New Albany High School
Girls Soccer Program
Keeper Handbook
2008
The keeper has a special and difficult job. For these reasons, I have created this
manual for prospective keepers in our program.
This manual is simply a start for all there is to learn about goalkeeping.
I want you to use the
Ball Handling Activities of
this manual as a supplement to the
Summer Conditioning in the Player / Parent handbook
.
The number one trait I want from a keeper is
CONFIDENCE
Confidence is
Self Belief
Knowing you can handle any situation
Not letting mistakes undermine your ability
Dwelling in the here and now, not the past
Self Belief
Table of Contents
1. Warm up and Stretching
2. Ball Handling Exercises
3. Fundamentals – Footwork, Movement, and Agility
4. Decision Making
5. Distribution
6. Supporting the Defense
Warm up and Stretching
Step 1 – Slow jog forwards, backwards and sideways – 4 min.
Stretch – Calves, hamstring, quads, hip flexors, lower back, shoulder, arms –
hold
For 20 seconds
Step 2 – Faster jog followed by changes of direction, high knees, heel flick, and
sidestep
Stretch – hold 20 sec.
Step 3 – Sprint 18 yds – out and back – zig-zag sprint 15 yds – sprint 44 yds
Stretch - hold 20 sec.
Ball Handling Exercises
You must be comfortable with the ball with both hands and feet. The more you
practice and handle the ball the more confidence you will build. Learn tricks with
the ball and be CONFIDENT that you are in control of the ball.
1. Keep the ball in the air using palms, back of hand, wrists and forearm. Try to use a
different surface on contact each time. Count how many times you can keep the ball
in the air with out dropping it.
2. Above the head – use fingertips to flip the ball continuously. Use a light touch and
keep the ball under control. Use both hands switch to one hand. Switch.
3. Same as 2 – but use fist. Keep track of times. Switch hands.
4. Figure eight ball between legs.
5. Toss ball back and forth from one hand to the other – quickly.
6. Bounce ball on ground with both hands and catch in “W” catch.
7. Throw ball as high as you can. Catch ball on a half volley before it gets to stomach
level.
8. Throw the ball in the air and smother it as it makes contact with the ground.
9. Tap ball with sole of alternating feet 20 times per foot. Kick ball forward – collect
with hands while ball is still moving – repeat.
These are just a few exercises you can do to become more comfortable handling the
ball.
This may change during the season.
I am always looking for new ways to train our Keepers.
Do NOT neglect your foot skills!!! Work on them as well!!!
(See Player Handbook)
Fundamentals – Footwork, Movement and Agility
Line up a series of 6 – 8 soccer balls with a ball space in between them.
1. Run over the balls
Light quick steps
Weight on balls of feet
2. Glide in and Out
Sidestep between the balls
Feet shoulder width apart
Stay on ground
Weight forward
3. Jump over Balls
Use a two foot hop
Jump correctly – do not land stiffed legged
Bend your knees
At first – perform exercises empty handed.
Next – perform exercise while handling a ball and performing exercises from the
Ball Handling Exercises section
Decision Making
You will be making a lot of decisions during the season. From taking on a breaking
away field player, dealing with corner kicks, to directing your defense. We will work
on specifics during
Summer Conditioning and our 10 Days on the Ball.
I want you to know this before the season.
GO WITH YOUR FIRST INSTINCT!!!!
DO NOT HESITATE – IF YOU MOVE TO COMMIT – COMMIT!!!!!
We will never be upset with an error – but we will be upset with a lack of conviction.
Be confident and good things will result
Distribution
We are going to discuss, as a team, where our goal kicks are going to be placed. We
will also discuss distribution from the keeper, playing back to the keeper, and the
keeper’s role in attack.
The keeper on the New Albany team will be actively involved in all aspects of the
game.
Throws
1
st – Warm up properly! Be sure to warm up
your arms!!!
All the exercises below will use these guidelines for accuracy.
I want accuracy!!
We will have options as to the where the ball will be distributed.
The keeper will make the choice.
Set up a 4 x 4 yard grid of cones. Set them up first – 10 yards away – second
15 yards – third 20 yards – fourth 30 yards – 40 yards – 50 yards
Place the cone grid 1
st -center of the field 2nd - the left touchline 3rd -
the right
touchline.
Every time you execute a throw or kick you will work on accuracy. Try to place the
ball in the cone grid. Keep track of success.
Start out with the short distance and work to the farther distances.
The Roll
o
Used for short distances
o
Keep ball on the ground
o
Get low and “bowl” the ball out
Javelin Throw
o
For slightly longer throws
o
Flick wrist on delivery and slice ball to keep bounce low
o
Should reach player below knee height
Overarm Throw
o
Long distances
o
Keep a fairly straight arm
o
Like an overhead bowling action
o
Accuracy
o
Into a players run is ideal
Goal Kicks
o
Use the cone grid pattern for your practice
o
Start out with a close target – build up to the farther targets
o
Keep head still and eye on ball
Supporting the Defense
Communication will be the key
The three C’s of good Communication
C - CLEAR
C - CONCISE
C - CONSISTENT
Here are the terms you will use to communicate with your defense.
When in Possession
When teammate is on ball and in our final third and HAS TIME
o
Time – head up!!
o
Time – Turn!!
o
Time – Take Away!!
When teammate has time and should switch fields
o
Time – switch!!
When teammate is under pressure
o
Man on
o
Clear
o
Man on – (call from where – right, left, behind, in
front
When keeper wants the person on the ball to play it back
o
Pass back!
o
Head it back!
When the keeper wants the ball
o
Keeper’s ball!!
o
Keeper’s - run through!! (for through ball)
When NOT in possession
When keeper wants defender to pressure the ball carrier
o
Go to the ball!! (closest goes)
o
Close down!!
Other defensive instructions – situational
o
Don’t let her turn No turn!
o
Show outside! (push ball carrier to touchline)
o
Step up!
o
Step back!
Keepers have a tough job.
It is the most demanding position on the field.
Especially when it comes to the mental aspects of goalkeeping.
We want you to know that we care about you as a person and player.
Mistakes are a part of the game and life.
Learning from them is what is important.
Have fun, work hard and above all
BE CONFIDENT
and GREAT things WILL happen!!
Prepared by:
Tony Macerollo
Varsity Girls Coach New Albany High School
amacerollo@new-albany.k12.oh.us
/ tmacerollo@earthlink.net
home 614.781.0299 / cell 614.562.4079 / work 614.413.8300 x5023
