl (norway)

RE: Goalkeeping tips for U7

CoachBobby — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:52:39 GMT

[quote][b]lyazge (27/08/2009)[/b][hr]Our U7 girls team is moving from 3v3 to 6v6 w/goalies. I'm looking for some tips on what to teach these girls [b](I have to give them all a chance to play goalie)[/b]. I know that some coaches teach for players to get down on both knees, others teach a one knee kneel with the body at an angle. So, how do I introduce the concept of goalkeeping to U7s?

Coach Laura[/quote]

Why is that? I would NEVER put each girl in goal. I developed two girls who I thought would be best for that position and who either liked or didn't mind spending a quarter in goal.

I think it is dangerous to put anyone in goal who isn't trained at the position. I have seen many other coaches taking this "rotational approach" and suffer dire consequences for it. I have seen girls kicked in the head, broken hands, ribs, etc. All of this was from rotating everyone in goal.

Train 2-3 goals with the proper form.

Goalkeeping tips for U7

lyazge — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:42:59 GMT

Our U7 girls team is moving from 3v3 to 6v6 w/goalies. I'm looking for some tips on what to teach these girls (I have to give them all a chance to play goalie). I know that some coaches teach for players to get down on both knees, others teach a one knee kneel with the body at an angle. So, how do I introduce the concept of goalkeeping to U7s?

Coach Laura