We have assembled a fantastic group of goalkeeping coaches with plenty of coaching and playing experience. Staff members include:

BJ Callaghan-FC Delco Head Goalkeeping Coach
FC DELCO Academy Staff Coach
Villanova University Men’s Assistant Soccer Coach (Current); Previous coaching experience includes: Ursinus College Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach; and Assistant Women’s Coach at Villanova University and St. Joseph’s University; and Pennsylvania and Region I ODP
Montgomery Soccer Club U-12 Head Coach
Playing Experience: Ursinus College
USSF A License, NSCAA National GK Diploma

Stacey Adams:
FC DELCO U-16 Girls Assistant Coach
FC DELCO U-15 Girls Assistant Coach
Rutgers University Assistant Women’s Coach (Current); Previous coaching experience includes: West Virginia University Assistant Women’s Coach; University at Albany Assistant Women’s Coach; Loyola College of Maryland Graduate Assistant Women’s Coach
Playing Experience: West Virginia University
NSCAA National Diploma, NSCAA State GK Diploma

Mike Curry:
FC DELCO Goalkeeping Academy Director
FC DELCO Academy Staff Coach
NSCAA Staff Coach
Previous coaching experience includes: Johns Hopkins University Men’s GK Coach; George Washington University Women’s GK Coach; Maryland, Pennsylvania and Region-I ODP; and Adidas ESP Goalkeeping Coach
Playing Experience: U.S. Naval Academy, University of Baltimore
NSCAA Regional and Advanced Regional Diplomas, NSCAA National GK Diploma

Conor Shilcock-Elliott:
Playing Experience: FC DELCO Black II (National Champions 2001, National Finalists 2000); Quinnipiac University; San Fernando Valley Quakes, PDL

Jamie Dansingburg:
Previous coaching experience includes: WPSL Rochester Reigns; Hartwick College Head Women’s Soccer Coach; and Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at: Syracuse University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, William Smith College and Washington & Lee University; and Region-I ODP
Playing Experience: W-League; Ithaca Heartbreakers and Rochester Ravens; William Smith College
NSCAA National and Advanced National Diplomas

Dimension	Attributes	Overall Coaching Recommendations
Physical	§ Strong Hands § Recovery re: Agility, Flexibility, Quickness § Jumping § Strength and Endurance § Ability to Absorb Contact	þ Routine focus on fitness to ensure that our keepers can compete under all conditions.  þ Development activities include: improving hands and upper body strength to hold onto balls under contact; improving vertical jumping ability (i.e., legs and abdominals); and improving overall stamina, flexibility and agility to meet the demands of goalkeeping.
Technical	§ Shot Stopping re: Receiving, Parrying, and Boxing the Ball § Movement, Footwork and Balance § Body Alignment § Body Shape § Playing the Ball with the Feet § Positioning § Through Balls, Breakaway Saves § Crossed Balls	þ Spend considerable time on goalkeeper shot stopping technique. This includes regular focus on: o    Setting for shots with good alignment and the proper body shape. o    Keeping body shape beginning with proper placement of the “first step”. o    Always attacking the ball by maintaining a forward position and by “stealing space”. þ Develop technique for defending through balls and crossed balls. þ Routinely provide “quality shots” for the goalkeeper to defend during practice. Players “play as they train”. So, we need to ensure that our keepers are training in “game realistic” situations.
Tactical	§ Decision-making § “First Attacker” re: Distributions, Changing the Direction and Tempo of Play § Defending Set Plays § Awareness of Team Formations § Knowledge of the Game	þ Decision-making is the key to great goalkeeping. Coaches need to improve the keeper’s opportunities to learn and experience what works and what doesn’t in a repetitive, realistic environment. Some suggestions: o    Increase the intensity of keeper training. o    Make all training situations game realistic. o    Discuss game tactics and team strategy with your keeper. o    Routinely review set play considerations. þ Have your keepers watch and evaluate as many games as you can. They will learn a lot from watching.
Psychological	§ Leadership § Communication § Composure Under Pressure § Confidence and Courage § Presence	þ Communication is another attribute of great keepers. A confident, knowledgeable keeper who makes good decisions is more likely to communicate well. Some areas to focus on: o    Emphasize the importance of communication, “all the time, every time!” o    Have keepers maintain a “presence” both on and off the field. o    Demand that our keepers always lead by example. þ “Keeper confidence and composure is directly related to good decision-making and timely communication.”

 

 

Dimension	Coaching 12 – 14 Year Old Keepers	Coaching 15 – 18 Year Old Keepers
Physical	þ Considerable time needs to be spent with younger keepers on their physical development:  o    Increasing upper body strength o    Improving jumping technique o    Increasing agility and flexibility o    Improving quickness for recovery saves þ Make sure to use “age appropriate” balls and goals to ensure that younger keepers develop good habits early.	þ In addition to the requirements for younger keepers, older keeper development activities include: o    Improving hands and upper body strength to hold onto balls under contact; and o    Improving overall stamina, flexibility and agility to meet the demands of advanced goalkeeping. þ Incorporate and monitor the Nike SPARQ training program.
Technical	þ Spend considerable time on goalkeeper shot stopping technique. This includes regular focus on: o    Understanding good starting positions and “narrowing the angle”; o    Setting for shots with good alignment and the proper body shape; and o    Attacking the ball by maintaining a forward position and by “stealing space”. þ Develop diving technique with emphasis on effectiveness and safety. þ Develop kicking and throwing technique for both distance and accuracy.	þ Spend considerable time “maintaining” good goalkeeper shot stopping techniques.  In addition to good alignment, body shape, “first step” quickness and attacking the ball, older keepers need to be constantly put under “game realistic” pressure. þ Improve techniques for defending through balls and crossed balls. þ Routinely provide “quality shots” for the goalkeeper to defend during practice. Players “play as they train”. So, we need to ensure that our keepers are training in “game realistic” situations.
Tactical	þ Focus on simple tactical considerations: o    Understanding good starting positions; o    Breakaway saves o    Crossed ball saves o    Distribution o    Fundamentals of good defending principals and the relationship to the roles of the defenders and the goalkeeper. þ Develop a thorough understanding of the principals of defending the “defending third” and maintaining control of the penalty area.	þ Focus on more complex tactical considerations: o    Demonstrating an understanding of good starting positions. o    Practicing more complex situations for defending breakaway saves and crossed ball saves. o    Practicing distribution strategies as a “First Attacker” and changing the direction and tempo of play. o    Understanding defending principals and the relationship to the roles of the defenders and the goalkeeper. o    Practicing the defense of set plays. o    Understanding systems of play. þ Develop a thorough understanding of the principals of defending the “defending third” and maintaining control of the penalty area. þ Develop a broader understanding of team tactics and the ability to recognize and respond to constantly changing game situations.
Psychological	þ Communication is very important to younger keepers. Develop a goalkeeping language and the actions that are required when these words are used. Common examples include: o    “Keeper” o    “Step” o    “Away” o    “Clear” þ Provide opportunities for the keepers to assume leadership roles both on and off the field.	þ Communication is a necessity and must be a focal point of all training for older keepers. Emphasize the importance of communication, “all the time, every time!” þ Emphasize the need for composure under pressure. þ Provide opportunities for the keepers to assume leadership roles both on and off the field.