Elite Goalkeeper Academy USA

Clips from a recent session, multiple parts to keep all goalkeepers active and working throughout. Great mix of playing away from pressure, close range/1v1 situations and transitional moments.

Lots of experimenting, learning and enjoyment! I would call this one a type of set-up!🧤

The trajectory of shots vary between the men’s and women’s game, and so do physical attributes such as height. In the women’s game I encourage goalkeepers to sit a little deeper from mid-long range shots in order to account for the dip/loop we often see. By closing the space between ourselves and the crossbar we can deal with those shots that often dip right below the crossbar, whilst also allowing ourselves more time to move laterally with the line of the ball as needed.

Great positioning and great footwork from Ari here in this save.

It is important to understand subtle differences that arise between men’s and women’s soccer, adjust service and sessions to reflect that, and allow the goalkeepers to explore their positioning 🧤

Another video from weekend games over in Cali. Love this from David.

Initially drops to defend the goal, taking away a quick shot option for the striker, then makes small, controlled adjustments down the line as the striker advances, closing the space and narrowing the angle, before timing his spread and staying square together the ball.

Again, lots of knowledge and skill, lots of reps on the training field. Constantly creating a free playing environment where multiple scenarios occur, forcing the goalkeeper to think, analyze and learn. Great goalkeeping, no luck involved here, just hard work and knowledge 🧤

Love this save from Emily at the GA showcase in Cali - set at the strike, good depth in position, great footwork with the line of the ball. Every small detail we have worked on relevant to shot stopping from distance pays off in this one save. Ultimately it comes down to the goalkeeper having the knowledge, the reasoning, and executing it…. 🧤

Another one of our recent sessions, 2 goal set-up with players in the middle playing some combo play and allowing to take on either goal.

This fun session was all about quick repositioning, angle work, recovery movements… all the general movements we do in games constantly. By keeping it unscripted and unpredictable it forced the keepers to play each ball live, dealing with shots when they were out of position etc.

Each play looked different flexing the goalkeepers to experiment with their decision making 🧤

Some great sessions been happening this summer. Groups of boys and girls creating a competitive and hard working atmosphere that everyone is growing in. Field player integration is really helping to create game scenarios and match tempo, train as you play…! This session was focusing primarily on service from wide/narrow angles, decision making and positioning 🧤

Common topic of the week has been discussion about depth in our positioning. When to advance, when to hold, how do we best effect the striker… creating an environment in which the goalkeepers need to think, and that is also competitive and game relevant. Each play is different, the direction of a touch, the weight of a pass, the angle of a run all effect our decision making.

Another great set of groups today. Always great when you see small details from individual sessions transfer into bigger environments🧤

It’s a summer full of great keepers working with each other in a challenging and competitive environment.

Large groups, small groups, individuals, field player integration, pro/college/youth, some great sessions happening right now for both men and women! 🧤

One of the great sessions from this weekend incorporating 7 goalkeepers and some field players. Focus on decision making in close range situations, one v one techniques, secondary focus on distribution and a recovery save. Always important to find ways to keep all keepers active in larger groups and also set drills up so keepers can learn from situations that translate directly into game scenarios. Set up an environment that encourages learning and places the decision making in the goalkeepers hands🧤

In possession/out of possession, wanted to work on service from the byline and narrow shots.

When planning a session, I like to think how can I work the ball to where I need it for the component we’re working on. By doing this you get to work on multiple other outcomes such as distribution, switching position/mindset for in possession/out of possession scenarios and realistic game movement.

Interested in joining small groups? DM! Practice should translate to game scenarios and have a purpose so that keepers learn and grow, not just cone drills that don’t engage the goalkeepers game knowledge or understanding🧤