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Post by lfcfan on Jan 19, 2021 13:23:03 GMT -5
My 11 year old son wants to switch into a goalie position. He is currently academy 2009, pretty solid (tall for his age) player as a left or right defender on 2nd team. The times he has played goalie as a sub, he was pretty good. I want to support his decision, and help him get where he needs to be. Any advice on this switch would be much appreciated.
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Post by DunwoodySoccerDad on Jan 19, 2021 14:32:52 GMT -5
One thing I will say is that if he's making the full-time commitment to be a GK, he'll be in high demand. Very few kids want to play GK exclusively.
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Post by lfcfan on Jan 19, 2021 14:43:53 GMT -5
I am guilty of not listening to him about wanting to pursue goalie in the Fall. He sat me down this weekennd and told me he is ready to make the commitment to pursue it on top of keeping up with his current position. I just need to know if there are any camps or recommendation of goal keeper private training ITP.
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Post by datrain on Jan 19, 2021 15:41:53 GMT -5
What part of Atlanta do you reside?
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Post by sanesoccerdad on Jan 19, 2021 16:17:42 GMT -5
Southern Crescent
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Post by kidsocceruber on Jan 19, 2021 16:42:34 GMT -5
If you're asking if it's too late to switch, it isn't. My daughter didn't start playing in goal exclusively at club level until U12 and before then she was a forward, so already being a defender the transition shouldn't be bad. At the younger ages I think most coaches would swap keepers at halftime if they have two, but as he gets older and there's 2 on the team he'll be fighting for playing time and could be on the bench a game if that coach doesn't like to/want to swap at half. Some coaches only go with one keeper on their team, so of course it depends on the situation. As long as he knows that going in then it should be fine, and if he's good as he gets older then finding/keeping a starting spot on a good team at his level shouldn't be an issue.
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Post by kidsocceruber on Jan 19, 2021 16:44:03 GMT -5
And yes, send him to Southern Crescent for extra training. Most of the bigger clubs do their own GK training separate from team training, but we've been with them for years and they'll stay a constant even if you change clubs at some point.
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Post by jkdub1 on Jan 19, 2021 17:18:11 GMT -5
My kid successfully switched to goalie around that age so it’s very do-able.
All the above points are good for sure.
Plus, make sure your kid is getting field time as well. Not necessarily on his main team. Maybe join a Sunday league or futsal and play outside that position. He’s gotta keep up his foot skills so he can be the 11th player not just the goalie. His teammates will trust him and he’ll be able to unburden the defense which is invaluable. A goalie with good/great foot skills is an absolute treasure. Also, make sure he’s getting plenty of specialized training as some clubs treat goalies as red headed stepchildren. You don’t have to get crazy with training, just make sure he’s getting something somewhere.
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Post by lfcfan on Jan 19, 2021 18:19:01 GMT -5
If you're asking if it's too late to switch, it isn't. My daughter didn't start playing in goal exclusively at club level until U12 and before then she was a forward, so already being a defender the transition shouldn't be bad. At the younger ages I think most coaches would swap keepers at halftime if they have two, but as he gets older and there's 2 on the team he'll be fighting for playing time and could be on the bench a game if that coach doesn't like to/want to swap at half. Some coaches only go with one keeper on their team, so of course it depends on the situation. As long as he knows that going in then it should be fine, and if he's good as he gets older then finding/keeping a starting spot on a good team at his level shouldn't be an issue. |
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Post by lfcfan on Jan 19, 2021 18:24:12 GMT -5
Thank you for the replies. Very good info to start this process. I will look into Southern Crescent Academy. I am more of a reader of this forum, catching up on the news of soccer, so I thought start here to gather info for my son.
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Post by Shesakeeper on Jan 19, 2021 21:01:36 GMT -5
All of the advice above is great, another vote for Southern crescent as well. They have a few practice locations so should be pretty accessible and their coaching staff is top notch, most are current or past pros or college coaches. As he gets older they are very helpful guiding their players through the college scouting path. They have affiliations with a few clubs too for discounts, I know Ambush and Afc and I think one other. I think all of the clubs offer some type of training for their keepers where they'll attend extra sessions, usually once per week on top of regular training. He will want to take advantage of those for sure because regular team training doesn't focus on it at all in my experience. As someone above said, it will be imperative to keep training on the field too, foot skills get so much more important as they get older, he will need to be very comfortable with the ball at his feet, becoming that 11th player the defenders can count on to relieve pressure when necessary. Good luck, it's a fun position to watch as a parent, even with the moments when your heart is in your throat when they come charging out on a 1v1! 😬🤣
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Post by gkparent on Jan 19, 2021 21:30:15 GMT -5
As others have said- specialized keeper training is a must. If your team practices 2 nights a week, the player should be at keeper training 1-2 additional nights a week. For us, soccer is 4 nights a week, every week. It’s a commitment but essential. Be mindful of fitness and make sure he runs a few miles each week (show up early to team practice and run a mile/laps around the field). He’s not going to get consistent running in like field players, so he has to make time for it. If not, eventually he won’t be able to keep up. Gloves- be prepared to buy a new pair every 2 months (if he’s training 4 nights a week). Have a practice pair and a game day pair & rotate out as needed. Find the right glove for your player. My child has worn every brand and prefers West Coast gloves over the $200 Nike & Adidas. if he can get the field time too, fantastic. We did not have that experience. Mine wasn’t allowed to play anything but goal. Finally- the position takes a lot out of a kid mentally. The fact he wants to commit to the position says he will likely thrive. I once read an article that referenced field players can make many mistakes in a game and will hear “good try” or “unlucky.” Goal keepers don’t often get the same encouragement. Each of his mistakes will be on display with the game being stopped and he fishes the ball out of the net. As long as he walks away from those mistakes wanting to go to keeper training more than he wants to quit- he’ll be be great!
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Post by Goalkeeper Dad on Jan 20, 2021 7:36:38 GMT -5
Look into Last Defense Goalkeeping Academy. Ron A. is awesome as well as the head of Goalkeeping for Georgia ODP. He has been my daughter coach for the last 3 years and has improved every facet of her game.
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Post by flix on Jan 20, 2021 7:40:42 GMT -5
As others have said- specialized keeper training is a must. If your team practices 2 nights a week, the player should be at keeper training 1-2 additional nights a week. For us, soccer is 4 nights a week, every week. It’s a commitment but essential. Be mindful of fitness and make sure he runs a few miles each week (show up early to team practice and run a mile/laps around the field). He’s not going to get consistent running in like field players, so he has to make time for it. If not, eventually he won’t be able to keep up. Gloves- be prepared to buy a new pair every 2 months (if he’s training 4 nights a week). Have a practice pair and a game day pair & rotate out as needed. Find the right glove for your player. My child has worn every brand and prefers West Coast gloves over the $200 Nike & Adidas. if he can get the field time too, fantastic. We did not have that experience. Mine wasn’t allowed to play anything but goal. Finally- the position takes a lot out of a kid mentally. The fact he wants to commit to the position says he will likely thrive. I once read an article that referenced field players can make many mistakes in a game and will hear “good try” or “unlucky.” Goal keepers don’t often get the same encouragement. Each of his mistakes will be on display with the game being stopped and he fishes the ball out of the net. As long as he walks away from those mistakes wanting to go to keeper training more than he wants to quit- he’ll be be great! Also keep in mind that 99% of the time it’s never the goalies fault they are fishing the ball out of the net. 99%? I think that percentage is way too high. I do agree that usually when a goal is scored there is a breakdown within the team as a unit to allow the goal. However, there are a number of occasions where goals are scored because of keeper error, how many times has a ball been kicked straight at the keeper and it goes through their legs or through their hands? I’ve seen a few along with other examples such as bad positioning. It is true that field players get the “unlucky” pats on the back however people also trash talk them for missing. Coaches will take kids out if they are not scoring if they are attackers IF the coach has other available options. Keepers get all the glory when they make saves but should also shoulder their own portion of the responsibility when they are scored on, you can’t just say it’s not their fault 99% of the time. But I believe you are a keeper or you aren’t, once you get past the younger ages you should not have a field player playing keeper nor a keeper playing in the field. That’s great he wants to play keeper as we always need good keepers to measure your true abilities as an attacker. |
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Post by DunwoodySoccerDad on Jan 20, 2021 7:45:12 GMT -5
Also keep in mind that 99% of the time it’s never the goalies fault they are fishing the ball out of the net. 99%? I think that percentage is way too high. I do agree that usually when a goal is scored there is a breakdown within the team as a unit to allow the goal. However, there are a number of occasions where goals are scored because of keeper error, how many times has a ball been kicked straight at the keeper and it goes through their legs or through their hands? I’ve seen a few along with other examples such as bad positioning. It is true that field players get the “unlucky” pats on the back however people also trash talk them for missing. Coaches will take kids out if they are not scoring if they are attackers IF the coach has other available options. Keepers get all the glory when they make saves but should also shoulder their own portion of the responsibility when they are scored on, you can’t just say it’s not their fault 99% of the time. But I believe you are a keeper or you aren’t, once you get past the younger ages you should not have a field player playing keeper nor a keeper playing in the field. That’s great he wants to play keeper as we always need good keepers to measure your true abilities as an attacker. Yeah 99% is way too high. Maybe at the highest levels of soccer, but not academy. |
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Post by allthingsoccer on Jan 20, 2021 18:27:28 GMT -5
Perfect age so not too late. My son started at 10 and is now playing at a pretty high level.
Can't go wrong with any of the suggestions regarding training. Last Defense is solid (Ron), Southern Crest is good, Magic Hands Goalkeeper (A. Tokpah) is really good. Love Felipe out of Concorde.
We have had exp. with them all. You want to listen to your player. At the end of the day its about them and what motivates them.
Don't train keeper all year round, takes a toll on the body, increases risk of injury.
We mixed it up pretty well with my son. We did some slot wide receiver training, kicking field goals, hill sprints, Toca, etc..
I'm more than happy to chat in more detail. Send me a message.
Best
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Post by lfcfan on Jan 20, 2021 20:33:59 GMT -5
Perfect age so not too late. My son started at 10 and is now playing at a pretty high level. Can't go wrong with any of the suggestions regarding training. Last Defense is solid (Ron), Southern Crest is good, Magic Hands Goalkeeper (A. Tokpah) is really good. Love Felipe out of Concorde. We have had exp. with them all. You want to listen to your player. At the end of the day its about them and what motivates them. Don't train keeper all year round, takes a toll on the body, increases risk of injury. We mixed it up pretty well with my son. We did some slot wide receiver training, kicking field goals, hill sprints, Toca, etc.. I'm more than happy to chat in more detail. Send me a message. Best Yes! Thank you. I will reach out to you. |
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Post by georgiasoccerdad on Jan 21, 2021 17:25:58 GMT -5
One advantage your son has is field experience. My daughter is a Keeper and headed to play D1 in the Fall- one of the things her coaches love is the ability to play with her feet. She can switch the field and plays it out of the back quite nicely. If he does become a keeper at his age and succeeds, you will never look at your watch again to check on his minutes. Best of luck!
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Post by oraclesfriend on Jan 21, 2021 18:31:07 GMT -5
One advantage your son has is field experience. My daughter is a Keeper and headed to play D1 in the Fall- one of the things her coaches love is the ability to play with her feet. She can switch the field and plays it out of the back quite nicely. If he does become a keeper at his age and succeeds, you will never look at your watch again to check on his minutes. Best of luck! Congrats to your daughter! I agree with what you said about quality of playing with feet. The best keepers in the world are good at it |
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