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Simon Smith, England Youth Goalkeeper Coach
Positive reinforcement
When I'm working with the very youngest goalkeepers in the 5-11 age-group I'll try to positively reinforce correct technique to help build players’ confi dence. If a young goalkeeper hasn’t managed to make the save but has done everything right in terms of technique it is crucial to praise the good technique.
I’ll say: “You have moved your feet well, you are in the right shape and your hands are in the right position. When you get physically stronger you’ll save it.” It is my way of hopefully encouraging them and keeping them confi dent and enjoying what they are doing.
Strengthen basic technique
It is important to give the players the broad base of goalkeeping principles because, like riding a bike or driving a car, the core principles don’t change. As the players get older and become stronger and quicker there will be physical and psychological changes, but the actual technical principles of goalkeeping don’t change.
Safety fi rst
Teaching young goalkeepers the correct techniques is linked to safety. When you are asking an 8 year-old to play in goal there are certain aspects of the game they need to be confi dent about in themselves.
If one of the outfi eld players hits the ball particularly hard they need to know that they are quite comfortable in dealing with what is coming towards them. Preparing the hands early and watching the ball into hands are both technical safety features.
Understanding the game
We have produced some technically strong English goalkeepers but we also need to produce excellent game players as well.
Incorporating the goalkeeper into outfi eld practice is becoming a key area in training sessions. But it is important to consider the right time to move young goalkeepers into the team environment.
Outfi eld players will expect the goalkeeper to be communicating and organising which is diffi cult to do if the goalkeeper is still concentrating on catching the ball. Basic techniques must be habitual before they make the transition.
Mark Mason started his goalkeeper coaching career at Southend United Centre of Excellence. He moved to Portsmouth four years later to lead on their Academy Goalkeeping Programme, and then joined Brighton and Hove Albion as Head of Goalkeeping to their Academy Programme.
He is an FA Goalkeeping B Licence Coach and is currently completing The FA Advanced Youth Award Goalkeeping Course. Mark has also recently coached at The FA Goalkeeper Development Camps, which bring together what are considered to be some of the best young goalkeepers in the country.
Jack Robinson is currently the Manchester United Academy Goalkeeper Coach, where he has worked with the club’s youth goalkeepers for nearly four years. He is currently in the process of completing The FA Advanced Youth Award (Goalkeeping). On a daily basis Jack has had the opportunity to work with several of the club goalkeepers who have been part of the England youth/ junior squads.
Leanne Hall has served her country both as a goalkeeper and a goalkeeper coach. As a player Leanne won 24 caps for England, and now as a coach she is the only female in the country to hold both the UEFA A Coaching Licence and The FA Goalkeeping Coaching A Licence. Leanne was previously Head of Goalkeeping at Sheffi eld United Academy before she left to join The FA, working with the England Youth International and Development Squads, and leading on the Goalkeeping Foundation Programme for the Centre of Excellences. Leanne was named FA Elite Women's Coach Developer in July.
Simon Smith has been The FA National Youth Goalkeeper Coach for four years and was previously a senior goalkeeper coach at Newcastle United with Sir Bobby Robson. Throughout his career Simon has gained vast experience of coaching at all levels of the game, from coaching within the grassroots goalkeeping programme through to working with senior international goalkeepers like Shay Given. Simon now oversees the Development Programme for the England youth goalkeepers from U19s down and manages the Talent Identifi cation Programme for the next generation of potential England goalkeepers.
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