Great article - I always have a session plan - but find it hard to come up with new things to coach.

I'm a GK coach, and work with an academy - not with a team. I have 6-8 keepers of varying ages / skill levels, that I always train.

Because I don't get to see my guys play on the weekends, I struggle to adjust training based on their deficiencies, as I have to work purely on feedback I get from the player themselves, or their parents (as well as training performance).

My training sessions usually use the following structure.

1. Warm Up - Consists of a small game 3 vs 3, something simple, getting hands / feet moving. Bouncing ball, waist passes etc.

2. Warm Up - Hand Eye Co-ordination - guys start throwing ball between each other / move on to drop kick etc.

3. Warm Up / Dynamic Stretching / Ball Manipulation - Jogging around square kicking a ball behind back, types of dynamic stretching. Lots of GK specific movements. Throw to one side and dive on ball after bounce etc.

4. Co-ordination drill - Hand-eye co-ordination. Players move around the box, keeping eye on each other etc. whilst bouncing ball. On whistle - Player spins 720o and catches ball before hits the ground etc.

5. Co-ordination drill - Footwork - Ladder / Navigation through cones. But always with a GK specific technique at the end, set position etc.

6. Main content of drill - GK specific drills focusing on key point for session.

7. Fun Game to finish session utilising the skill from the session.

8. Cool Down / Stretching.


What do you think about the FourFourTwo blog The MOST important thing?
I read with interest both Andy's latest blog and the feedback he was given and the main point is that as coaches, we are all unique. We all have our own style that we take with us. You may be the loca...

Have your say.

Edited by forbze: 4/11/2010 05:46:48 PM