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

2. 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 

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

4. 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

5. OESA U11-U13 Goalkeeping COMMUNICATION HIGH BALLS BREAKAWAYS
DISTRIBUTION

6. 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

7. OESA U14-U16 Goalkeeping
POWER DIVES
FOOTWORK
LEADERSHIP
DEFLECTIONS

8. 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.

9. 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 years of age.
PHYSICAL TESTS TECHNIQUE FOCUS
Agility Left/Right Juggle Alternating Hand Box
20 Yard Sprint Bowl Hand Box
Push Ups Baseball /Side Sling Spider
Sit Ups Sling Throw Ball Catch
Punt/Dropkick/Side Volley
Goalkick

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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+

13. 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+