Goalkeeper Curriculum & Testing Ohio Elite Soccer Academy Goalkeeper Curriculum & Testing By Dave Schureck Updated January 2013 Title Page

U9-U10 U9-U10 Age Groups will be introduced to the goalkeeping basics and the importance of technique to prevent injuries. Players in this age group should play no more than 1 half in goal. Goalkeeping training should only be attended when not in conflict with field practice.  Set Position: Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight forward on balls of feet. I also refer to it as GORILLA STANCE. Footwork: proper angles, quick feet, keep body low Catches: Scoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Contour Catch (Diamond or Circle Shape) Diving: Collapse dives (right/left side); heel to toe step; catching with THREE HANDS; 30 degree forward angles; front dives Distribution: Bowling, kicks and punts. The importance of maintaining possession Rules of the Game: back-pass, 6 seconds, Direct vs. Indirect kicks, etc Communication: proper terms and importance 

OESA U9-U10 Goalkeeping CRADLE CATCH SET POSITION FRONT DIVE COLLAPSE DIVE

U11-U13  U11-U13 Age Groups should be very comfortable with the techniques of scoop catch, cradle catch, contour catch, set position, collapse dives, front dives, bowling, and understand the major rules specific to goalkeepers. Communication and distribution will be heavily emphasized, as well as the techniques below. Goalkeepers at this age must develop strong verbal and leadership characteristics. There should be fewer “soft” goals given up in training and games. Set Position: Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight on balls of feet. I also refer to it as GORILLA STANCE. Catches: Scoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Contour Catch (Diamond or Circle Shape) Footwork: proper angles, quick feet, keep body low, cross-over steps Breakaways: Short step vs. long step, hands wide and pushed forward, weight forward, forward step into the collapse dive form, timing and explosion High Ball Save: Correct Footwork, jumping with both legs, arms bent, catching ball at 1 o’clock in diamond shape, box vs. catch, getting in line with the ball Deflections: crossover steps, turning for balls overhead, low hand vs. top hand, Distribution: pass-backs, punts, goal-kicks, bowl, baseball throw and sling Positioning: String attached to ball position; set pieces; depth in the 18; attacking support Leadership: when and how to communicate, organizing defense, how to train

OESA U11-U13 Goalkeeping COMMUNICATION HIGH BALLS BREAKAWAYS DISTRIBUTION

U14-U16 U14-U16 Age Groups should begin to start coaching their defense and organizing all defensive set pieces. GKs should be comfortable playing off their line and handling balls at feet. Majority of techniques should very good. Emphasis on having an ‘on field personality’ and strong leadership. Classroom sessions over winter on understanding defenses, how to organize set pieces, and leadership. Set Position: Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight on balls of feet. I also refer to it as GORILLA STANCE. Catches: Scoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Diamond Catch Footwork: proper angles, quick feet, keep body low, cross-over steps Breakaways: Short step vs. long step, hands wide and pushed forward, weight forward, forward step into the collapse dive form, timing and explosion High Ball Save: Correct Footwork, jumping with both legs, arms bent, catching ball at 1 o’clock in diamond shape, box vs. catch, getting in line with the ball Distribution: pass-backs, punts, goal-kicks, bowl, baseball throw and sling Positioning: String attached to ball position; set pieces; depth in the 18; attacking support Leadership: when and how to communicate, organizing defense, how to train High Ball Boxing: correct form on two hand and one hand punches, correct footwork to and from punch Deflections: crossover steps, turning for balls overhead, low hand vs. top hand, Power Dives: proper footwork, power step explosion, opposite driving leg across the body, two hands to the ball Leadership: coaching the defense, short memory, off field habits

OESA U14-U16 Goalkeeping POWER DIVES FOOTWORK LEADERSHIP DEFLECTIONS

U17 & Up U17 & Up will be comfortable with all techniques. Understanding tactics and moments of the game will be addressed during team training. Repetition and game-like situations will be emphasized. Continued classroom and film sessions. Set Position: Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight on balls of feet. I also refer to it as GORILLA STANCE. Catches: Scoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Contour Catch (Diamond or Circle Shape) Footwork: proper angles, quick feet, keep body low, cross-over steps Breakaways: Short step vs. long step, hands wide and pushed forward, weight forward, forward step into the collapse dive form, timing and explosion High Ball Save: Correct Footwork, jumping with both legs, arms bent, catching ball at 1 o’clock in diamond shape, box vs. catch, getting in line with the ball Distribution: pass-backs, punts, goal-kicks, bowl, baseball throw and sling Positioning: String attached to ball position; set pieces; depth in the 18; attacking support Leadership: when and how to communicate, organizing defense, how to train High Ball Boxing: correct form on two hand and one hand punches, correct footwork to and from punch Deflections: crossover steps, turning for balls overhead, low hand vs. top hand, Power Dives: proper footwork, power step explosion, opposite driving leg across the body, two hands to the ball Leadership: coaching the defense, short memory, off field habits Problem solver: using positioning and coaching to solve potentially dangerous attacks. Personality: positive attitude and tremendous confidence no matter the situation. Developing a ‘presence’ in goal.

Ohio Elite GK Testing GK Tests are designed to get a baseline for where the goalkeeper is in their development at the position. The tests are the same for all ages (8 to 18 years old). We do expect our goalkeepers to improve and/or maintain levels. As a goalkeeper progresses in the club, we will be able to see improvements in technique, physical fitness, and focus. GK Tests are not the determining factor for playing time or if the goalkeeper will be effective at the position. These tests do, however, show us who puts in the time and their level of commitment to learning and improving. That being said, all the top goalkeepers I have worked with over the years have had very successful testing by the time they were 16-17 years of age. PHYSICAL TESTS TECHNIQUE FOCUS Agility Left/Right Juggle Alternating Hand Box 20 Yard Sprint Bowl 2 Hand Box Push Ups Baseball /Side Sling Spider Sit Ups Sling Throw Ball Catch Punt/Dropkick/Side Volley Goalkick

Ohio Elite GK Test Description Alternating Hand Box: punch the ball in the air (alternating hands each time) consecutively – 1 minute 2 Hand Box: punch the ball in the air (with both hands) – 1 minute Spider: hold ball between legs with both hands in front. Move one hand behind leg then the other without letting ball hit ground. – 1 minute Ball Catch: Hold ball above head and behind. Drop ball, then catch it before it hits ground by putting hands between legs – 5 tries Juggle: juggle ball (feet only) consecutively – 1 minute Agility (Left/Right): start in middle of 10 yards. Run 5 yards left/right, back 10 yards, then back 5 yards to middle. - Timed Bowl: underhand roll the ball through a 4 yard goal from 15 yards. – 5 tries Baseball/Side Sling: baseball throw or side arm sling ball through a 4 yard goal from 25 yards. – 5 tries Sling Throw: overhand whip the ball through a 4 yard goal from 35 yards. – 5 tries Punt/Dropkick/Side Volley: punt ball into a 12x12 yard square from U9-U10:20 yds | U11-U13:35 yds | U14-U18:45 yards away. – 5 tries Goalkicks: strike a ball from ground into 12x12 yard square - U9-U10:20 yds | U11-U13:35 yds | U14-U18:45 yards away. – 5 tries 20 Yard Sprint: timed 20 yard run. – 2 tries Push –up: number of push-up in 1 minute. – chest to large cone Sit-up: number of sit-ups in 1 minute. – legs bent and feet held by partner; hand behind head or crossed on chest.

Ohio Elite Test Standards   BOYS GIRLS U11-13 U14-16 U16 up Agility Left/Right Minimum 5.65 5.00 4.50 5.20 4.90 Goal 5.45 4.10 4.65 Excellent <5.20 <4.25 <4.00 <4.40 <4.10 20 yard 3.65 3.30 3.10 3.75 3.70 3.60 3.45 3.20 2.90 3.55 3.40 <3.20 <2.90 <2.70 <3.25 <3.10 <3.00

Ohio Elite Tests Standards   BOYS GIRLS U11-13 U14-16 U16 up Push up 30 35 48 38 55 45+ 60+ 65+ Sit up 40 50 50+

Ohio Elite Test Standards   Alt Box 2 Hand Spider Ball Catch Juggle Bowl Baseball Sling Punt MINIMUM 25 80 1 4 GOAL 50 125 3 5 EXCELLENT 100+ 200+