Keepers

[eintracht.19]

After about 4 years off of playing, I decided to get back into keeping ( last year I just played up top ). Im gonna be a sophmore in high school and think I might have a shot at the starting spot for next season. There is another really good keeper my age also. I need some good training advice. Im out there almost everyday for 4 and 5 hours at a time training with my friends and it has really upped my game but I need to be at a varsity level.

[garethchelsea]

whats a sophomore and you need to do some reaction testing and some reaction training aldso you can do flexibility stuff as well as just playing that is one good way of getting better

[eintracht.19]

for all europeans, a sophmore would be a 10th grader, 2nd year in high school

[GKbenji]

Take a look at JB Goalkeeping (http://www.jbgoalkeeping.com). There are activities in the Training Sessions section.

[eintracht.19]

ill probly be out for at least 2 weeks with a left ring finger injury. im pissed

[bostonsoccermdl]

Dont neglect footwork drills.

In my opinion, quick feet is one of the most underated/neglected areas for a keeper..

[angryhugo]

Dont neglect footwork drills.

In my opinion, quick feet is one of the most underated/neglected areas for a keeper..

Amen. With good footwork, you should be able to make just about any save. Staying fit is a big thing for a keeper. Your body takes a lot of abuse, so time spent in the weight room will really pay off. Make sure to work everything: abs, shoulders, legs,...

JB Goalkeeping is a great site. Check out keeperstop.com, too. Also, watching a lot of professional games helps. Just seeing top-flight keepers and being able to emulate their form will help your game.

[garethchelsea]

for all europeans, a sophmore would be a 10th grader, 2nd year in high school

yeah cheers but its more year 12 then 12th grade because we do it in years not grades (doesn't really matter but anyway) hows your finger doing

[AlecW81]

ill probly be out for at least 2 weeks with a left ring finger injury. im pissed

Seriously? Doesn't sound like you're taking training too seriously. Man up. Tape your ring finger to your middle finger and keep at it.

If I halted my training because of every little minor injury, I'd be completely unfit.

[GKbenji]

Seriously? Doesn't sound like you're taking training too seriously. Man up. Tape your ring finger to your middle finger and keep at it.

If I halted my training because of every little minor injury, I'd be completely unfit.

But if you keep injuring yourself and never let things heal properly, or make them even worse, you can be crippled for life. Seriously. Some injuries need rest to heal.

If you are unsure (or even if you're not), any injury that is painful or swollen should be examined by a medical professional. They can give you the okay to tape it up and play, or recommend a course of treatment. Take your health seriously. You have a lot more in life to do than play soccer.

[bostonsoccermdl]

Seriously? Doesn't sound like you're taking training too seriously. Man up. Tape your ring finger to your middle finger and keep at it.

If I halted my training because of every little minor injury, I'd be completely unfit.


Because you arent training as effective as you could be.



To the original poster:

Work on flexibility, jumping exercises, situps, AND endless and intense FOOTWORK drills..

Also.. Even more important these days, play a bit in the field so you get used to the ball at your feet.. Practice goal kicks, punting drop kicking.. and passing to your defenders with some pressure on you..

Learn to settle the ball effectively when your defender passes a bad pass back to you so you arent flustered, etc

Plenty to work on!

ITS NOT ALL ABOUT THE HANDS

[AlecW81]

Now I'm reminded of why I switched to Rugby... too many pansies in American Soccer that let extremely minor "injuries" keep them off the pitch.

[GKbenji]

Now I'm reminded of why I switched to Rugby... too many pansies in American Soccer that let extremely minor "injuries" keep them off the pitch.

I never said his injury wasn't minor. I said get it checked by a physio to make sure. If you want to permanently cripple yourself, your choice. I take my health seriously... it's way more important than a game.

[bostonsoccermdl]

Now I'm reminded of why I switched to Rugby... too many pansies in American Soccer that let extremely minor "injuries" keep them off the pitch.

Sweet.

Dont let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

[eintracht.19]

i kept playing when it first happened but i couldnt make any saves hold or even roll the ball with that hand. its been wrapped to my pinky and i plan on getting back in goal when i get back from vaca in a week and a half. if there was any way i couldve played with this injury i wouldve, i had been playing with a bad shoulder for a while as well. it was hard to eat, drink, use the phone, hold my remote, open a door or anything with my hand after the first 5 days or so. the swelling and bruising has recently gone away and i can completley move it without any pain for the most part. thanks for all the advice, i may even start training this weekened before i leave.

[eintracht.19]

and btw it didnt keep me off the pitch i played on the field

[bostonsoccermdl]

and btw it didnt keep me off the pitch i played on the field


Playing on the field will make you a better GK IMO..

The hand reflexes, and touch come back within a few days or a week.

[eintracht.19]

i wonder if youtube could help me get scouted:D

[jmeek19]

My soon to be 9yr old has great footwork and skill with both his feet and loves to play goalie. Just wondering if I should continue to spilt his time in goal and on the field

[ranova]

....Man up. Tape your ring finger to your middle finger and keep at it....

This is a dead giveaway that you play rugby instead of soccer. Gloves are protective equipment (hopefully preventing finger injuries) which you can't wear if your fingers are taped together. Duh.