Guest Article - Goal Kicks
When coaching young goalkeepers, one area of the game that they often find hard is that of kicking, especially goal kicks.
I have spoken about the importance of distribution for the modern day goalkeeper and you can find more about this by clicking on the "About Us" tab and then going to "Goalkeeping Information".
Through the social media that is Twitter I often talk to many different goalkeeping coaches across the country and beyond and many issues we discuss. One such goalkeeping coach is Jamie Wiseman who works in the Eastleigh area, you can see more on Jamie on his website http://jw-goalkeeper-coaching.co.uk
I would just like to share with you a great article Jamie has done on the topic of goal-kicks and thank Jamie for allowing me to share his article on my website:
Goal Kick’s
On getting around coaching in the last few weeks I am so disappointed to be told that some goalkeepers are still not being allowed to take their own goal kicks.
This is the tired old attitude of coaches / managers out of touch and “in it for themselves” not the development of the goalkeeper.
Can anyone tell me how far Joe Hart kicked the ball at 10 years of age? No, because it doesn’t matter. What matters is the fact he was allowed to develop, practise and try it out in a game scenario. This is why his kicking now, is so accurate.
If you are a goalkeeper who is being prevented from taking your goal kicks ask your manager these questions:
1) If I were weak at crosses, would you put someone else in goal for corners?
2) If I need development with my goal kicks, what coaching or training can you provide me with to improve this area, and when can I take this practise into a game situation?
3) How many goals have we conceded because of my goal kick not going as far as the “big lads”? If the answer is none – what is this actually achieving?
The philosophy of so many managers is the biggest player who can kick the furthest should take the goal kick. WHY? What does this actually achieve?
The long ball game, kick and rush with little to no development of the other players and goalkeeper.
Any manager / Coach working with young players should be setting the environment for them to learn and develop. Taking the practise into a live game scenario is an absolute essential part of the goalkeeper’s development.
There are many ways to assist a goal keeper in improving, not just their kicking but their distribution as a whole.
I like to see all goalkeepers taking their own goal kicks regardless of their ability to “punt it long”. By working on your technique, mind set and routine, will assist your kicking as your body naturally develops and gets stronger. Not only will you then be able to kick the ball long if desired, you will have the technical ability to keep the ball accurate. It’s accuracy that counts, not the distance.
I usually coach my goalkeepers some basic principles:
1) Try and create a slightly raised area of pitch (sometimes difficult with some of today’s pitches)
2) Place the ball down so your target area of the ball (Valve, marking etc) is facing you, just below the centre of the ball.
3) Place your standing foot along side the ball (approx 1 ft to the side and then 1ft back). Then measure 4 – 6 long strides back.
4) Pick the area of the pitch you want to find by looking at it and visualising yourself kicking the ball
5) Take 2 deep breaths and relax your body
6) Now focus solely on the target area of the ball, ensure you plant your support foot accurately, strike your target area of the ball (with confidence) with the laces of your boot, ensure you kick right through the ball and follow through.
7) Practise, practise, practise, practise
If your manager continues to encourage the “big lad” to take the kicks, provide them with this article for reference and their own coaching development.
All goal keeper job’s, should be done by the goalkeeper.