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**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 12:46 PM

Does the team he is on listen to his marking instructions? If the team follows his lead and reacts to how he reads the game then playing for a "weaker" team will not really be that much an issue. In fact it might be a positive because developing a GK is very much about experience and seeing as many attacking and scoring solutions as possible. His growth is more about how he reacts to those attacking and scoring solutions than it is about him stopping shots. As long as he is a capable shot stopper and doesn't concede soft goals, his goalkeeping training sessions should give him plenty of work on his shot stopping technique and other mechanics. It's usually the tactical work that keepers do that separates the wheat from the chaff as they get older.

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 01:39 PM

Why wouldn't the A team carry two keepers? Especially if they are close in ability.

Talk to the DOC about the possibility for next year. If they say no you know where you stand. Personally a one keeper team is waiting for issues.

Also the most important thing at the young age is to have a full time keeper coach. If you have that you are great. If not look elsewhere

Finally it's a good learning experience to get a lot of shots. However, it's a better learning experience when you are playing against strong competition. The play is faster, the shots harder and they have more shots in their arsenal.

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Does the team he is on listen to his marking instructions? If the team follows his lead and reacts to how he reads the game then playing for a "weaker" team will not really be that much an issue. In fact it might be a positive because developing a GK is very much about experience and seeing as many attacking and scoring solutions as possible. His growth is more about how he reacts to those attacking and scoring solutions than it is about him stopping shots. As long as he is a capable shot stopper and doesn't concede soft goals, his goalkeeping training sessions should give him plenty of work on his shot stopping technique and other mechanics. It's usually the tactical work that keepers do that separates the wheat from the chaff as they get older.

Thanks for the feedback. I'd say the team mostly listens to him. When they don't, it's not a matter of trust but usually a matter of panic play on the players part. Like waiting too long to send the ball back and kicking it out of bounds instead. So I worry that he's losing development opportunities by playing on a weaker team. But I sincerely appreciate your thoughts.

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Why wouldn't the A team carry two keepers? Especially if they are close in ability.

Talk to the DOC about the possibility for next year. If they say no you know where you stand. Personally a one keeper team is waiting for issues.

Also the most important thing at the young age is to have a full time keeper coach. If you have that you are great. If not look elsewhere

Finally it's a good learning experience to get a lot of shots. However, it's a better learning experience when you are playing against strong competition. The play is faster, the shots harder and they have more shots in their arsenal.

There's more to being a good keeper than just blocking shots. Agree with the above poster that if he wants to further develop as a keeper he should be at a club that values keepers and develops them with good GK training. Most clubs might give it one day/week but really it should be at least 2 - and by someone highly qualified. Best scenario is the trainer comes and watches games a much as possible and gives constructive feedback.

Also agree that as they get older you really need to have two GKs. The team can get screwed if the sole keeper is injured or even just has an unavoidable conflict. There are pros to be the only keeper, but I'd rather see a keeper share responsibilities while getting good training and playing good competition vs playing weaker competition and poor training. He's at a good age to make such a move, but if you do make sure to discuss the issue of PT with the club and GK trainer. Some clubs believe in equal PT for keepers (but not field players) because they want to develop two strong keepers. Others may have good training but your GK may never see the field.

PS: if possible continue playing travel as a field player (or middle school at least). Foot skills are critical. If he can't at least he does have a good foundation. Lots of keepers have rarely played the field and it starts to show as they get older.

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Why wouldn't the A team carry two keepers? Especially if they are close in ability.

Talk to the DOC about the possibility for next year. If they say no you know where you stand. Personally a one keeper team is waiting for issues.

Also the most important thing at the young age is to have a full time keeper coach. If you have that you are great. If not look elsewhere

Finally it's a good learning experience to get a lot of shots. However, it's a better learning experience when you are playing against strong competition. The play is faster, the shots harder and they have more shots in their arsenal.

The A team has a keeper who is better at keep than on the field. They have a backup field player who is also an ok keeper. The club does have keeper training. Neither of the A keepers go. It's possible they train elsewhere.

It's also possible my son moves up but not likely given how I've seen things run at the club. I've talked to the DOC in the past about other things and his response has always been that it's up to the coaches. We have a good relationship with the current coach. The A coach wants nothing to do with the B players. Coaching assignments for next year have not been announced yet.

Thanks for the response.

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

The A team has a keeper who is better at keep than on the field. They have a backup field player who is also an ok keeper. The club does have keeper training. Neither of the A keepers go. It's possible they train elsewhere.

It's also possible my son moves up but not likely given how I've seen things run at the club. I've talked to the DOC in the past about other things and his response has always been that it's up to the coaches. We have a good relationship with the current coach. The A coach wants nothing to do with the B players. Coaching assignments for next year have not been announced yet.

Thanks for the response.

My son went full time keeper at U12 with two keeper practices weekly. Formal GK Practice is where you lay the groundwork. Games are gravy

Personally I would shop around now for a strong keeper program. If you make the A team where you are at you will have options. If not you will know where you stand

Also never forget that their is a demand for good keepers.

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

There's more to being a good keeper than just blocking shots. Agree with the above poster that if he wants to further develop as a keeper he should be at a club that values keepers and develops them with good GK training. Most clubs might give it one day/week but really it should be at least 2 - and by someone highly qualified. Best scenario is the trainer comes and watches games a much as possible and gives constructive feedback.

Also agree that as they get older you really need to have two GKs. The team can get screwed if the sole keeper is injured or even just has an unavoidable conflict. There are pros to be the only keeper, but I'd rather see a keeper share responsibilities while getting good training and playing good competition vs playing weaker competition and poor training. He's at a good age to make such a move, but if you do make sure to discuss the issue of PT with the club and GK trainer. Some clubs believe in equal PT for keepers (but not field players) because they want to develop two strong keepers. Others may have good training but your GK may never see the field.

PS: if possible continue playing travel as a field player (or middle school at least). Foot skills are critical. If he can't at least he does have a good foundation. Lots of keepers have rarely played the field and it starts to show as they get older.

Thanks for the response and advice. Field time is one thing we've definitely pushed into his head. Which is why it's a toss up staying at our club. He can play MS if he does. If we go elsewhere, the travel time might put MS out. Plus I know some clubs are extremely strict about missing practices etc.

Play time is def another consideration. Right now he plays 100% of the game. Not sure how he'd feel about 50% and no field time.

All that being said. He goes to a small school where he's sure to make the MS and HS teams and the play is only so so. So that's another issue. Skip mediocre MS for a better club?

Our GK coach changes seasonally and does not go to games. Some have been great and some have been ok. My son also does RDS GK for extra training. Can anyone list a club where the GK coach observes games?

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

The A team has a keeper who is better at keep than on the field. They have a backup field player who is also an ok keeper. The club does have keeper training. Neither of the A keepers go. It's possible they train elsewhere.

It's also possible my son moves up but not likely given how I've seen things run at the club. I've talked to the DOC in the past about other things and his response has always been that it's up to the coaches. We have a good relationship with the current coach. The A coach wants nothing to do with the B players. Coaching assignments for next year have not been announced yet.

Thanks for the response.

Contact the GK trainer(s) at club(s) that have a good reputation for GK development and ask to have your son attend a few training sessions there. The trainer can better assess his skills/see where he might fit in the club. Typically then the trainer will make recommendations to the coaches at the club when it's tryout time as to where a new prospect would fit best. If he's offered a B team spot don't sweat it if the club really is committed to their keepers. A good GK trainer fights for his keepers and acts as an intermediary if there's ever any issues with a coach. Your situation is typical at many clubs - it gets tough for B team players to be moved up without switching clubs. They write them off, rightly and wrongly. Just make sure you do your research before making a move because it might be a worse situation.

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

My son went full time keeper at U12 with two keeper practices weekly. Formal GK Practice is where you lay the groundwork. Games are gravy

Personally I would shop around now for a strong keeper program. If you make the A team where you are at you will have options. If not you will know where you stand

Also never forget that their is a demand for good keepers.

Is he still U12 or older? If older, how did the transition to U13 and bigger nets go? My son is 5'2". Somewhat tall for his age. But the U13 net is still very big for him now and it's a completely different game. So I have no idea how he'll transition. He is outgrowing the U12 net and field though.

Thanks for the response and advice.

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Thanks for the response and advice. Field time is one thing we've definitely pushed into his head. Which is why it's a toss up staying at our club. He can play MS if he does. If we go elsewhere, the travel time might put MS out. Plus I know some clubs are extremely strict about missing practices etc.

Play time is def another consideration. Right now he plays 100% of the game. Not sure how he'd feel about 50% and no field time.

All that being said. He goes to a small school where he's sure to make the MS and HS teams and the play is only so so. So that's another issue. Skip mediocre MS for a better club?

Our GK coach changes seasonally and does not go to games. Some have been great and some have been ok. My son also does RDS GK for extra training. Can anyone list a club where the GK coach observes games?

Fighting for PT as a keeper is a reality as they get older. The sooner they get used to that idea the better. Some coaches play head games with keepers. Mine had a rough adjustment going from the star GK at a B level club to fighting for time at an A level (with far superior GK training) but he did adjust and became a better player because of it. It also prepped him well for HS where you're not just competing against kids your own age but full grown man-boys.

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Contact the GK trainer(s) at club(s) that have a good reputation for GK development and ask to have your son attend a few training sessions there. The trainer can better assess his skills/see where he might fit in the club. Typically then the trainer will make recommendations to the coaches at the club when it's tryout time as to where a new prospect would fit best. If he's offered a B team spot don't sweat it if the club really is committed to their keepers. A good GK trainer fights for his keepers and acts as an intermediary if there's ever any issues with a coach. Your situation is typical at many clubs - it gets tough for B team players to be moved up without switching clubs. They write them off, rightly and wrongly. Just make sure you do your research before making a move because it might be a worse situation.

Thank you! That's my biggest fear. That the situation ends up being worse. But it's been almost 2 yrs at the current club and my gut says he's outgrowing his current spot. I've been looking around at other clubs and have contacted a few GK coaches/directors for more info. They haven't been rude, but some haven't been very welcoming either. Is that typical? I'm sure they get tons of emails.

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Fighting for PT as a keeper is a reality as they get older. The sooner they get used to that idea the better. Some coaches play head games with keepers. Mine had a rough adjustment going from the star GK at a B level club to fighting for time at an A level (with far superior GK training) but he did adjust and became a better player because of it. It also prepped him well for HS where you're not just competing against kids your own age but full grown man-boys.

Why do coaches do that with GK? I don't get it. My son's coach is pretty good but even he puts unrealistic demands on him at times to try and make up for the weaker play of the team. The current A team coach seems anti GK.

I don't get it. It's a valuable position and my son has kept his team IN some games. But he rarely gets a pat on the back. He can save 15 shots. No big deal. Another kid gets one goal and the coach and parents go crazy.

What age did your son make the switch?

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Thank you! That's my biggest fear. That the situation ends up being worse. But it's been almost 2 yrs at the current club and my gut says he's outgrowing his current spot. I've been looking around at other clubs and have contacted a few GK coaches/directors for more info. They haven't been rude, but some haven't been very welcoming either. Is that typical? I'm sure they get tons of emails.

They are swamped this time of year and with the calendar year changes it's probably even worse. Ask to bring your son in for an evaluation - don't wait for tryouts. They'll find room for a quality candidate. As the other poster said even if it's B team that isn't a bad thing - good training, better competition, and a chance to move up over time (things change all the time with injuries, kids leaving, etc). It sounds like you know what you have to do, but I also know taking that leap of faith can be scary. We did it at the same age - VERY stressful as my D was "happy" where she was but wanted something better. But once we did it we never looked back. Good luck!

**Unregistered** · 04-25-2016, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Is he still U12 or older? If older, how did the transition to U13 and bigger nets go? My son is 5'2". Somewhat tall for his age. But the U13 net is still very big for him now and it's a completely different game. So I have no idea how he'll transition. He is outgrowing the U12 net and field though.

Thanks for the response and advice.

My son is now U15. He plays on a regional NPL team.

I think he handled the transition fine, the field is bigger and more players result in more long distance shots

The bigger transition is the larger ball. It's harder to catch. Technique becomes more important.

Also, On the bigger field goal kicks and distributions (foot and throwing) are more important.

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When To Make a Club Switch as a GK

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