Ep. 7: UEFA A Licensed Coach Tom Poole: Integrating Goalkeepers Into Team Training

Between The Posts Podcast: Keepers | Coaches | Parents | Soccer

Main Topic: How can coaches integrate goalkeepers into their team training sessions?

As coaches, we are all fortunate at some point in our careers to have certain conversations with other guys and gals that leave us inspired to be a better version of ourselves. On each episode of Between The Posts our goal is to offer that conversation to our listeners. On today's episode, Tyler speaks with one of the most accomplished young coaches in today's youth game. Currently fresh off of earning his UEFA A license coach Tom Poole of Denver Colorado drops in to discuss one of the topics that coaches of all levels face each season, integrating goalkeepers into training sessions. Tom takes you through a very well organized and detailed breakdown of some of the most critical, and, easiest ways to incorporate goalkeepers into your sessions next season.

Points of Discussion:

1. Distribution exercises

2. Playing out of the back

3. 1 v 1 finishing

4. Possession-oriented drills that seek to divide the lines and penetrate to goal

5. Counter-attacking

6. Flighted balls and set pieces - Defensive and Attacking

- How do you evaluate your GKs?

- So many other areas to GK than just saving shots.

- Playing out of the back, modern trend but not common at youth level, again integrating field work so GKs are a playing option in games.

-Finishing phase, high-quality reps, and intensity, how to make it game realistic?

- Possession based work again comes down to the efficiency with a ball at your feet, willingness to break lines. GK can settle or unnerve a game with their presence and technical ability

- Dealing with crosses, style of play, judgment and depth perception

- How can coaches integrate GKs into their training session?

- Ultimately, it comes down to what you and your clubs playing style as well as philosophy is for goalkeeping.