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You're the goalkeeper for Brazil. The game's tied. England has a penalty shot. Can you stop David Beckham from scoring? According to Shel Brodsgaard's Soccer: Guarding the Goal (Bluefield/Raincoast $24.95), you've got no choice but to guess 'n' leap.
"International stars are capable of placing the ball into the most precise spot in the goal,"; says Brodsgaard, goalkeeper coach for the Canadian Women's World Cup team. "These high-level goalkeepers prepare by reading newspapers or scouting reports to find out where shooters like to place a ball.";
In the lower echelons of the 'beautiful game,' players have less accuracy and the pressure is on the shooter. At the amateur level, "it's a common mistake to guess where a player is going to shoot and then dive too soon. Stand your ground and rely on your reactions to make the save.";
A former pro goalie in Canada (Edmonton Brickmen, Winnipeg Fury), United States (Tacoma Stars) and Denmark (Hvidovre, first division), Brodsgaard has one more tip for goalies in a shootout situation. "Stare at the shooter with a smile on your face.";
Conversely, if a goal is scored, the goalie must conceal his or her disappointment. The goalie must be supportive, dynamic and stable. "If a defender is not confident in a goalkeeper's ability,"; says veteran Canadian national team member Ian Bridge, "they will be anxious to stop or block all shots. This over-aggressive or over-eager attitude will enable a good attacking player to beat defenders."; Some of the tips in Guarding the Goal apply equally well for goalies in other sports; but most are more specific to soccer. Bring a hand towel into the back of the net on rainy days to dry the palms of your gloves during breaks in the action.
Featuring more than 100 photos and illustrations, Guarding the Goal is a step-by-step guide to warms-ups and drills for community coaches and beginner goalies aged 8 to 11 years; intermediate goalies aged 12 to 14; and advanced 'keepers' from 15 to 17. A 40-minute video is also available.
Shel Brodsgaard, 32, grew up in Victoria where he operates Island Keeper Clinic. He recently mentored Erin McLeod who led Canada's FIFA Under-19 Women's squad to a silver medal at last year's world championship.
(SUMMER 2003 BCBW)
"International stars are capable of placing the ball into the most precise spot in the goal,"; says Brodsgaard, goalkeeper coach for the Canadian Women's World Cup team. "These high-level goalkeepers prepare by reading newspapers or scouting reports to find out where shooters like to place a ball.";
In the lower echelons of the 'beautiful game,' players have less accuracy and the pressure is on the shooter. At the amateur level, "it's a common mistake to guess where a player is going to shoot and then dive too soon. Stand your ground and rely on your reactions to make the save.";
A former pro goalie in Canada (Edmonton Brickmen, Winnipeg Fury), United States (Tacoma Stars) and Denmark (Hvidovre, first division), Brodsgaard has one more tip for goalies in a shootout situation. "Stare at the shooter with a smile on your face.";
Conversely, if a goal is scored, the goalie must conceal his or her disappointment. The goalie must be supportive, dynamic and stable. "If a defender is not confident in a goalkeeper's ability,"; says veteran Canadian national team member Ian Bridge, "they will be anxious to stop or block all shots. This over-aggressive or over-eager attitude will enable a good attacking player to beat defenders."; Some of the tips in Guarding the Goal apply equally well for goalies in other sports; but most are more specific to soccer. Bring a hand towel into the back of the net on rainy days to dry the palms of your gloves during breaks in the action.
Featuring more than 100 photos and illustrations, Guarding the Goal is a step-by-step guide to warms-ups and drills for community coaches and beginner goalies aged 8 to 11 years; intermediate goalies aged 12 to 14; and advanced 'keepers' from 15 to 17. A 40-minute video is also available.
Shel Brodsgaard, 32, grew up in Victoria where he operates Island Keeper Clinic. He recently mentored Erin McLeod who led Canada's FIFA Under-19 Women's squad to a silver medal at last year's world championship.
(SUMMER 2003 BCBW)
Submitted on June 2, 2003 in By David.
