Spotting a Goalie - What should you look for?

1. Athlete - should be one of your best kids2. Quickness - looking for explosiveness3. Aggressiveness - look for the kid with a

nose for the ball4. Toughness - who can mentally handle it5. Leadership - do other players respond to

them6. Communication - are they a vocal player7. Stickwork - should be one of your best

handlers

What’s the #1 thing you can do to increase Goalie retention?

Keep them involved in every drill! Goalies are field players too! Don’t just leave them in cage to get rocked all practice!

Where to start?

1. StickA. create a good pocket; loosen pocket

from sidewall strings2. Helmet - proper fit; mounted throat

protector3. Other equipment - close fitting, minimal

bulk possible (ie - no softball leg guards)

Stance

1. Athletic positionA. Feet shoulder width; balls of feetB. Slight flex in the kneesC. Shoulders backD. Arms up and outE. Hands 12-16” apart; top hand on

throat of stick and bottom hand at middle of shaft

Stance

Stepping to ball1. Draw line down middle of body

A. Shots to right side, step with right footB. Shots to left side, step with left footC. Always lead with hands - head and body

follow2. Down the line - the most important drill for

your beginning goalieA. HighB. MidC. Low

1. Head and shoulders over ball - shooter should see top of helmet

2. Should be able to stand up into “Ready” position

Individual Drills

* Use tennis balls with beginning GK’s *

1. Down the line - no stick - emphasizes hands to ball

2. Down the line - boy’s field stick

3. Rebound off wall

4. Close eyes - open when you say “shot”

GK’s need quality reps from coaches!

Don’t rely on your players to warm up GK’s. You must CONTROL the shots!

Team Drills

* Use cones to control where players shoot from *

* Limit GK reps in drills with lots of shots *

1. 1 v 1’s, 2 v 2’s, 3 v 3’s (US Double Drill)

A. Use GK as attacker & defender too

2. 8 meters

3. Transition (man up, down, even)

4. Settled

5. Clears (Greatest Drill Ever)

A. Bring GK out of crease

6. Ride

A. Use GK as a defender out of crease

Other things for GK’s to do when not facing shots

1. Jump Rope - one of the single best things for a GK

2. Fast feet / Ladder

3. Juggle

4. Wall ball

5. Clear to trash can (How many can the make in 5 mins)

6. Be a feeder in team drills

7. Play offense and defense in drills