Ohio Elite Soccer AcademyOhio Elite Soccer Academy

Goalkeeper Curriculum & Goalkeeper Curriculum & TestingTestingBy Dave SchureckBy Dave SchureckUpdated January 2013Updated January 2013

U9-U10U9-U10

U9-U10 Age Groups will be introduced to the goalkeeping basics and the importance of U9-U10 Age Groups will be introduced to the goalkeeping basics and the importance of technique to prevent injuries. Players in this age group should play no more than 1 half technique to prevent injuries. Players in this age group should play no more than 1 half in goal. Goalkeeping training should only be attended when not in conflict with field in goal. Goalkeeping training should only be attended when not in conflict with field practice. practice. 

Set Position: Set Position: Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight forward on Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight forward on balls of feet. I also refer to it as GORILLA STANCE.balls of feet. I also refer to it as GORILLA STANCE.

Footwork:Footwork: proper angles, quick feet, keep body low proper angles, quick feet, keep body low

Catches: Catches: Scoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Contour Catch (Diamond or Circle Shape)Scoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Contour Catch (Diamond or Circle Shape)

DivingDiving: Collapse dives (right/left side); heel to toe step; catching with THREE HANDS; 30 : Collapse dives (right/left side); heel to toe step; catching with THREE HANDS; 30 degree forward angles; front divesdegree forward angles; front dives

Distribution: Distribution: Bowling, kicks and punts. The importance of maintaining possessionBowling, kicks and punts. The importance of maintaining possession

Rules of the Game: Rules of the Game: back-pass, 6 seconds, Direct vs. Indirect kicks, etc back-pass, 6 seconds, Direct vs. Indirect kicks, etc

Communication:Communication: proper terms and importance proper terms and importance  

OESA U9-U10 OESA U9-U10 GoalkeepingGoalkeeping

CRADLE CATCHCRADLE CATCH

FRONT DIVEFRONT DIVE

SET POSITIONSET POSITION

COLLAPSE DIVECOLLAPSE DIVE

U11-U13 U11-U13  U11-U13 Age Groups should be very comfortable with the techniques of scoop catch, cradle catch, U11-U13 Age Groups should be very comfortable with the techniques of scoop catch, cradle catch,

contour catch, set position, collapse dives, front dives, bowling, and understand the major rules contour catch, set position, collapse dives, front dives, bowling, and understand the major rules specific to goalkeepers. Communication and distribution will be heavily emphasized, as well as the specific to goalkeepers. Communication and distribution will be heavily emphasized, as well as the techniques below. Goalkeepers at this age must develop strong verbal and leadership characteristics. techniques below. Goalkeepers at this age must develop strong verbal and leadership characteristics. There should be fewer “soft” goals given up in training and games. There should be fewer “soft” goals given up in training and games.

Set Position: Set Position: Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight on balls of feet. I also refer to Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight on balls of feet. I also refer to it as GORILLA STANCE.it as GORILLA STANCE.

Catches: Catches: Scoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Contour Catch (Diamond or Circle Shape)Scoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Contour Catch (Diamond or Circle Shape)

Footwork:Footwork: proper angles, quick feet, keep body low, cross-over steps proper angles, quick feet, keep body low, cross-over steps

Breakaways: Breakaways: Short step vs. long step, hands wide and pushed forward, weight forward, forward step into the Short step vs. long step, hands wide and pushed forward, weight forward, forward step into the collapse dive form, timing and explosioncollapse dive form, timing and explosion

High Ball Save: High Ball Save: Correct Footwork, jumping with both legs, arms bent, catching ball at 1 o’clock in diamond Correct Footwork, jumping with both legs, arms bent, catching ball at 1 o’clock in diamond shape, box vs. catch, getting in line with the ballshape, box vs. catch, getting in line with the ball

Deflections: Deflections: crossover steps, turning for balls overhead, low hand vs. top hand, crossover steps, turning for balls overhead, low hand vs. top hand,

Distribution: Distribution: pass-backs, punts, goal-kicks, bowl, baseball throw and sling pass-backs, punts, goal-kicks, bowl, baseball throw and sling

Positioning: Positioning: String attached to ball position; set pieces; depth in the 18; attacking support String attached to ball position; set pieces; depth in the 18; attacking support

Leadership:Leadership: when and how to communicate, organizing defense, how to train when and how to communicate, organizing defense, how to train

OESA U11-U13 GoalkeepingOESA U11-U13 Goalkeeping

COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION HIGH BALLSHIGH BALLS

DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION BREAKAWAYSBREAKAWAYS

U14-U16U14-U16 U14-U16 Age Groups should begin to start coaching their defense and organizing all U14-U16 Age Groups should begin to start coaching their defense and organizing all

defensive set pieces. GKs should be comfortable playing off their line and handling defensive set pieces. GKs should be comfortable playing off their line and handling balls at feet. Majority of techniques should very good. Emphasis on having an ‘on field balls at feet. Majority of techniques should very good. Emphasis on having an ‘on field personality’ and strong leadership. Classroom sessions over winter on understanding personality’ and strong leadership. Classroom sessions over winter on understanding defenses, how to organize set pieces, and leadership.defenses, how to organize set pieces, and leadership.

Set Position: Set Position: Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight on balls of Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight on balls of feet. I also refer to it as GORILLA STANCE.feet. I also refer to it as GORILLA STANCE.

Catches: Catches: Scoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Diamond CatchScoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Diamond Catch Footwork:Footwork: proper angles, quick feet, keep body low, cross-over steps proper angles, quick feet, keep body low, cross-over steps Breakaways: Breakaways: Short step vs. long step, hands wide and pushed forward, weight forward, Short step vs. long step, hands wide and pushed forward, weight forward,

forward step into the collapse dive form, timing and explosionforward step into the collapse dive form, timing and explosion High Ball Save: High Ball Save: Correct Footwork, jumping with both legs, arms bent, catching ball at 1 Correct Footwork, jumping with both legs, arms bent, catching ball at 1

o’clock in diamond shape, box vs. catch, getting in line with the ballo’clock in diamond shape, box vs. catch, getting in line with the ball Distribution: Distribution: pass-backs, punts, goal-kicks, bowl, baseball throw and sling pass-backs, punts, goal-kicks, bowl, baseball throw and sling Positioning: Positioning: String attached to ball position; set pieces; depth in the 18; attacking support String attached to ball position; set pieces; depth in the 18; attacking support Leadership:Leadership: when and how to communicate, organizing defense, how to train when and how to communicate, organizing defense, how to train High Ball Boxing: High Ball Boxing: correct form on two hand and one hand punches, correct footwork to and correct form on two hand and one hand punches, correct footwork to and

from punch from punch Deflections: Deflections: crossover steps, turning for balls overhead, low hand vs. top hand, crossover steps, turning for balls overhead, low hand vs. top hand, Power Dives: Power Dives: proper footwork, power step explosion, opposite driving leg across the body, proper footwork, power step explosion, opposite driving leg across the body,

two hands to the ball two hands to the ball Leadership: Leadership: coaching the defense, short memory, off field habits coaching the defense, short memory, off field habits

OESA U14-U16 GoalkeepingOESA U14-U16 Goalkeeping

FOOTWORKFOOTWORKPOWER DIVESPOWER DIVES

LEADERSHIPLEADERSHIPDEFLECTIONSDEFLECTIONS

U17 & UpU17 & Up

U17 & Up will be comfortable with all techniques. Understanding tactics and moments of the game will U17 & Up will be comfortable with all techniques. Understanding tactics and moments of the game will be addressed during team training. Repetition and game-like situations will be emphasized. be addressed during team training. Repetition and game-like situations will be emphasized. Continued classroom and film sessions. Continued classroom and film sessions.

Set Position: Set Position: Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight on balls of feet. I also refer to Hard Parts forward (chin, shoulders, hands, knees), body weight on balls of feet. I also refer to it as GORILLA STANCE.it as GORILLA STANCE.

Catches: Catches: Scoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Contour Catch (Diamond or Circle Shape)Scoop, Basket/Cradle Catch and Contour Catch (Diamond or Circle Shape) Footwork:Footwork: proper angles, quick feet, keep body low, cross-over steps proper angles, quick feet, keep body low, cross-over steps Breakaways: Breakaways: Short step vs. long step, hands wide and pushed forward, weight forward, forward step into the Short step vs. long step, hands wide and pushed forward, weight forward, forward step into the

collapse dive form, timing and explosioncollapse dive form, timing and explosion High Ball Save: High Ball Save: Correct Footwork, jumping with both legs, arms bent, catching ball at 1 o’clock in diamond Correct Footwork, jumping with both legs, arms bent, catching ball at 1 o’clock in diamond

shape, box vs. catch, getting in line with the ballshape, box vs. catch, getting in line with the ball Distribution: Distribution: pass-backs, punts, goal-kicks, bowl, baseball throw and sling pass-backs, punts, goal-kicks, bowl, baseball throw and sling Positioning: Positioning: String attached to ball position; set pieces; depth in the 18; attacking support String attached to ball position; set pieces; depth in the 18; attacking support Leadership:Leadership: when and how to communicate, organizing defense, how to train when and how to communicate, organizing defense, how to train High Ball Boxing: High Ball Boxing: correct form on two hand and one hand punches, correct footwork to and from punch correct form on two hand and one hand punches, correct footwork to and from punch Deflections: Deflections: crossover steps, turning for balls overhead, low hand vs. top hand, crossover steps, turning for balls overhead, low hand vs. top hand, Power Dives: Power Dives: proper footwork, power step explosion, opposite driving leg across the body, two hands to the proper footwork, power step explosion, opposite driving leg across the body, two hands to the

ball ball Leadership: Leadership: coaching the defense, short memory, off field habits coaching the defense, short memory, off field habits Problem solver: Problem solver: using positioning and coaching to solve potentially dangerous attacks. using positioning and coaching to solve potentially dangerous attacks. Personality: Personality: positive attitude and tremendous confidence no matter the situation. Developing a ‘presence’ in positive attitude and tremendous confidence no matter the situation. Developing a ‘presence’ in

goal.goal.

Ohio Elite GK TestingOhio Elite GK Testing

GK TestsGK Tests are designed to get a baseline for where the goalkeeper is in their development at the are designed to get a baseline for where the goalkeeper is in their development at the position. The tests are the same for all ages (8 to 18 years old). We do expect our goalkeepers to position. The tests are the same for all ages (8 to 18 years old). We do expect our goalkeepers to improve and/or maintain levels. As a goalkeeper progresses in the club, we will be able to see improve and/or maintain levels. As a goalkeeper progresses in the club, we will be able to see improvements in technique, physical fitness, and focus.improvements in technique, physical fitness, and focus.

GK Tests are not the determining factor for playing time or if the goalkeeper will be effective at the GK Tests are not the determining factor for playing time or if the goalkeeper will be effective at the position. These tests do, however, show us who puts in the time and their level of commitment to position. These tests do, however, show us who puts in the time and their level of commitment to learning and improving. That being said, all the top goalkeepers I have worked with over the years learning and improving. That being said, all the top goalkeepers I have worked with over the years have had very successful testing by the time they were 16-17 years of age.have had very successful testing by the time they were 16-17 years of age.

PHYSICAL TESTSPHYSICAL TESTS TECHNIQUETECHNIQUE FOCUSFOCUS

Agility Left/Right Juggle Alternating Hand BoxAgility Left/Right Juggle Alternating Hand Box

20 Yard Sprint Bowl 2 Hand Box20 Yard Sprint Bowl 2 Hand Box

Push Ups Baseball /Side Sling SpiderPush Ups Baseball /Side Sling Spider

Sit Ups Sling Throw Ball CatchSit Ups Sling Throw Ball Catch

Punt/Dropkick/Side VolleyPunt/Dropkick/Side Volley

GoalkickGoalkick

Ohio Elite GK Test DescriptionOhio Elite GK Test DescriptionAlternating Hand BoxAlternating Hand Box: punch the ball in the air (alternating hands each time) consecutively – 1 : punch the ball in the air (alternating hands each time) consecutively – 1 minuteminute

2 Hand Box2 Hand Box: punch the ball in the air (with both hands) – 1 minute: punch the ball in the air (with both hands) – 1 minute

SpiderSpider: hold ball between legs with both hands in front. Move one hand behind leg then the other : hold ball between legs with both hands in front. Move one hand behind leg then the other without letting ball hit ground. – 1 minutewithout letting ball hit ground. – 1 minute

Ball CatchBall Catch: Hold ball above head and behind. Drop ball, then catch it before it hits ground by : Hold ball above head and behind. Drop ball, then catch it before it hits ground by putting hands between legs – 5 triesputting hands between legs – 5 tries

JuggleJuggle: juggle ball (feet only) consecutively – 1 minute: juggle ball (feet only) consecutively – 1 minute

Agility (Left/Right)Agility (Left/Right): : start in middle of 10 yards. Run 5 yards left/right, back 10 yards, then back 5 start in middle of 10 yards. Run 5 yards left/right, back 10 yards, then back 5 yards to middle. - Timedyards to middle. - Timed

BowlBowl: underhand roll the ball through a 4 yard goal from 15 yards. – 5 tries: underhand roll the ball through a 4 yard goal from 15 yards. – 5 tries

Baseball/Side SlingBaseball/Side Sling: baseball throw or side arm sling ball through a 4 yard goal from 25 yards. – 5 : baseball throw or side arm sling ball through a 4 yard goal from 25 yards. – 5 triestries

Sling ThrowSling Throw: overhand whip the ball through a 4 yard goal from 35 yards. – 5 tries: overhand whip the ball through a 4 yard goal from 35 yards. – 5 tries

Punt/Dropkick/Side VolleyPunt/Dropkick/Side Volley: punt ball into a 12x12 yard square from U9-U10:20 yds | U11-U13:35 : punt ball into a 12x12 yard square from U9-U10:20 yds | U11-U13:35 yds | U14-U18:45 yards away. – 5 triesyds | U14-U18:45 yards away. – 5 tries

GoalkicksGoalkicks: strike a ball from ground into 12x12 yard square - U9-U10:20 yds | U11-U13:35 yds | : strike a ball from ground into 12x12 yard square - U9-U10:20 yds | U11-U13:35 yds | U14-U18:45 yards away. – 5 triesU14-U18:45 yards away. – 5 tries

20 Yard Sprint20 Yard Sprint: timed 20 yard run. – 2 tries: timed 20 yard run. – 2 tries

Push –upPush –up: number of push-up in 1 minute. – chest to large cone: number of push-up in 1 minute. – chest to large cone

Sit-upSit-up: number of sit-ups in 1 minute. – legs bent and feet held by partner; hand behind head or : number of sit-ups in 1 minute. – legs bent and feet held by partner; hand behind head or crossed on chest.crossed on chest.

Ohio Elite Test StandardsOhio Elite Test Standards

    BOYS     GIRLS  

  U11-13 U14-16 U16 up U11-13 U14-16 U16 up

Agility Left/Right            

Minimum 5.65 5.00 4.50 5.65 5.20 4.90

Goal 5.45 4.50 4.10 5.45 4.90 4.65

Excellent <5.20 <4.25 <4.00 <5.20 <4.40 <4.10

             

20 yard            

Minimum 3.65 3.30 3.10 3.75 3.70 3.60

Goal 3.45 3.20 2.90 3.55 3.40 3.30

Excellent <3.20 <2.90 <2.70 <3.25 <3.10 <3.00

Ohio Elite Tests Ohio Elite Tests StandardsStandards

    BOYS     GIRLS  

  U11-13 U14-16 U16 up U11-13 U14-16 U16 up

Push up            

  30 35 48 30 35 48

  38 48 55 38 48 55

  45+ 60+ 65+ 45+ 60+ 65+

             

Sit up      

  30 40 48 30 40 48

  40 50 55 40 50 55

  50+ 60+ 65+ 50+ 60+ 65+

Ohio Elite Test StandardsOhio Elite Test Standards

 Alt Box

2 Hand Box Spider

Ball Catch Juggle Bowl Baseball Sling Punt

MINIMUM 25 25 80 1 25 4 4 4 4

GOAL 50 50 125 3 50 5 5 5 5

EXCELLENT 100+ 100+ 200+ 5 100+ 5 5 5 5