Specific goalkeeper training is imperative for athletes to be able to keep up with the modern strategy and speed of the game. They have to be confident in themselves and their ability to adapt. As well as have the strength and endurance to stay in top form.
Goalkeepers are a special breed of athlete. They need to do anaerobic power work to strengthen their feet, legs, back, and shoulders. And aerobic fitness to develop coordination skills and agility that last 90 minutes or more.
So their goalkeeper coaches and mentors are vital members of a soccer team and culture. They help teach goalkeepers how to maneuver themselves to defend oncoming offensive attacks or set pieces. As athletes develop in goal, the focus intensifies on strong hand-eye coordination and quick feet. Preparing goalkeepers to defend any shot on goal.
As one of the key positions in soccer, keepers are often the last line of defense and the first to reset an attack. Almost an extension of a coach on the sideline. It is essential to develop strong keepers that can be relied upon to make the routine and tough saves look commonplace.
Goalkeeper training is a vast subject that could be hard to summarize succinctly, but here are some key takeaways from a great study to get you started:
Goalkeeper training for the modern athlete
Professional keepers are a unique athlete in sports. They have to make a lot of decisions, and they have to make them quickly.
According to a review of expert coaches, believe that four key skills are essential for performance in goalkeeping:
- decision making
- athleticism
- mentality
- technique
They all train these core skills in a similar way. A steady progression from simple to complex motor tasks. Where isolated technical training ranks above a holistic approach that integrates technique and perceptual-cognitive components (e.g., decision making).
The researchers found that head coaches should consider integrating technical and perceptual-cognitive components (flighted balls, field positions, shots taken, etc.) into their programs and overall athlete development.
