Goalkeeping Philosophy Edward Gallagher

A philosophy developed from combining elements of differing

coaching cultures from across the world. Successfully identifying the overall needs

of a modern day goalkeeper and delivering sessions that prepare

goalkeepers to compete at the highest level.

 

Coaching experience with professional clubs, academies and soccer associations in four different countries.

Experience in different soccer cultures and environments has resulted in an

all round goalkeeping philosophy built up with strengths from a range of nations.

Learning from professional coaches at the highest level in each country whilst coaching elite level goalkeepers from different backgrounds has resulted in a coaching style that can be adapted to suit goalkeepers of

differing age and ability levels.

United States of America

Hungary Finland Scotland

Three Tier Model

I  developed  the  Three  Tier  Model  to  help  successfully  implement  my  goalkeeping  philosophy  into  my  coaching.  The  model  is  a  con:nuous  model  meaning  each  area  has  a  direct  effect  on  the  others.  As  a  coach,  I  believe  that  no  area  is  more  important  than  the  other.  

Coaching Style

Key Areas

Coaching Process

The  coaching  style  is  ‘how’  I  coach.  I  approach  my  coaching  in  a  specific  way  that  allows  me  to  successfully  implement  my  philosophy  in  my  coaching  sessions.  

The  key  areas  is  ‘what’  I  coach.  I  have  a  belief  of  what  goalkeepers  should  work  on  in  order  to  best  prepare  themselves  for  the  modern  game  of  soccer.  

The  coaching  process  is  the  ‘method’  that  I  use  to  coach.  Following  a  process  helps  to  successfully  implement  the  philosophy  and  increase  learning.    

Coaching Tier One Style (1) Deliver well organized sessions in a safe environment using

modern-day training techniques and training aids to improve the goalkeepers technically, tactically, mentally and physically.

(2) Deliver every exercise in a way that requires the highest

degree of concentration in order to gain success. Implement goalkeeper rotation, ball recycling and varying serves in order to have as many goalkeepers active at the one time.

I believe that the days of the drill sergeant are well and truly over, meaning I deliver my sessions in a well mannered and calm approach. I believe that the best outcomes can occur when conversation happens between coach and goalkeeper as the goalkeeper can learn what to do, rather than being told what to do.

Key Tier Two Areas

TECHNICAL -  Shot Stopping -  Dealing with a range of crosses -  Parrying into save areas -  Punching into save areas -  1 v 1 blocks -  Vertical, horizontal and turning

movements

PHYSICAL -  Explosion -  Power -  Speed -  Core Strength -  Balance -  Anaerobic Capacity

MENTAL -  Confidence -  Courage -  Concentration -  Resilience -  Problem solving -  Leadership

TACTICAL -  Understand the defensive shape -  Be comfortable with the philosophy -  Tactical positioning -  Game understanding -  Comfortable in possession -  Decision making

Coaching Tier Three Process

1. Observe Performance: Analyze performance taking detailed notes and recording statistics. 2. Deliver Feedback: Discuss the performance with the goalkeeper providing the overall strengths and areas to improve from the performance. 3. Devise an action plan: A plan will be devised after discussing with the goalkeeper on the areas that they wont to improve in conjunction with my philosophy. 4. Act and Experiment: We will then train and find ways that we can successfully improve the performance of the goalkeeper. 5. Evaluate and Check Process Once a solution has been found we can then evaluate the process of the goalkeeper and see if anymore needs to be done.

Goalkeeping Methodology

Originating from Spain who are at the forefront of goalkeeping development, I have adapted the approach to suit goalkeepers of different ability levels and nationalities.

Analytic Method The base of goalkeeper training working solely with the goalkeeper on technical aspects. Analyzing every technique and dissecting them in order to pinpoint exactly what the goalkeeper requires to improve. The main way to coach this is through repetitive motions. Global Method Creating game related situations and covers all aspects of the games. The exercises and drills are carried out in such a way that make them as close to a normal competitive game as possible. Players and goalkeepers will train together with games in place that recreate specific scenarios that will occur on match day. Mixed Method The mixed method starts with an analytic movement before moving into a global game. The mixed method allows the goalkeeper to train a technique whilst also recreating a lifelike game scenario. Goalkeepers and players train together.

Roles off of the field

-  Video Analysis -  Gathering game statistics -  Psychological coaching -  Assistant Coach – Delivering field player sessions -  Planning -  Strength and Conditioning -  Physical Preparation

I believe that the work of a goalkeeper coach does not finish on the training field. Therefore, I have developed an all round coaching portfolio by gaining experience in sports science and in field player coaching.