Goalkeeping Curriculum

Director of Goalkeeping
Stacy DeLonge
Cap City Athletic Goalkeeping Philosophy
At Cap City Athletic, we believe in developing the whole person through the game of soccer. Our
specific goalkeeping philosophy is much the same. We believe, like field players, that in order to enjoy
and excel within the position, the instructional focus should be on the four pillars of the game:
Technical, Tactical, Physical and Psychological.

At the younger ages, fun, safety and technique are emphasized while at the intermediate and older age
groups, decision making, mentality/confidence and physical presence will be the concentration. Our
staff recognizes that attention to detail in all areas of goalkeeping is what will set our goalkeepers
apart.

Programming: Technical Training, Team Training and Match

Training
Technical Training

Cap City goalkeepers will be split into four technical training groups according to age. These groups are
as follows: Basic (U9-U10), Beginner (U11-U12), Intermediate (U13-U14) and Advanced (High School).
Multiple technical training sessions will be provided for each of these age groups. For more
information and a comprehensive breakdown of what each level entails, please see page 3.

Team Training

The Cap City goalkeeping staff will also attend team training sessions to provide both technical and
tactical instruction within the team practice environment. Skills focused on are: proper warm up
techniques, decision making, communication and organization within the small sided game.

Match Training

Cap City goalkeepers will also have staff attending home matches. Staff will help with proper
goalkeeper warm ups as well as pre-game, halftime and post game analysis with a focus on game
management.

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Four Technical Training Levels of Goalkeeping

BEGINNER LEVEL – U10 and Younger

The BEGINNER LEVEL is the youngest age group of goalkeeping training that is offered by Cap City. This
is the first level where an introduction of proper “save” technique through basic body coordination
movements including footwork and handling will be taught. Self protection within the position will be
emphasized as well as technique. An overall FUN and SAFE environment!

BASIC LEVEL – U11 and U12

The BASIC LEVEL is the next age group where keepers are introduced to a more extensive training
environment. Basic communication, distribution and positioning will be taught as well as an
introduction to tactical awareness. An elementary understanding of the goalkeeping mentality and
presence is formed. Again, the primary focus will be on high repetitions – with an emphasis on
technique first, save second.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL – U13 and U14

In the INTERMEDIATE LEVEL - Cap City goalkeepers are put into an environment that includes an added
amount of technical saves that require more skill. Tactical application is taught through proper decision
making. Set pieces and verbal organization are introduced as well. The focus at the Intermediate Level
is making the save, whether it be clean or scrappy. Physical fitness and strength are areas of emphasis
as well as the psychological aspect of the game – “short term” memory and mental skill development.

ADVANCED LEVEL – High School Age

The ADVANCED LEVEL is the last youth group of goalkeeping before the college game. The focus in this
level is decision making (i.e. shot “saver” vs shot “stopper” – or get the “hold” vs giving up a rebound).
A higher demand on tactical awareness and sophistication of shot saving is placed on the ADVANCED
LEVEL goalkeeper. Organization and reading the game are emphasized to reduce shot stopping
opportunities. Physical fitness and strength training are stressed as well as learning how to handle pre-
game, game and post-game goalkeeper psychology.

ADVANCED LEVEL Goalkeepers will all receive one on one personal, sit down meetings with our Cap
City GK Staff focusing on High School/College Goals.

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Introduction to “Cap City Goalkeeping Concepts” Chart
Beginner Basic Intermediate Advanced
Technical
Scoop X
Front Smother X
Basket Catch X X
Contour X X
High Contour & Side Contour X X
Collapse Dive/Kick Out Save X X
Extension Dive X X
Tipping X X
Punch/Box X X
Parrying: Heal/Finger Tip X X
Deflection/Reaction X X
Breakaway X X X
Thru Ball X X X
Crosses/Serves X X
Passing X X X
Punt X X
Drop Kick X X
Bowl X X X X
Baseball X X
Sling X X
Goal kick X
Driven Ball X X
Tactical
Distribution X X X
Angles X X
Game Positioning
Decision Making X X X
Communication X X X
Organization X X X
3-Goal Situation X X
Anticipation X X X X
Reading the Game X X X
Dead Ball Org/Set Piece/Walls X X
Physical
Agility/Plyo-metrics X X X
Balance/Coordination X X
Reaction Time
Core, Leg, Upper Strength X X X X
Anaerobic Fitness X X X X
Aerobic Fitness X X X
Psychological
Work Rate X X
Presence X X
GK Mentality X X
Mental Recovery X X
Tone/Urgency
Non-Verbal Communication X X X X

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In Detail: BEGINNER LEVEL – U10 and Younger

The BEGINNER LEVEL is the youngest age group of goalkeeping training that is offered by Cap City. This
is the first level where an introduction of proper “save” technique through basic body coordination
movements including footwork and handling will be taught. Self protection within the position will be
emphasized as well as technique. An overall FUN and SAFE environment!

Technical Skills to be Learned:

1. Scoops
2. Basket Catches
3. Contour Catches
4. High Contour (High Balls)
5. Side Contour (Collapse Dives)
6. Collapse Dives
7. Passes and Back Passes
8. Punts
9. Bowl Throw/ Sling Throw

Tactical Skills to be Learned:

1. Basic Communication
a. KEEPER!
b. AWAY! CLEAR!

Physical Skills to be Learned:

1. Agility
a. Fast Footwork/Cones
b. Hurdles
2. Balance and Coordination
a. One/Two foot balancing skills
b. Hand Eye/Foot Eye Coordination Skills

Psychological Skills to be Learned:

1. Work Rate
a. An introduction to the expectation of how hard to work as a goalkeeper.

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In Detail: BASIC LEVEL – U11 and U12

The BASIC LEVEL is the next age group where keepers are introduced to a more extensive training
environment. Basic communication, distribution and positioning will be taught as well as an
introduction to tactical awareness. An elementary understanding of the goalkeeping mentality and
presence is formed. Again, the primary focus will be on high repetitions – with an emphasis on
technique first, save second.

Technical Skills to be Learned:

1. Front Smother 6. Parrying (fingertips)

2. Side Contour (for collapse dives) 7. Breakaways
3. Collapse Dives 8. Sling Throw
4. Kick Out Saves 9. Goal Kick
5. Parrying (heal of hand)

Tactical Skills to be Learned:

1. Angles
2. Game Positioning
3. Communication
4. Organization
5. Anticipation/Reading the Game

Physical Skills to be Learned:

1. Agility b. Hand Eye/Foot Eye Coordination

a. Fast Footwork/Cones Skills
b. Hurdles 3. Reaction Time
2. Balance and Coordination 4. Core Strength
a. One/Two foot balancing skills

Psychological Skills to be Learned:

1. Work Rate
2. Presence
3. GK Mentality
4. Mental Recovery
5. Verbal Communication – Tone
a. None Verbal Communication – Body Language An introduction to the expectation of
how hard to work as a goalkeeper.

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In Detail: INTERMEDIATE LEVEL – U13 and U14

In the INTERMEDIATE LEVEL - Cap City goalkeepers are put into an environment that includes an added
amount of technical saves that require more skill. Tactical application is taught through proper decision
making. Set pieces and verbal organization are introduced as well. The focus at the Intermediate Level
is making the save, whether it be clean or scrappy. Physical fitness and strength are areas of emphasis
as well as the psychological aspect of the game – “short term” memory and mental skill development.

Technical Skills to be Learned:

1. Kick Out Save 6. Breakaways

2. Extension Diving/Power Dives 7. Drop Kicks/ Goal Kicks
3. Tipping 8. Baseball Throw
4. Punching/Boxing 9. Crosses and Serves
5. Deflection/Reaction Techniques

Tactical Skills to be Learned:

1. Distribution 6. 3-Goal Situation

2. Game Positioning 7. Anticipation
3. Decision Making 8. Reading the Game
4. Communication 9. Dead Ball Organization
5. Organization

Physical Skills to be Learned:

1. Agility 5. Core Strength

2. Plyo-metrics 6. Anaerobic Fitness
3. Reaction Time 7. Aerobic Fitness
4. Lower/Upper Body Strength

Psychological Skills to be Learned:

1. Work Rate 4. Mental Recovery

2. Presence 5. Verbal Communication
3. GK Mentality 6. Non-Verbal Communication

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In Detail: ADVANCED LEVEL – High School Age

Technical Skills to be Learned:

1. Advanced Shot Stopping 4. Crosses and Serves (extending range)

2. Deflection/Reaction Saves 5. Baseball Throw
3. Breakaways and Thru Balls 6. Goal Kick

Tactical Skills to be Learned:

1. Distribution (game management) 5. 3-Goal Situation

2. Decision making 6. Anticipation
3. Communication 7. Reading the Game
4. Organization 8. Dead Ball Organization

Physical Skills to be Learned:

1. Agility 5. Core Strength

2. Plyo-Metrics 6. Anaerobic Fitness
3. Reaction Time 7. Aerobic Fitness
4. Lower/Upper Body Strength

Psychological Skills to be Learned:

1. Work Rate 4. Mental Recovery

2. Presence 5. Verbal Communication
3. GK Mentality 6. Non-Verbal Communication

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Team training and match evaluation should focus and incorporate
the following:

TECHNIQUE DISTRIBUTION TACTICAL PHYSICAL PSYCOLOGICAL

Scoop Passing Distribution Agility Work Rate
Front Smother Punt Angles Plyo-metrics Presense
Basket Catch Goal Kick Game Positioning Balance/ GK Mentality
Coordination
Contour Bowl Decision Making Reaction Time Mental Recovery
High/Side Contour Sling Throw Communication Lower/Upper Body Verbal
Strength Communication
Collapse Dives Drop Kick Organization Core Strength Non-Verbal
Communication
Kick Out Save Baseball Throw 3-Goal Situation Anaerobic Fitness
Extension Dive Anticipation
Tipping Reading the Game
Punching/Boxing Dead Ball
Ogranization
Parrying
Deflection/Reaction
Save
Break Aways
Through Ball
Crosses/Serves

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