Andy Quy Interview Blog

This week we talk to Andy Quy who began his career with Tottenham Hotspur on an YTS contract.  After failing to make the grade at Spurs Andy moved on to Derby County as a young professional and also spent time out on loan at Stalybridge Celtic. After another unsuccessful time at Grimsby Town he had short spells with Stevenage Borough and Kettering Town before finally finding regular football with Hereford United. However his career was cut short by injury and Andy retired and decided to take up coaching.

He began working with Derby County's and Aston Villa's Academy before working with the first team at Lincoln City. In 2007 he joined premiership side Stoke City as goalkeeping coach and now coaches established premiership goalkeepers Thomas Sorensen and Asmir Begovic.

You are currently coaching two very good premiership goalkeepers and internationals, in Thomas Sorensen and Asmir Begovic. Do you have a standard schedule for them both each week or does it vary depending on who they will be playing against?

Each week I try to cover all aspects of goalkeeping within the week. That is then prioritised by aspects identified for each individual keepers needs, along with strengths and weaknesses of the opposition for the next game.

Over the years do you feel the game has changed much for a goalkeeper and if so what effect does that have on coaching the goalkeepers you work with?

The need for the goalkeeper to be an outfield player has become more and more apparent. The keeper has become more recognised for starting attacks and a way of keeping possession as well as stopping goals. 70% of the keeper’s game is distribution.

Is there a big difference in the type of footballs used in the modern game and has that had an effect on how a goalkeeper goes about his / her job?

The type of balls being used, continue to change, but I believe the balls currently out there are about as good as they get.

Goalkeepers have had to adjust to the pace and movement of modern balls over the years and this is another major area that goalkeeping has changed.

Goalkeepers have had to change their positioning and how they make saves. It is not as easy to catch balls and therefore more balls are parried and deflected. Also the way in which balls are kicked has changed in terms of technique.

How would you prioritise the various different aspects of goalkeeping coaching?

I’d prioritise the different aspects of goalkeeping based on the age and experience of the players and their individual strengths and weakness. For young keepers all handling and diving techniques are a must, then to look at positioning and dealing with crosses. Alongside this all types of distribution must be worked on and to become comfortable with the ball at your feet. As players get older and more comfortable with handling techniques, crossing becomes a bigger part of the game and therefore time should be proportioned to this a lot more. Taking up good starting positions, lines of attack and catch/punch decisions are the 3 main areas to work on when doing this.

How would your coaching differ across the younger age ranges up to senior goalkeepers?

The pace and technical/tactical content would differ from the young ages upwards but ultimately your looking for the players of all ages to transfer what they learn with the goalkeeping coach into game situations and be effective in keeping the ball out of the goal.

Nowadays there are many different pieces of equipment that can be used when coaching goalkeepers such as ladders, poles, rebound nets, response balls (balls with lumps on that bounce differently to create reaction saves), what do you think about using this type of equipment?

All of these pieces of equipment have their place and when used correctly can help enhance performance. More importantly coaching needs to be specific and game related.

What is the most satisfying aspect of coaching goalkeepers, either at junior or senior level?

For me at all levels the most satisfying thing is to see a player take what you have taught them in training and execute it correctly in a game.

I would just like to personally thank Andy for taking the time out to answer my questions.

Watch this space for the next in the series of interviews coming up shortly................................