GOALMOUTH GOSSIP
Special mentions
Special mention to 16 year old Jim Fogarty, formerly of Urunga. Jim has just moved to Newcastle to take up his NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship. This gets Jim closer to the action in terms of National Selection and A-League opportunities. Jim is playing with Broadmeadow Magic in the Newcastle Premier League and continues to train with the Newcastle Jets (training with Ante Covic as well as Jets keeper coach ex-Kiwi international Clint Gosling has done wonders for Jim's game). Jim also trains under Sydney FC keeper coach, the great Jim Fraser, who rates young Jim very highly. Thanks for the memories Jimbo you don't need me anymore.
Jim is a wonderful talent who has risen through the North Coast Football Junior Development Program. We have not heard the last of him.
Special mention to Kelly Archibald who plays with the Urunga Raiders Women's First Grade Team and NCFs Zach Keating-Ware who have both been selected to the final stage of trials to represent Northern NSW at the National Titles in Coffs Harbour in July.
The Tigers' Brad Cruikshanks, Sawtell's Brendan Thorp, Urunga's Raffe Brennan & Burnsy from Woopi deserve a mention for breaking into their clubs first grade teams at an average age of about 16 and a half. Stitty from the Bombers & Josh Wiseman from the Lions ensure that the average age of first grade goalkeepers must be below 20 years of age. Go boys.
SSG is great for keepers
Small Sided games (SSG) is the new format for under 6's to under 12's currently being phased in around Australia.
In the Under 6s-8s there are no keepers. This is a good thing. Why?
1. At this introductory stage kids need to familiarise their feet with the ball. All players need these skills and this is the age where these skills develop.
2. A child 5-8 years should not be exposed to the situation of conceding a goal and feeling guilty about it.
3. Children of this age should not be asked to dive on grounds that are often hard and dry.
4. They should not be in the situation of going for the ball with their hands while other kids are trying to kick it.
5. Goalkeeping is confusing at the introductory stage as it goes against the main difference between our code and others - "you can't touch the ball with your hands".
6. Goalkeeping will be more exciting and attractive to kids as they graduate to under 9's.
In the Under 9's and up I have already noticed that...
1. like all players, keepers are far more involved.
2. They get to make more saves as there are more shots,
3. they are never too far from the action as the field is smaller.
4. If keepers are taught to 'play low' in a 'good set' they will save more than they will miss.
5. They will also spend more time in the alert 'set' position as the play is closer to them more often. This is great habit forming.
All of these factors increase the enjoyment and learning of young goalkeepers.
Goalkeeping For Coaches
I am finding that my role is as much about advocating the importance of goalkeepers and goalkeeper coaching as much as doing the coaching. My experience and strong belief is that the key to improvement is high repetition of the skill.
Of course this needs to be delivered in a variety of ways but essentially "practice makes permanent so you better practice it a lot and the right way".
The key influence here I believe is the Team Coach. Let me say I place high value on the role of the Team Coach in all football, junior football particularly. The team coach influences the environment of the team. If the team coach values and understands goalkeeping and the different needs of a goalkeeper, the team will value goalkeeping. It's easier to value something when you feel informed.
North Coast Football through it's Goalkeeping Program is offering an opportunity to gain some valuable information and tools that will make you a more complete Team Coach...
After running a couple of 'Goalkeeping For Team Coaches' sessions recently I am convinced that these sessions are a vital link in the work I am doing with clubs to improve the quality and appreciation of goalkeeping.
This is a different session to those that I run exclusively for keepers. While coaches and parents are welcome to watch these sessions, the new 2 (maybe 3) hour session is directed very much at the coaches/assistants/ parents. This is vital information that Team Coaches should know. It is a session not offered to all coaches in all associations so I highly recommend it (of course).
While attending a session with me a few times a year is helpful for your keepers, imagine the expedience of their learning if:
:: the basic repetitive motor skill movements are practiced regularly,
:: that their coach understands and values the different things they need to do and can advise them with confidence and assurance.
:: With this comes true involvement and improvement for the keeper, followed by confidence and enjoyment.
:: by the way, if it's an issue to you, you will also win more games if your keeper performs well. Think about it, what other position is somehow directly involved with every goal ever scored in the history of our great game? (except for ssg U6-8 which is a good thing)
If coaches and parents can gain some knowledge as well as skills and tools to impart that knowledge, young keepers will maintain better technique, enjoy better performance and achieve a higher level of satisfaction. They will also get injured less as good technique is safest technique.
A 10 page handout explaining technique and keeper drills that I demonstrate at the session, in the order that I run the session is available, it includes articles I have written or adapted on Communication for keepers and games you can run at training that meaningfully involve your keepers and the whole team - very easy to follow.
At this point I am wanting to gauge interest in this new program. If your club is interested and would like to discuss dates and fees or if you have any enquiries in regard to the NCF Goalkeeping Program please email me at: keepercurley@westnet.com.au
IMAGINE
by John Lennon
(his original version, he was a keeper - OR keepercurley's way edited version - not sure, one of the two)
Imagine there's no keepers
It's easy if you try
No one to makes the saves
No one to 'set & fly'
Imagine all the spectators
Bored out of their brain...
Imagine there's no coaches
who know what to do
Not able to teach their keeper
the things they need to do
Imagine all the coaches
Living in dream...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join me
And your keeper will be number one
Imagine no dropped crosses
I wonder if you can
No need for goalmouth scrambles
For woman and for man
Imagine all the keepers
Learning correct technique
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join me
And your keeper will be number one
Imagine no soft goals
I wonder if you can
Strikers that must earn
the goal they want so bad
Imagine all the spectators
on the edge of their seats
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join me
And your keeper will be number one
School Holiday 'Block Training'
Opportunities for 'block' training during school holidays.
(4 x 4 hour sessions Monday to Thursday as part of NCF's School Holiday Super Fast Feet Clinics).
Block training is very effective in learning and maintaining correct and safe techniques due to high repetition in a short time period.
Clinics will take place both at Toormina & Korora. There will be clinics for older and younger keepers, depending on demand. Please email keepercurley@westnet.com.au to enquire.
