The calibre of goalkeeper is key to the success or failure of any team. Add a good goalkeeper to an average team and it becomes a competitive team, but put an average goalkeeper in a good team and that team becomes average.
The goalkeeper is unique and requires specialised training methods, but at the same time he is a team member and must be incorporated in the overall team preparation. The goalkeeper is the eyes of the defence and should be the organiser of the defensive line.
Inglewood United coach David Whalley knows the importance of the position and how to improve those that fill it. In the concluding part of our question and answer session, Whalley provides an insight into how he works with Inglewood’s current goalkeeping stocks.
What does your role at Inglewood involve?
My main role was initially to source goalkeepers for the senior teams and then to look after them. Alex Dunn, Riley Stephenson, Mitch Haywood and Seb Stankovic are at various stages in their careers and my approach to improving each one is slightly different.
The ideal scenario would be to have good technical goalkeepers coming through the junior ranks to senior level on a consistent basis. The club has been very proactive regarding this and have appointed Riley Stephenson, who is a qualified goalkeeping coach, to work with the junior ‘keepers and ensure they have the necessary techniques and confidence needed to move up to the next level.
Philosophy-wise, I have sessions that I believe the ‘keepers need to consistently work on and I also speak to Alex and Riley regarding what I have observed in their games. This could be a situation or technique that was done well or something that can be improved upon and will be worked into one of the sessions during the week.
Unfortunately, I do not get the chance to watch Mitch or Seb’s games due to my other commitments but I do make sure I speak with their coaches about any issues that have arisen during the games. That feedback helps me prepare what I’ll work on the following week with Mitch and Seb in readiness for the next game.
Alex has been around for a few years and is a good ‘keeper to work with. He has a good understanding of the game and this year has started to add a little bit more consistency. His decision-making has improved and this has flowed into him bringing a higher level of confidence to his game.
Alex is now making important saves at critical times in the game, his last minute save against Perth SC was exceptional and helped to get us three points. To me, making that save at that moment and to help keep Inglewood on top of the league was great to see. Having said that, he knows that he still has other aspects to still work on.
Riley is a young ‘keeper that I have known for several years and I was happy when he decided to join us at the beginning of the season. He is a good size for a ‘keeper and is now starting to realize the ability that he has always possessed.
He distributes well, is a good shot-stopper, is improving with dealing with crosses and his communication with his defenders is very good. More importantly he is now coming out of his shell and seems to be enjoying the inclusive environment at Inglewood.
Mitch and Seb currently rotate in the Under-18s with Mitch getting most of the game time. Seb for example comes from a Futsal background and is fantastic at making ‘block saves’ but understands that he needs to work on other parts of his game. Mitch is a strong young ‘keeper who also has a lot of potential and is working hard to improve.
On game day I speak to Riley at half-time of the Under-20s game to offer advice or encouragement depending on the state of the game, and then I warm-up Alex for the first team. I place a big emphasise on concentrating for the whole game and not switching off – strikers are judged on goals scored and ‘keepers are judged on goals conceded and clean sheets!
What does a typical training session involve for Inglewood’s goalkeepers?
All goalkeepers are required to be ready for training by 6.15pm every Tuesday and Thursday. The warm-up always involves plenty of opportunities for dealing with the ball with the hands and feet. I try to design the warm-up to use the actions and techniques that are going to be used in the session topic.
For example, if we are working on dealing with crosses there will be plenty of balls thrown into the air to be dealt with. This gives me the chance to see if the ‘keepers are jumping off the correct foot, catching at the highest safest point, watching the ball, etc.
You don’t really want to be coaching in the warm-up but reminders of what to do correctly are mentioned whilst they are doing their dynamic stretches. The main session often goes for about 45 minutes and as the season has progressed the ‘keepers understanding of what is required has improved.
After a quick debrief the ‘keepers then go back to their squads for 45 minutes and are involved in small-sided games or shape work. I watch these games and offer any coaching points if needed. Mostly these games are used by myself to observe the ‘keepers understanding of the game and coaching is kept to a minimum.
Since the current first team squad has so many outstanding players these small-sided games are played at a fast tempo and really challenge all the players decision making. The ‘keepers are having to move quickly, be still when the ball is hit then make the appropriate saves or whatever decision is needed to deal with the situation.
