CoachMommyLongIsland Review: LI Rough Riders FREE Youth Goalie Clinic

               

 

What is the one position on the soccer field that brings the most fear to parents?  The position is that of goalie.  Not only is it a position in which we must watch players kick balls at our children and watch our children go head first into player’s cleats, but it is also a high stress position.  There is nothing more difficult than sitting on the sideline with all of the other parents from the team, after your child has been scored on.  Also, many of us want to see our child running on the field, scoring goals, and learning skill and interacting with other teammates throughout the game instead of standing by their lonesome in the net. 

                As a coach, I have spent many years trying to convince players and their parents that it is a smart move to have their child train to play as a goalie.  Almost every season I would have the same conversation with the team and parents explaining that by learning to play goal, it was in fact a great opportunity for the player: as a decent goalie will always have a team to play for since goalies are in short supply.  The conversation almost always ended with me having to the threaten the team and their parent s that if someone did not volunteer to play in goal then EVERY player would take a turn in goal since we could not field a soccer team with no goalie.  Not only myself, but almost every youth soccer coach out there is always on the lookout for a skilled (or even “kinda skilled”) youth soccer goalie to snatch up for our team.  I was always privately relieved that my son’s did not play in goal…until my little guy not only announced last season that he wanted to play goalie for his team, but he then proceeded to become a MONSTER in the net.  A monster with some good instincts, but he had very little knowledge of how to be a goalie.

               

Needless to say, when I received the email this past June about the free Goalie clinic being offered by the Long Island Rough Riders prior to one of their Men’s home games, I jumped on the opportunity to not only get my son some quality introduction to Youth Soccer Goalie 101, but I knew we would enjoy the Men’s Soccer Game that followed the training.  And let’s be completely honest…FREE is always my favorite price.  So, I not only responded to the email to sign my son up for the FREE Clinic, but I sent the email to my good friend, who has a son who plays in goal (he bought the hype one season when I gave my goalie lecture and is now a great goalie for another higher level team), and I sent the information to the father of the goalie for my team.  I then purchased tickets for the rest of the family to attend the game and we waited for the night to come.

                I cannot tell a lie; I am not sure who was more excited, I or my son.  I have to say the one reason I never voiced my objection to my little guy playing in goal is because of his passion for the position.  Last fall, he was a meek field player who could not seem to find his confidence or way on the field and spent most of his games on the sidelines, and I could not object to his lack of playing time.  This past Spring, once he got into the net as a goalkeeper, he became this soccer kid who was excited to get to games and became one of the most aggressive goalkeepers for his age I have ever seen.  He received some training in goal, but as I said, I like the kids to get a variety of training and the LI Rough Riders Free Goalie Clinic was a great opportunity.

           

 

 

Dressed in his long sleeve goalie jersey and long goalie pants, with his turf cleats and Gatorade (epic fail for me as the rules specifically said Water Only and no Gatorade in St. Anthony’s gym) and we were off to St. Anthony’s High School for the clinic.  Upon arrival, we checked in and headed into the gym with parents and spectators in the stands and Goalie keepers aged 9(ish) to 13(ish) on the field.  As the players were lined up, the clinic began with a discussion about proper goalie equipment AND care for the equipment.  I thought this was a great conversation to have, especially with the parents in ear shot, as many parents and coaches overlook the added extra expense for goalkeepers and their families.  As the parent of a goalkeeper, I found it very informative to learn about the proper care of goalie gloves and how to maintain the gloves and clean them.  (They can be washed, but they need to be washed with enough time prior to game and practices so that they can properly dry.  A tip was to place them between 2 towels to help squeeze excess water from the gloves in order to expedite the drying process.)  I know as a parent and coach, I always cringe when I see a soccer player of any age thrown in net without proper gloves or protection for their arms and legs.  A player that is used to playing in goal will become accustomed to the feel of having to get down on the ground or turf to make saves, and their body becomes used to it.  These players can begin to choose if they want to wear long sleeve/legged protective gear or short length (although for youth I ALWAYS recommend long sleeve protective shirts).  Soccer players who are given nothing but a different colored tee and no gloves are being done a disservice by their coach and put at risk.  I believe every coach should carry 1-2 pairs of Goalie gloves in their bag in case they ever need to sub a non-goalie in to the game.

                (stepping off soap box and reminding self I have a blog to write)

              

  After the equipment care discussion, as the players began a soft catch with their ball and the trainers, the question was asked about which animal the favorite animal of all goalies is (or should be).  I will not give away the answer and spoil it for future clinics, but I will say think stealth and quick.  Soon, the group was split into a group of the older goalies and the younger goalies and they began working on drills.  As they worked on the drills, which focused on ball recovery, quick movement, and following instructions, the main trainer also taught the young soccer goalies about the different types of catches (a “W” and a “Basket”).  Can anyone comment below and tell us the most effective catch of the two?  I will give you a hint:  it is the catch that requires 8 different body parts being in contact with the ball.  Comment below to share your answer.  In addition, they young goalies were taught the “Cobra” technique, which is the best goalie stop when faced with a “50/50” ball on a breakaway.  (FINALLY!  Someone taught my son the safe way to go aggressive on the ball.)  The goalkeeper must have strong hands and get out to the ball on the ground with her/his body on back shoulder, head down, and hands and wrists over the ball with ball contact with hands, wrists, inner arms, and body.  (See side picture).  The most interesting part of the training was that the players did all of their training and drills without ever getting in the net and were able to learn that they can train and practice without a net.  Although the initial training was to last about 1.5 hours with a competition at half-time of the game, the game start was delayed and the kids got almost an extra hour of free training.  The clinic included free entrance to the game for the goal keepers (and discounted tickets for the families).  During the game, the goalies all sat together with the trainers and were able to continue to learn as they watched the game and discussed the moves of the goalies.  At half-time, the goal keepers went down to the field and took part in a competition to show off everything they learned in training.  It was not only an educational, but also a FUN night for the kids and families.

              

 

My favorite part of the training was that in addition to the skills training and lessons about equipment care, the trainers also spoke to the goalkeepers about goalies being the heartbeat of the team.  It was explained to the kids that goalies must be strong and never show weakness because the team will watch the goalie and react to his actions.  The trainers made it clear to the kids that they were to never put their hands on their knees or put their heads down, or cry when a goal is scored.  In addition, the goalies were taught that they must be the voice of the team on the field.  As a coach, everything that I want my goalie to know was taught at the training.  It was a well-rounded training for youth soccer goal keepers.

               

In this case, free did not mean low quality.  The clinic was not only exceptionally informative and taught appropriately for the age levels of soccer players that attended, but the trainers taught in a way that was fun for the kids, while also being “no-nonsense” and maintaining high expectations for the behavior and actions of all the young participants.  I give a 5 goal salute to the LI Rough Riders for the Goalkeeper Clinic and look forward to future programs.  Well done!

                Please feel free to comment or share your experience below, even if it was different than mine.  Also if you know the answers to the above questions- please share!  Coming soon is a look at the upcoming Summer Tournaments for August.  Where is your team going?  As always: Read It-Like It-Share It- Comment-Subscribe to It and FOLLOW US on Facebook and Twitter!