My dad still loves mimicking my youth soccer days when I would charge out tentatively, yet courageously yelling: “Keeper?” hoping my voice was some sort of homing device for the ball. As I reached my arms toward the sky, inevitably, I would get a glimpse of the ball sailing over my head.
It seemed to slow down and wink as it sailed by, almost mocking my valiant attempt at saving the game.
Occasionally, the ball would meet a flailing hand only to be redirected to some other place of danger.
My dad’s version of me playing in goal is hysterical to me now, but I remember how much trouble those high balls gave me. I now have to agree with Dad that catching one was more luck than anything else.
The last bulk of the NW Nationals training sessions have been focusing on catching flighted balls much earlier, higher and more often. Below are the KEY FACTORS that are good reminders of things that were covered. [Click here to download the complete drill and diagram]
Photos by Dale Garvey
It’s All About the Footwork
From the U-17 World Cup to NW Nationals
When the players I was coaching in last year’s World Cup were born, I was competing in the first ever Women’s World Cup in China. My experience was as one would imagine; an unforgettable chunk of time that I can remember as if it were yesterday.
The most important equipment for a goalkeeper is their gloves. It is vital that the keeper be well informed before making an investment when selecting the gloves....
In most cases, the purpose of a wall is to make it easier on the keeper to protect the goal from a direct on indirect shot. However it’s important for the keeper not to put so many people in the wall that it allows too many other options for the opponent....
Frequently when an opponent is taking a corner kick, an opponent will have a player stand right beside the keeper to try to beat the keeper to balls (ok let’s be honest here, the real reason frequently is to obstruct the keeper as well)...
Too often, the keeper gets the ball and kicks it aimlessly down field. Instead of just kicking the ball down field, there should be a plan as to how to work the ball out of the back or...
My dad still loves mimicking my youth soccer days when I would charge out tentatively, yet courageously yelling: “Keeper?” hoping my voice was some sort of homing device for the ball. As I reached my arms toward the sky, inevitably, I would get a glimpse of the ball sailing over my head.
Occasionally, the ball would meet a flailing hand only to be redirected to some other place of danger. 
