Goalkeeper profiles: Iker Casillas, Real Madrid

In my previous goalkeeper profiles I’ve concentrated on keepers who are perhaps not world-renowned but are respected in their respective leagues. I’ve decided to buck that trend and pay homage to perhaps the world’s best custodian – Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas. Read more

Exclusive video: Build explosive goalkeeping power with the dumbbell swing!

Keeper’s Skool’s resident goalkeeper strength and conditioning expert  Mark Williams (Williams Soccer Performance Systems, LLC) cooked up a neat video from a recent session with his client Jon Conway of New York Red Bull (MLS). This unique and exclusive drill is called the dumbbell swing, and Mark goes into some detail on how it can help blow up your explosive power and strength. To access this exclusive video, you have to be a member of Keeper Skool Certified, so sign up today!

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Goalkeeper Profiles: Shay Given, Manchester City

Manchester City keeper Shay Given has been at the top of his game for over a decade now and personally I would say he is one of the most consistent goalkeepers I have ever seen. Given rarely makes mistakes and if he does, it’s usually a safe football bet that he will make amends with a wonder save and the City shot-stopper is a hard man to beat. Read more

How to maximize pre-season training performance

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Keeper Skool Interviews James Hollman; Ipswich Town Goalkeeper Coach

Keeper Skool recently had the chance to chat with current Ipswich Town goalkeeping coach James Hollman, whom recently came full circle by joining the very same club from which he launched his professional career in 1994. James was directly responsible for the development of goalkeepers such as Robert Green of West Ham United, during his 7 year tenure as senior goalkeeping coach of Norwich City. Whilst under coach Hollman’s tuition, Green received a full international cap and it was James whom influenced current Norwich City goalkeeper David Marshall to leave Celtic for a career with The Canaries. Read more

Keeper Skool Interviews Mark Williams; Williams Soccer Performance Systems LLC

Mark Williams is no stranger to the fine art of goalkeeping, having played at the college level (in the USA) with Montclair State University, winning all conference honors for his performances between the sticks. Mark took his experiences as a goalkeeper at the collegiate level and utilized it to develop some of the biggest names in goalkeeping as a strength and conditioning coach (Williams Soccer Performance Systems LLC) for the likes of Tim Howard (Manchester United & Everton), Keeper Skool’s good friend Tony Meola, Karina Leblanc of the Canadian Women’s National Team and LA Sol of the newly created WPS League, and Jon Conway of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bull. Read more

Keeper Skool Interviews Nick Sakiewicz; Philadelphia MLS 2010

Nick Sakiewicz is no stranger to the fine art of goalkeeping. Apart from being the CEO & Operating Partner of Keystone Sports & Entertainment, LLC, the ownership group of the Philadelphia Major League Soccer expansion team which launches play in 2010, Nick was also a very talented goalkeeper growing up. At the University of New Haven where he was recruited by legendary coach, Dr. Joe Machnik, Nick gained All-New England honors in 1980-82 and NCAA Division II All-American honors in 1981 and 1982. To this day, Nick still holds every major goalkeeping record at the University of New Haven. After graduation and since there was no premier professional league in the US, Nick decided to head straight to Europe to consolidate his goalkeeping ability playing for the likes of F.C. Nantes in the French First Division in 1982. He then played for Dr. Machnik with the New York Arrows of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) during the 1983 season and then with F.C. Belenenses of the Portuguese First Division the following year. He later played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the APSL during the 1989 season. Read more

Drills to help enhance your distribution from the Australian Matilda’s!

Keeper Skool’s Robert Matosevic recently had the chance to train the goalkeepers of the Australian Matilda’s squad (Australian Women’s National Football Team). One of the highlights of the sessions with goalkeepers such as Melissa Barbieri were some exciting distribution drills that Robert worked on alongside the Matilda’s goalkeeper trainer Paul Jones. Robert discusses the drill in more detail… Read more

Drill to help master the cross and determine range

An extremely important facet of the goalkeepers game is handling a cross into the goal area. Many of the European coaches I had the chance to work with always put an emphasis on mastering the cross, especially in the English game. You see many so called “complete” goalkeepers (and they are in many aspect of their game), mess up during a crossing scenario.

Having the confidence and the physical prowess to attack the ball effectively during a crossing scenario takes a lot of repetitive work that should be game focused. Following is another fantastic drill from John Murphy’s book The Full Season Goalkeeper Training Program, provided by our partners World Class Coaching. The drill focuses on helping the goalkeeper judge their crosses effectively and also determine range within their 18 yard box.

Start with a keeper in a regular goal and another keeper in a goal 2 yards outside the 18. There should also be a line of cones (flat cones preferred) across the 18 yard box 10 yards out. Also, there is a server on each side line with balls.

The keepers must start on their goal line and one server starts by serving a high lofted ball into the box around 10 yards out.

If the ball is player closer to the regular goal (as was shown in the diagram above) the keeper in that goal would go and win the ball. If the ball is played closer to the other goal (as is shown in the diagram below) that keeper would go and win the ball.

If the ball is served down the middle, both keepers can go and win the ball and would “fight” for the ball, staying within the laws of soccer.

This activity forces the keepers to read the ball early, expand their range and work on competing with an opponent to win balls.

Servers would come from each side and depending upon the age and abilities of the keeper, the goals can be moved closer together or moved further apart.

This is a fun activity (most keepers enjoy competing with other keepers) and works on skills that are often neglected by keepers (and coaches).

To purchase The Full Season Goalkeeper Training Program (Copyright: World Class Coaching) for just $55.90 please click on the button below and add it to the Keeper Skool secure shopping cart. Please Note: The below price covers shipping and handling for international orders inside & outside of the US. Also, shipping is provided by the US Postal Service and can take 2-5 weeks to ship to your destination, possibly longer for international orders.

Goalkeeper Profiles: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers’ goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is one of the most respected custodians in the Premier League and has been for around the last five years. He began his career at MP Mikkeli in his native Finland and became the club’s first choice keeper in 1994 at just 19-years-old. He moved to Finnish First Division side VPS Vaasa in 1996 before moving to Bolton Wanderers in 1997. Read more