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Plyometric Saves
By Mike Smith –
I was first exposed to plyometrics as a training tool in 2000. Simplified as “ jump training” we used plyo work more as a preventative to ankle, knee and hip injuries. I worked primarily as a junior varsity coach at this time and it was my job to develop the next crop of varsity players mostly from those players who wanted to learn soccer but had never played before and were picking it up late in 8th through 10th grade. This work always involved a couple of goal keeper candidates. All of the players, jv and varsity, went through plyometric exercises every day. At some point, when I was struggling to get a young goalie to quicken her feet, she replied to me “ Ohhhh, like we do in the plyo training?” It actually made a big difference for her, perhaps it will help make a difference for your keeper.
The two plyometric moves ( shown above ) which really help are some of the simplest. From a strictly plyometric stand point, the keeper should always make sure when they land the knees do not come out over the toes and that the legs are straight, meaning the knees should not tilt in ( this is extremely important for female players due to their slightly different hip structure). Keepers should rotate jumping side to side and front to back over a ball focusing on increasing height each time. This can be done for a number of repetitions or seconds in sets of 3 or 5.
There are a couple key factors this type of training helps. When I was going through my D training, the instructor immediately chastened every keeper for leaving their feet too early and going for the “ Hollywood save” as he called it. I have found training by taking an initial jump to the side not only quickens the goalies when immediately leaving their feet ( everyone loves a Hollywood save ) but also helps them react when faking the jump and then going to ground. Likewise, the forward and backward jumps seem to help when making plays going forward or back to the ball during games ( like saving the lob ). Finally, the timing aspect when going for high balls improves when the keepers realize they almost always have time to take a jump before committing to the ball. Here is how to drill it:
Set Up
Two keepers can easily work on this. As shown above, a cone takes the place of the ball used in warm ups. IF the keeper starts behind the cone, they must jump to the front before making the save. Obviously, starting in front means there is a jump to the back before making the save. The same holds true with starting on the left or right sides. Initially, the ball can be thrown between knee and chest high for every progression. However, the keepers can start rolling in balls as well as throwing balls higher as the activity continues. Once they have it, bring on the strikers.
Groups of two strikers step in, the serving striker on a post and the attacking striker 15 – 18 yds out. The ball is served in slightly forward of the shooter, who has two touches including the shot. The keepers rotate between sides on the sideways jumps and between on the line and off for the front and back jumps. There is no cone, but as in both warm ups, the keepers should take a hop before committing to a save.
Coaching Points
The keepers will complain that they miss some saves by hopping and will not readily realize when the hop actually made the save by either increasing their quickness and / or forcing them to read the shot first then commit. The coach should make sure they are making the right read and then as a progression, release the keepers to either hop or not, based on what they see.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
The Sweeper Keeper
By Mike Smith –
I wrote a previous tactical based article on the role of the sweeper keeper in support of an aggressive high pressure attack. While this is not usually my preferred style of play, from a keeper training aspect, many of the points of focus in using the “ sweeper keeper” can help improve overall keeper play and in reality, almost every match has those moments where a keeper who was comfortable moving up supporting possession or attack would have prevented some opportunities for the opponent. Here is an exercise to use in giving your goalie the skills needed to “ sweep” and the scenarios in which they will come in handy whether your keeper is a designated “ sweeper keeper” or not.
SWITCHING
The diagram above shows a common situation where a “ sweeper keeper “ might be used to break down a solid defensive side. Everything is covered and with the traditional switch across the back, a good defensive side is simply going to switch with the ball and the attackers will be looking at the same scenario on the opposite side. Additionally, the wide defender who could be a valid attacking option by switching through the keeper is limited to support with the traditional switch. A good tool to have is to switch off the keeper, who can play cleanly long to the opposite wing in a way which WILL bring the outside back out or allow the switch to be made across the opponents goal via a service – either way a win / win for the attacking team.
In a page right out of Pep Guardiola’s play book, if your keeper is comfortable stepping out off frame to support deep play, your team will always have numbers up. Also, by using the keeper, the center defender is in a more natural situation and can either hold or ( as shown above ) drop back to offer more cover and support. 99 times out of 100 when the keeper steps out, there will be a 4 v 1 ( as shown in red ) out on the line and the keeper can always simply clear it out if things do not develop or the pressure is too high.
An easy way to work on both the keeper stepping up high and switching play, or just stepping out to support possession can be done with one drill.
Set Up
As shown above, set up two pug goals ( cones or sticks can be used ) at each corner of the half line. The keeper and two attackers take on 3 defenders to start. The keeper distributes the ball to a wide attacker and immediately steps up to support the switch. To start the drill, the defenders may not close down until the wide attacker has the ball, but the coach may adjust this to increase pressure as the drill progresses. The keeper must switch the ball to the opposite attacker, who can score on the goal on their side. However, the defenders may step out on this attacker as well. Once the switch is made, it is free play for 10 to 20 seconds, defenders may score on the big goal and the attackers may score on either small goal.
Progression
To work on stepping out off goal to support possession, center up one pug goal, add a defender and 3 attackers and start in a similar fashion, with the goalie out of the box on one side ( as shown above ). Again, the drill starts when the attacker in the 4 v 1 receives the ball from the keeper. The defenders can attempt to win it back and score, but if the keeper stays out for support after making the initial distribution wide, the attacking team should maintain possession.
Coaching Points
While there is a wide outlet, the keepers should resist the urge to force this play across their own goal. Initially if there is trouble, the ball can simply be played out or long up the line. The wide player for the attacking side is simply a decoy anyway and should the ball be hit across the attackers should attempt to shift and set up possession on that side rather than run the wide play right to goal. The idea is to draw out and / or off balance the defense with the extra man the keeper provides.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
Effective Goalkeeper Communication
By Mike Smith –
A vocal keeper is a must, however there is a saying in the educational field which I find holds very true in sports as well – “ Just because you can talk, doesn’t mean you can communicate”. One of the first things I usually find myself doing with new teams is explaining to them everyone here knows everyone’s name – which is usually a staple of “ team communication” – several players yelling out the name of the player with the ball. So for keepers, once they have learned to call out marks and bark at their back line to push up – what else can they do to effectively “ communicate” and how can this be worked on?
I have had success breaking this down into 3 categories and working on these 3 scenarios in basic defense vs offense half field drills. The 3 categories are 1. Supporting Communication 2. Instructional Communication and 3. Informative Communication. Most of us cover the instructional aspects but neglect the importance of supportive and informative communication, especially at the youth levels. Take these situations for example:
In the diagram below we see a very common defensive scenario. It is also a scenario in which the outside back, ( shaded in red ) is being set up for failure. The outside back has waited too long to close down the wide attacker and is in a “catch 22”. Step out now and a simple one two has the keeper facing a shot. Hold the line and a well hit service or run to the end line will open up a shooter. This is where Supporting Communication could have helped. Why didn’t the outside back close this down earlier?
I see this too much and then the keeper will often times get on the back in a negative manner after the fact. I do not allow my players to do this. I always tell them “ The only player I want being negative after the fact is the one who owns a time machine.” Put that effort into encouraging and supporting each other EARLY. A keeper should absolutely encourage early pressure when their back line is numbers up ( as shown below). This confidence and positive support will transfer across the pitch and besides, if your back gets beat at midfield, they still have a lot of room and time to recover. The keeper should have been more proactive and “ supporting here”.
Here is an example of when a keeper should use informative communication, i.e., let the defenders know what THEY are doing.
Above we see a keeper faced with what to do with either a crossing service or a near post attack. IF the keeper goes out to shut down the angle or up to intercept the cross, the back post / line will need to be covered. IF the keeper is going to hold their line, the defenders should continue to mark tight. Even though this happens fast, the keeper is the only player who knows what they are going to do. Seconds count. Even if the keeper simply yells “ GOING OUT, or GOING UP “ as they start to move, this could be enough time for the defenders to get in better defensive position instead of getting beaten by a run AND a pass.
Working on this stuff at practice is fairly straight forward and as a bonus, really fun for the keeper and the team. First, set up as shown below for the keeper to work on supporting communication:
Groups of 4 defenders take on groups of 3 attackers on a half field. Play starts as shown ( above ) with a keeper distribution to a wide attacker. The idea is for the keeper to encourage the outside back to close down aggressively, and the rest of the defenders to shift up and over in support – hoping to steal a square pass to the opposite outside attacker. It is all positive, all aggressive here. IF the defender gets beaten, more encouragement to get back and recover is the focus ( as shown below ).
Again, simple enough, almost simple enough not to work on but I promise a few of these sessions, if for no other reason than letting off the pressure of allowing goals and letting the defenders be more aggressive, will improve the overall positive communication of the whole squad.
Informative communication is much the same:
Set up as shown above, 4 attackers vs 4 defenders. Play starts with the keeper sending the ball out to the wide attacker, who must serve the ball within 2 seconds and cannot come in to finish until the ball is across the goal. The goalie MUST yell out what they are doing before or as they start to make a play on the ball. IF the keeper comes out or up – a defender must at least drop off and guard the line on the back post. Just like the first drill, this is all about the keeper being decisive AND communicating that decision to his defenders.
Coaching Points
By adding supporting and informative communication to the standard instructional communication, a keeper will enhance their communication and leadership skills while building a more positive cohesive defending unit. The coach should encourage this by making sure everything happening in this session is positive and proactive, unless you are that person I have been looking for who has the time machine.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
Top Down and Down Up Save Progression
By Mike Smith –
Try this simple training progression to help improve your keeper’s quickness and reaction time, I call it Top Down / Down Up. How often do we shoot on the keeper, allowing them to make one save and then giving them recovery time – regardless of what happens with the ball after the save? Only in a pk shootout can a ball which is denied by the keeper into the field of play be allowed to simply stop without being sent back in. If the keeper does not adequately clear or smother the ball, they are going to have to make another save, sometimes almost immediately and this is actually something they can train for. Check this out:
Set Up
Let two keepers work together between two goal sized ( 24 ft ) cones. The keeper throwing the balls will need a good supply as the progression happens quickly. First, start by throwing a high ball, AS SOON AS the saving keeper makes contact with the ball, the serving keeper shuffles left and throws a ball between the chest and knees. AS SOON AS the saving keeper makes contact with the ball, the serving keeper sends a ball in on the ground, forcing the saving keeper to go to ground for the touch as well.
As soon as the touch is made on the ground, run the progression back to the other side ( as shown below ).
The speed of the distribution can be increased and each keeper should do 5-7 reps in a row before switching between saving and distribution roles. Once the keepers have it down, put them in front of the net.
Shooters come in groups of 3, one group ready to shoot and another ready to set up as soon as the shots are taken. As shown above, balls are placed on the top of the 18, the pk spot and the six. Shooters go almost simultaneously with the shot from the top of the 18 going high, the pk spot going mid range and the shot from the 6 on the ground. Additional groups of 3 can shag balls and this drill can move rather quickly with 9-12 shooters and 2 or even 3 keepers.
Coaching Points
While a great shooting activity, the focus is on the keepers making several save attempts at different areas very quickly. Many keepers will be able to actually save the shots but the focus is quickness, just getting up and down and moving side to side rapidly, the actual saves are a bonus. After the keepers start getting their hands on most of the shots, allow the shooters to change where they shots are going without letting the keepers know a head of time.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
Study the Shooters
By Mike Smith –
I am a firm believer in the ideals of probability, muscle memory and geometry. I think all of these are key aspects of good fundamental keeper training. However, at some point, a keeper has to be able to rely on their own unique abilities – just like a natural goal scorer – to set themselves apart from the pack and truly master their craft. As coaches we all readily identify those young players who have a natural talent for making circus saves, and then drill the fundamental aspects into them as well. For me, something I always find missing, which we can all start doing with our keepers much earlier in training, is the idea of “ making a read”.
A large part of making good reads involves studying the opponent- especially the shooters. Let me explain it another way : Attacker is coming up the right side and cuts in towards goal just off frame for the shot. The keeper should step out off the near post, cut down the angle and force the shooter to come across their body with their right foot, hoping for an in swinger to get the ball to bend into the far side netting: all while playing to the keepers stronger right hand – advantage keeper. Unless the striker coming up the right side is left footed. This is where we need to encourage our keepers to constantly analyze their opponent’s strengths and tendencies as through this study the keepers will be better prepared to make the right read. In the situation above, shocking as it may sound, the keeper might be better off giving the shooter a bit more of the near post than normal. Additional scenarios where a study of an opponent pays off are corners, free kicks, deep shots and tendency to shoot vs pass/cross. For example:
And let me preface ; the idea of letting a keeper make a read is most specifically useful when there are no other options – break aways. Take the scenario above, the red lines represent the approximate area the attacker can use to send the ball towards goal. Cutting off the near post is good, we will say the attacker shoots with their right foot, but what about stepping out? The chance of disrupting a pass here may be better from the keepers current position given the attackers are on a dead sprint, but what about trying to close down the shooter here? What if the goalie knows this attacker has shot the ball 5 previous times, missed all 5, is the leading scorer for the opposing side and is on a 2 game scoring drought? Let the keeper make the read, and more to the point, train them to make the read.
Set Up
As shown below, set up a simple 2 v the goalie shooting drill. While it looks like a lot of space in the diagram, all the activity is taking place from 12 yards in and reflects the space commonly used on a break away. Groups of 2 attackers can take turns running the progression. Play starts with one attacker sending the ball across the box to an oncoming wide attacker. The on coming player receives the ball and may either immediately shoot or pass. IF the pass is made to the player who initially served the ball in, a shot or another pass can be made ( see second diagram below ).
This will put the keeper under some pressure. The idea is for them to make a read, right or wrong, and act. To help, the coach should assign certain shooting groups certain functions, i.e. – one group, even when they switch serving roles shoots immediately from deep. Another group makes one pass and then the shot comes. Another group makes two passes and then another group is free to choose each time. Then the challenge is just working with the keeper on first making a read, then making the right one. Once the keeper has studied the groups – and knows what will happen, the coach can progress the drill and either add attackers, or give the groups a pattern of shooting to follow – first attempt deep shot, second attempt double pass, third attempt deep shot , etc.
Coaching Points
This activity will help your goalies speed of thought and action. Along with this drill, every coach should encourage their keepers to study their opponents, not just during direct games, but during the entire season. In this modern age, the stat monsters get press and this means not just articles, but pictures and video as well. Natural talent, combined with sound fundamentals combined with the freedom and ability to study and read an opponent will help elevate your keepers game “ to the next level”.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
Anticipate Blind Shots
By Mike Smith –
I often times challenge my field players to hit “ blind” crosses to space, anticipating a target player will get there. The searching ball/shot is a staple of every soccer game at every level; however few keepers actually regularly train to save these “ blind” shots during the run of play. I actually instruct my keeper to call out when they are blind or “can’t see” the ball as a cue for the defender to step up pressure: multiple times when coaching younger teams I have witnessed just the opposite – keeper yells “ can’t see” and the defender steps away from the ball allowing the attacker a clean shot. All humor aside, these “blind” situations are part of almost every soccer game – especially on free kicks- thus keepers should regularly practice defending them. Just as the attacker can anticipate the open space to serve or shoot too, the keeper can anticipate the open space and move there to make the save, whether they can actually see the ball or not- here is what I mean.
Above is the traditional free kick set up. The keeper sets up the wall to block off part of the goal and then stays in the open space, with a view of the ball, forcing the attacker to make the toughest shot available. However, if the ball is passed off in front of the wall the keeper will be “ blind” for a moment– (shown here on a free kick for demonstration purposes this blind spot is a common occurrence during the run of play). If the attacker receiving the pass shoots first time, the keeper simply has to commit to the blind space on the near post, set up at a good angle in case the strike goes back far post and again, force the shooter into the hardest shot possible. So while most teams practice this scenario for free kicks, too many don’t for similar situations during the run of play, for example:
This is a common drill when focusing on attacking and defending – but what about the keeper here? What I see most of the time in this situation is the keeper gets frozen trying to figure out where the ball is going to come from and end up all in short order – and we are talking mere seconds if that – and there is seldom enough time to both think and react. So while I am certainly am an advocate of the “ thinking player” , in this situation I say do the thinking ahead of time and know to react quickly and get to the blind space – which will involve a double move.
Set Up
As shown above, just as the path of the ball is going to go across and then back – the keeper’s movements should mirror this and travel with the ball. IF it comes through a blind area, hopefully the keeper will be in position on the way across to make the save by default. As soon as the keeper is set, they should be prepared to move back as the blind area is now on the opposite side. Again, what I am talking about is committing to the pattern of movement which happens MOST of the time – especially at the high school level where attackers are less patient and more excited in front of goal. Instead of asking your keeper to freeze, think and make a read when they cannot see, just ask them to commit to a similar pattern of movement as they anticipate the ball will take. Your keepers can practice it like this:
Have one keeper set up in the net as shown above. The other keeper will serve as the starter by yelling “go” for each attempt. When the starter yells “go”, the keeper in the net turns and moves across to the far post – marked with a cone. To start, the striker on the far post waits for 2 seconds after the starter yells “go” and then hits a far post shot. The keeper in the net attempts to make this save however, 2 seconds after the first shot is taken, an additional striker at the penalty spot will hit another shot into the back post. The keeper in the net has to move quickly after the first save to try and make the second save as well. As the drill progresses, the time between shots can be reduced to 1 second and then even more quickly should your keeper master both the 2 and 1 second delays.
Coaching Points
The idea here is for you keeper to commit to a pattern of movement when they cannot see. Obviously, if the keeper is able to see, like when the attacking team attempts to set up again for example, then the keeper can take the time to set up for what they can see, however, the fact remains too many goals are scored on the back post because the keeper, especially young ones, is trying to figure out where the shot is coming from( and going too) when they simply have too little time and too much space to cover. Combine this commitment with a defense which refuses to give up the center of the net and your side will allow fewer goals, but it all starts with the keeper understanding how to make the “blind” saves. Good luck!
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
Don’t Get Mugged on Corners
By Mike Smith –
Something which is more and more common these days, at least in my neck of the woods, is the instant shielding of the keeper by the attacking team on corners. While for me this tactic skirts the edge of legality sometimes, if done within the boundaries of the laws of the game and combined with an accurate service it can absolutely nullify the keeper’s chances of winning the ball in the air. So what can really be done if this is happening to your keeper? The answer is two-fold and involves the early placement of defenders around the goalie combined with the screening of the actual kick. Here is what I mean:
“It” is almost as simple as shown above, article over. Seriously, usually teams which crash the keeper are placing the ball well. A corner kick is just like any other free kick and can be shielded 10 yds away. I have a team in my region who plans on beating teams by creating corners and making good services to a keeper who is, as I have been calling it “ getting mugged”. Simply placing a player in the vision and line of the service will cause problems. Also, while we all stand players on the near and far post there is nothing stopping us from adding a couple more players into the mix as a “ wall”. I have had success placing two additional players on the line who, when combined with the keeper taking space, can guarantee room to move.
As shown above, even with the keeper fully screened, the extra players on the line can step away and let the keeper in should he/she need the space. Also, while it seems like a nerve racking concept, the extra players on the line are in a better position to come forward and win the ball going away from goal rather than attacking their own net. Additionally, even if the attacking players step right up on the line, with little room to move it will take the most accurate of flicks to do damage, and this depends on the quality of the service, which remember, is being obstructed.
As shown above, even with 6 in the box for the attacking side, there are few marking issues. Note the attacking player ( black ) under the red arrow. IF this is the target player they will want a run in so there will be space. This run in is challenged by the defending player ( yellow ) marked with the red arrow.
Set Up
The best way to see if this is something which can work for your team is to set it up at practice and run it. Your keeper is in charge of the placement of the players and can tell them whether to move, step up or hold their line. Communication and leadership from the keeper is the key to success here. 7 attackers challenge 7 defenders plus the keeper in the penalty box. The only rules are that 4 defenders start on the line, two attackers bracket the goalie and one defender shields the kick. Teams of attackers and defenders, plus additional keepers can rotate in and out after a set number of attempts.
Coaching Points
The coach should be concerned with the communication between the keeper and the extra defenders on the line. I have run this several times over the years and what usually ends up happening is the players bracketing the keeper step away for a better run up as the service is usually an issue because of the obstruction. Once the ball is played, the defender shielding the service can step in, and I have found it additionally useful to have a defender out near the server in case a short, or dummy corner is taken. Even if this isn’t something which you feel will work in the game, it is an excellent keeper communication / leadership activity.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
Game Ready GK Warm Up
By Mike Smith –
One of the tell-tale signs of good team is how they warm up their goalies prior to a game. Good teams ( coaches ) understand practice activity and pre game activities are, or at least should be, similar but different animals. Especially in youth sports, practices are a mix of individual skill training, tactical awareness training , teamwork/ gamesmanship and match specific training. During pre-game however, the plan should already be in place, the skill work should be done and the focus is more about being warm and loose and prepared to use the skills needed to win the game.
This is especially true with the keeper. So while I see tons of pre-game “ ground” exercises used as warm ups – (which are fine as the INITIAL warm up)- and tons of pre-game 1 v 1 shooting – what about the rest of it? How many keeper warm ups also include – pks, corner kicks, free kicks ( including working with a wall ), punching vs parrying vs catching, handling services and distributions? Here is a good pre-game warm up which will not only “ train” your keeper, but also get them ready for the match at hand.
Set Up
As shown above, this progression helps the keeper deal with many of the common shots they will face during a match. Starting at the top right, have a player – usually one of your “assisters” slide the ball across the goal to the opposite side. The keeper should try to smother this. Working down clockwise, have an intermediate player chip a ball in so the keeper can catch/punch/parry the ball. The shot from the corner of the 18 should be a rocket driven hard to the far post. Next, a penalty is taken and then the progression is continued around the other side continuously progressing from right to left and left to right. In just 15 minutes or so, after the keepers initial stretch and warm up, the keeper can face 5- 10 shots, services and penalties from several common game related angles.
Progression
As shown above work with a corner kick to start the next progression, with a defender on each post and two crashing attackers once the keeper has handled a couple free services.
As shown above have the two defenders and corner attacker step out to make a 3 man wall, which the attacker just outside the corner of the 18 attempts to hit a free kick over ( the finishing attacker shown is optional). For the free kick taken from the center, the 3 man wall moves to the middle and is joined by the attacker who just hit the service to make a 4 man wall.
The progression is then continued around to the other side. Again, 5-10 minutes of this and the keeper will have faced more free kicks and corners than they may in the game. Finally, as shown below, have the keeper make a progression starting with a goal kick. The kick is initially taken out wide to a waiting defender, who the plays it right back for the keeper to scoop up and distribute ( throw or roll ) to another defender waiting on the opposite side. This defender plays the ball back for the keeper to reset for a goal kick, and the progression is made back around to the other side. This is done for 5 to 10 minutes as well.
Coaching Points
Including an initial warm up and stretch, this whole progression will take between 35 and 45 minutes. I usually have my teams arrive at a game 1 hour before match time which leaves an additional 10 – 15 minutes for traditional shooting drills as a final part of the warm up. Feel free to modify this as needed, using as few or as many players ( this is a great position specific warm up for all players) as desired. The main idea is to progress around to include shots from game like situations and this is a simple thing which will go a long way to not only train your keepers, but also make sure they are well ready for the match. For those who also prefer possession work pre-game, different groups can be used with each progression to make sure all the field players have helped warm up the keeper, worked on some match specific scenarios and gotten in plenty of passing and possession.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.