The Goalkeepers' Union

Glove Collection, Because, Hey -- Gloves

2012-01-24T16:52:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the Black Dog Wins

2012-01-13T14:51:00.005-05:00

Robert Enke's suicide in November 2009 shocked the football world and sent much of Germany into mourning for an enigmatic and brilliant goalkeeper the country had only just begun to get to know. Ronald Reng has written a powerful and important book detailing Robert's life and death and the vicious, intractable force of clinical depression.

This is not a review but a series of impressions. We've discussed the relationships between rival keepers here before, and these relationships played a compelling role in Enke's life. He was intimidated by the veteran Uwe Kamps as a young keeper at Borussia Monchengladbach, then formed a healthier, teacher-mentor relationship with young reserve Jose Moreira. Later, during a disastrous stint at Barcelona, he shared a kind of unspoken simpatico with Roberto Bonano, who, like Enke himself, felt misused by the Catalan giants. Finally, as he rebuilt his career at Hannover 96, he found himself thrust into intense competition for the Germany number one shirt with Rene Adler. Fresh off the Kahn-Lehmann feud that had lasted nearly a decade, fueled by the likes of Kicker and Bild Magazines. He didn't know what to make of Adler's friendliness, especially with the tabloids seeming to favor his rival, but in the end had to simply admit that Adler was "a sound guy."

Robert suffered only two depressive periods in his life, each lasting just a few months, but with the second proving fatal. Reng - who was a friend of Robert's - pulls off the impossible: he takes the reader's presumably healthy mind into the hopeless mire of the depressive's. For anyone who has dismissed a suicide as 'selfish', this is important to understanding how destructive this illness - and it is an illness - can be. Nobody blames someone for getting bone cancer, but society still doesn't understand when people with dysfunctional brains behave illogically. During his depressive periods, Robert saw no hope in anything. He couldn't see how loved he was, how successful. It didn't matter. All he experienced was profound physical exhaustion and an unendurable hopelessness.

There is, of course, the uncomfortable question of how being a goalkeeper affected Robert's mindset, explicated best by a disastrous Spanish Cup game for Barcelona which he saw as his last chance to make something of his career there. Pressure and nerves are part of the job, but certainly during his depressive periods, attempting to battle his illness while keeping it secret as a public personality and continuing to play at a high level would have been too much for anyone to bear. Some of the most difficult reading is the descriptions of Robert trying to force his way through the final few games of his life.

There is much more to the story and the book. There are lighter moments, many great goalkeeper lessons, and more than a little glove talk throughout (Reng clearly knows his gloves). It's a remarkable literary achievement on multiple levels.

Let's not forget that among everything else, Robert was a brilliant goalkeeper.

How Would You Fare?

2011-12-16T18:43:00.003-05:00

Which goalkeeper hasn't imagined it?

The team you support offers you a trial. You impress in training, but of course there's no seeing past the first team goalkeeper, be he Pepe Reina, Victor Valdes, Manuel Neuer, or, er, Leandro Chichizola (look, I'm a River Plate fan, okay?).

Now, let's imagine that on the morning of the derby, a very complicated series of events leads to the first team, reserve, and even youth goalkeepers being unavailable. Calls are made, special clearance is granted, and next thing you know, you're being kitted out to play. In an actual league game.

How is that going to go for you? Well, there's the dream, and there's the reality.

In the dream, we make save after save, pluck crosses from the air, maybe even set up a goal on the counter with a stylish side volley. It's still football, right? At whatever level, it's still a ball and a goal and twenty-two players. There are, perhaps, one or two complications.

The first, for me, is the speed of play. Goalkeeping is generally a reactive position; we watch the play develop and unfold before us, and react when we're brought into it. a keeper new to the top flight might find it all happening a bit fast. Oh sure, we watch games on TV and sometimes find them drab, staid affairs. But stand in goal in that same game, and chances are you'll find all the runs, the passing, the combination play, especially near your goal, happening at an astounding rate. The problems this might cause are many, but mostly positional. Balls over the top would be especially challenging. Not only is there a good chance you may struggle to anticipate the pass in the first place, but you'll also be dealing with faster players chasing after it. struggle at all with the first one and you can expect many, many more.

Next is the physical element. How will you cope at the first corner or set piece when you're crowded out by the likes of George Elokobi or Micah Richards? you don't have to be as big and strong as they are, but you'd better be strong enough to bounce back up if one of them runs you over.

Just push him out of the way.

Even if you aren't the biggest or strongest, surely your shot-stopping ability will keep the day from being a total catastrophe? It may well. But professional players strike a ball very differently to the rest of the world. They hit it with pace, with spin, with swerve. Footballs are lighter than ever and when pros put their foot through it, scary things can happen. If you aren't used to a steady diet of shots swerving viciously towards you, you again will be in for a long ninety minutes. Look what this shot does to Jussi Jaaskeleinen - and he's played over 400 games at this level.

Despite all these challenges, there is one thing you're going to have on your side: adrenalin. Adrenalin like you've never felt before, at least not on a football pitch. However strong you are, however quick your reflexes and explosive your leap, you're going to be a little bit stronger, quicker, and more explosive on the day. Your parasympathetic nervous system will go into overdrive, flooding your limbs with adrenalin. Assuming your defense plays out of their skin, you just may survive it. Probably not, but maybe.

But probably not.

Grip, Part 2: Guest Post by Richard Avis

2011-12-04T11:31:00.002-05:00

Regarding how we each interpret ‘grip’, KGI is impressed with feedback related to how many of you are conscious of a foams ‘forgiveness’; the potential for holding balls you probably should have coughed up. This is what KGI refers to as the, ’Fingertip Rescue’©. The KGI defines the Fingertip Rescue as that moment when the Glove : Ball Interface is distinguished by being the difference in securing a ball you thought was getting away from you. Your brain is signaling the ball is slipping through or riding up your hands or fingers, and you are
beginning to think, ‘uh-oh’, when you somehow get a hold. It’s the soccer version of a baseball ‘sno-cone’ catch.

These phenomena can be notably appreciable on some models, while rarely experienced on others. The Fingertip Rescue is a product of the foam performance (coefficient of friction), as related to how the glove is fabricated, as related to how the glove assigns its shape on your hands, as related to your receiving posture (biomechanics).

A given glove’s propensity to facilitate Fingertip Rescue’s is a sublime intangible that factors into our assessment of performance (be it consciously or subconsciously). I speak directly to Fingertip Rescue in some of my reviews. I recently evaluated a few gloves that were exceptional in this regard (a couple of the HO models and the Brine King 6X). On multiple occasions, I laughed out loud and shook my head because I was so impressed for having somehow held a ball I thought I had had absolutely no business controlling.

Any additional thoughts on the Fingertip Rescue?

What Grip Is and Isn't - Guest Post by Richard Avis

2011-12-02T10:06:00.005-05:00

You might think you're a glove expert. I might think I'm a glove expert. We're both wrong. Richard Avis is a glove expert. His credentials are too long to list here, but know this: he developed FingerSave for adidas, the Tiempo (now called Premier) and Vapor Grip3 for Nike, and the Umbro 'Webb' platform, among many other true innovations. He worked one-on-one with keepers such as Kasey Keller and Tim Howard. He operates Keeper Glove Insiders, a one-man bible of glove information and reviews. His method for testing gloves is so sound and so scientific that I'm no longer doing glove reviews for public consumption. I just wait to see what he says and treat it as gospel. You will too. Let's let him talk a little bit about what really constitutes "grip" in a glove. Take it away, Richard.

What defines ‘Grip’ to you…?

‘Grip’, tends to be a nebulous term most keepers don’t think much about; you just know what it is, even if it might be tough to explain. You know it when you feel it. Values we assign are interpretive, dependent upon breadth and depth of experience of other foams.

Grip is associated with friction. Friction speaks to how one surface resists the movement of another surface. Seems simple enough, but the relationship between goalkeeper and palm is personal and complex. What we perceive as grip involves many factors beyond friction between ball and foam.

Friction properties (coefficient of friction) are easily measured with the ASTM D1894 protocol. The apparatus can be big $$$, so very few brand HQ’s are equipped, but foam vendors and the bigger glove factories will have at least a Gerry-rigged version. Some of which would make MacGyver wince.

http://www.massdevice.com/blogs/debbi-cohen/how-guide-astm-d1894-coefficient-friction-test-plastic

KGI considers ASTM D1894 useful for certain things but dismisses claims about grip if the data is derived from a sled based test. Why? Because sled tests are one dimensional; sled test data does not reflect how foam will perform once cut and sewn into a glove. Why? Because, friction, is not grip.

Foam which measures impressively via the one dimensional sled test cannot be assumed to provide superior grip because grip is a multi-dimensional result of several variables –

environmental conditions
anatomy
psycho-physiology (tactile perception)
foam composite
biomechanics
cut/patterning
fit & form (Glove:Ball Interface)

We each interpret and attach different levels of priority to these variables. What’s most important to you may not be for another. Accordingly, conclusions will vary. Who is correct? Everybody is correct. This speaks directly to the beauty and fascination for how a glove you may consider the best ever, is a glove another keeper would not choose.

In a blind test, you could have ten pair of gloves made with foam from the same bolt, and still see deviation from the mean. This is where experience and knowledge plays in. It’s one thing to know what types of testing must be performed. It is another thing entirely to know how to interpret the data and what to do it. The Keeper Glove Insider has a great experience in the relationships, relevance, and values of these variables; they are accounted for in The KGI’s published ratings for grip.

A big part of relating to a subjective review is understanding the reviewer’s perspective, as compared to yours. It is entirely possible you’re in the same place, but simply manage your descriptions differently.

Another consideration (best left for later) is the fact that foams vary from batch to batch. Brand A’s top foam may have been other-worldly superb on your first two pair and then you get a pair that doesn't kick in until the fourth or fifth wash or wearing. If anyone out there has run into performance differences with the ‘same’ foam, please elaborate. Don’t mention specific brand names or types; just write about your experience by visiting the www.keepergloveinsiders.com forum page.

What defines grip to you?

Another Book Excerpt: The Match I Played on Valium

2011-10-26T17:04:00.007-04:00

In another self-promotional post, I offer a second excerpt from Small Time, my eventually-to-be-published memoir (no timeline as of yet; probably January or February). Today, it's the story of a major pharmacological mistake I once made, back in 1995, while playing for Cocoa Expos in the U.S. Something to either learn from or laugh at, or, ideally, both.

The playoffs offer more comedy, starting with my flight to Birmingham. The original itinerary calls for the team to drive up in a pair of vans on Friday evening for the Saturday seven pm kickoff. Because of the late notice from Pat – the appeal to play came on Thursday – I insist on being flown up alone on Saturday. Colin surprisingly agrees with this, as it turns out he needs to fly up Saturday also, so he books our tickets together. Because of what has gone down already between us this season, I'm uneasy about this, but I find that away from the pressures of running the Expo Center under Mr. Sandt's ever-present gaze, he's relaxed and quite funny. Our flight is short and we join the rest of the team at the hotel before lunch.

Unfortunately, I've already made an incredible mistake. Because of the claustrophobia that has lately been rearing its head, I'm in the habit of popping a Valium before flights. Prior to today, the flights have always been the day before the game. It didn't occur to me that taking a Valium at eight in the morning would be problematic. But by the time we pile into rental vans for the drive to the stadium, I start to realize something is wrong. The prematch nerves aren't there, and worse, I feel sleepy. I already napped at the hotel for two hours after lunch, but it feels like my head is still back in my bed.

By the time we kit out and take the pitch for the warmup, I know I'm in trouble. My feet feel heavy, my legs dead, and I have no energy at all. Even after all that has happened, I do still take the games very seriously, and always go through a methodical, exacting warmup, designed to physically prepare my body for the demands of the game, while simultaneously burnishing my confidence. My warmup in Birmingham does the opposite. I can barely move. I'm going to be a liability.

The funny thing about this is that because I'm still drugged up on Valium, I'm not worried. I figure it'll all work out somehow, and coast through the rest of the warmup with what must be a dopey half-smile on my face. I catch one lucky break: there are four teams here, with the winner of both games advancing to the national semifinals the following weekend. For this first game, we've avoided the home side and drawn a team from Des Moine. I've never been happier to play in front of an empty stadium.

We lineup at midfield for the national anthem. I keep shaking out my arms and legs, trying to get blood flowing and feeling restored, but it's just not going to happen. I have a quick word with Keith and confide what's going on. He tells Dylan and Dave Mackey that I'm not feeling well and that they will have to play a bit deeper to protect me. It all smacks of disaster. Des Moines kicks off and I find it hard to follow play. Several times, as we gain control of the midfield, I notice I'm standing right on my goal line with the ball seventy yards up the pitch. It's like falling asleep while driving: I shake myself out of it, jog up to the top of the box, try to move around, but minutes later it happens again. The good news is that we're by far the better team and carry a 2-0 lead into the final minutes of the first half. Even at this modest level of play, though, you just can't walk onto a pitch doped up and get away with it. Des Moines win a corner, the ball rattles around the box, and one of them hits it from fifteen yards. It's a decent shot, low to my left, but I see it all the way and can already feel myself palming it around the post. But it doesn't happen. I'm still dropping to the ground as the ball whips past me and into the net.

How I Felt

Miraculously, I feel the effects of the drug begin to wane at halftime. My head starts to clear and my feet finally feel light. It doesn't make much difference, as we completely control the game and I have nothing to do in the second half. Afterward, Keith gives me a sage piece of advice: “Don't do that again.”

Goalkeeper Psychology with Gavin Wilson of MINDSi

2011-10-06T12:24:00.004-04:00

As we all know, an enormous component of goalkeeping success is mental strength. I fired off some question to Gavin Wilson, an FA-qualified goalkeeper coach and Senior Sports Performance Coach at MINDSi Sports Performance. He and Tom Fawdry, another MINDSi coach, have delivered some truly insightful responses which can benefit goalkeepers playing at any level. Big thanks also to Jessica de la Souza, another MINDSi team member who facilitated this Q&A. You can keep up with MINDSi through their goalkeeping blog. MINDSi have also teamed up with KA Goalkeeping (you'll recall my interview with KA proprietor Kenny Arthur a few weeks ago) to provide special deals on KA gloves for newsletter subscribers. It's all happening at MINDSi ("mind's eye") so check it out - but read the Q&A first.

As Gavin says, "From a psychological perspective, the goalkeeper engages in arguably some of

the most demanding and difficult situations within modern-day football. The

psychological approach of the goalkeeper plays a significant factor in the success

of the team. Due to the specialist nature of the goalkeeping position, it is essential

for both goalkeeper, and goalkeeper coach to understand the psychological

requirements of the position."

1. Many goalkeepers worry about pre-game nerves. Can you explain what's going on when we feel nervous, and if there is a way to make sure nerves enhance rather than inhibit performance?

Pre-game nerves are a natural feeling prior to a game situation, and put simply,

demonstrates that the goalkeeper cares about their own personal performance

and outcome of the game. The goalkeeper coach must work tirelessly with the

goalkeeper to establish a state of psychological and physiological readiness, whilst

attempting to channel pre-game nerves into a positive mindset, utilising their

energy in a positive way. Common indicators of pre-game nerves can come in the

form of stress and anxiety, however, can also be apparent in physical indicators,

such as trembling, sweating, or even tunnel vision. Some goalkeepers at the top

level work through a pre-game psychological checklist, enabling them to delve

deeper into their own understanding of how they feel when they are mentally

prepared for game situations.

Ultimately, pre-game nerves can be channelled into positive thoughts, reminders,

and affirmations, which will allow the goalkeeper to perform above and beyond

their capabilities. A little bit of nerves can be a good thing! Contrastingly,

it is essential that the goalkeeper does not allow pre-game nerves to hinder

performance, and get the better of him or her; the goalkeeper should take

ownership of the situation, and not let the situation take ownership of them.

Furthermore, it is important to establish that every goalkeeper is different, and

have different approaches to the psychological elements of goalkeeping. For

example, the differing perceived psychological approaches of top level goalkeepers

ranges from the enthusiasm and enjoyment of Joe Hart, to the calmness and

relaxed state of mind of Edwin Van Der Saar, to the seriousness and apparent focus

of Oliver Kahn.

2. Confidence seems to play a huge role in successful goalkeeping, but some keepers are trapped in a Catch-22: they can't play well unless they feel confident, and they can't feel confident unless they play well. Any strategies to break this thought pattern?

Confidence, or ‘self-confidence’ is largely perceived to be an absolute statement,

either the goalkeeper is confident or completely lacks confidence. However, it

is essential to perceive confidence as situation-specific, not as an entirety. For

example, the goalkeeper may consider themselves to be a fantastic shot-stopper,

however, struggle when dealing with crosses. Contrastingly, if the goalkeeper

is very confident in an increasing number of situations and scenarios, it will

positively influence the goalkeeper in all other scenarios, as the goalkeeper can

draw confidence from previous experience. The most influential source of self-

confidence is for the goalkeeper to gain as much experience in deliberate practice

and game situations, as the best way of improving is to work tirelessly in the

correct way.

When the goalkeeper is training it is essential to approach any area of

development systematically, determining that before the goalkeeper can

master high diving saves from an angled approach, they must first be technically

proficient in their correct starting positions, line and angle of approach,

coordination of handling and footwork, setting off on the correct foot, etc.

The goalkeeper must master the basics before incorporating advanced training

methods, and then work systematically through the process, steadily increasing

the level of complexity. Positively, the goalkeeper will draw confidence from

performance accomplishments, and will endeavour to achieve a higher level of

confidence, if the mastery of the skill has been achieved with hard work and

dedication. Success at difficult tasks will affect confidence to a greater extent.

Furthermore, the goalkeeper has to acknowledge that confidence can be attained

from various sources, for example, a coaching demonstration may allow the

goalkeeper to understand that the task in hand can be achieved, or through

watching and analysing other goalkeepers to draw information through the

experience of others. Additionally, the goalkeeper can analyse their own game,

as watching themselves perform skills through video analysis will give them

gentle reminders that they have what it takes to succeed. Additionally, the use of

imagery and visualisation can be incorporated into the pre-game preparation of

the goalkeeper, as processing positive images helps the goalkeeper to experience

the situation before he or she has encountered it. This method is only successful

when the images that are constructed are positive, as the brain cannot distinguish

the difference between events that are processed, and events that have actually

happened. When the goalkeeper has reached an advanced level of imagery/

visualisation, the goalkeeper may even process images of themselves making a

mistake in a game situation, and then reacting positively to it.

Tom

3. When the worst does happen and we make a mistake, what does a goalkeeper need to do to recover?

It is inevitable that each and every goalkeeper will make a mistake throughout

their career; however, it is essential for every goalkeeper to have a positive

mindset, enabling them to believe that they can save everything thrown their

way. In reality, this is unrealistic, as it is the unavoidable task of the goalkeeper

to concede the occasional goal! The dilemma is, that any mistake made by the

goalkeeper will be highly publicised, and can often be detrimental to the outcome

of the game (re: Wojciech Szczesny vs. Birmingham City - Carling Cup Final

2011). Subsequently, it is essential that the goalkeeper must not be defined by

their mistakes, however, react positively to them, as dwelling on a mistake WILL

be detrimental to the performance of the goalkeeper. It is important for the

goalkeeper to attempt to erase the mistake which has just occurred (at least for

the duration of the game), and re-establish their focus to the task in hand. The

mistake has occurred, it cannot be rectified, although, the goalkeeper can still

have a positive influence on the remainder of the game. Positive affirmations,

reminders, and reinforcements will allow the goalkeeper to rediscover their focus,

and the goalkeeper can draw positives from the experience through evaluation,

analysis and training. Never make the same mistake twice!

Jessica

4. What can goalkeepers do between games, or in training, to work on their concentration and mental strength?

Concentration is a necessary pre-requisite for any modern-day goalkeeper to

have. Previous analysis suggests that the goalkeeper will touch the ball, on

average, approximately 27 times per game, further emphasising the goalkeeper’s

apparent need for enhanced concentration, and complete focus throughout a

90-minute match. Maintaining focus throughout a 90-minute match is a difficult

task, particularly for younger players with limited attention spans. Numerous

external factors that can potentially cause disturbance or disruption to the

goalkeeper during game situations include: the crowd, the weather, a mistake by

a teammate, and lengthy periods of time without seeing the ball. It is essential

for the goalkeeper not to allow external factors to have detrimental implications

on their performance, especially when these factors are out of the goalkeeper’s

control.

The goalkeeper can incorporate intervention strategies that may enable

themselves to recognise when their concentration is diminishing, consisting

of reminders that will instantly reinstate their concentration. For example,

the goalkeeper can immediately take a deep breath, tell themselves a word

like ‘concentrate!’ combined with a physical reminder, for instance, a single clap,

or a tap of their boot. However, the action should take place at a time where it

does not hinder the performance of the goalkeeper, potentially when the ball

is far away from the defending goal, and the goalkeeper has a few seconds to

perform the reminders, not allowing the action to become detrimental to the

performance, or obsessively performed by the goalkeeper. At this stage, and only

on completion of the reminder (physical or psychological), the goalkeeper’s focus

should be reinstated, without any disturbance or disruption to their performance.

Furthermore, goalkeepers within the professional game have been known to

separate a 90-minute game into different periods, for example, 3 X 30-minute

periods, with the aim of achieving a clean sheet within the individual period.

Several key ingredients can be drawn upon to provide the goalkeeper with ‘mental

toughness’, for example, mental toughness can be a measure of the goalkeeper’s

concentration, self-confidence, use of imagery/visualisation, ability to deal

with pressure or setbacks, motivation, and positive and negative energy control.

As previously mentioned, the use of analysis, imagery/visualisation, positive

reminders/reinforcements, and the assistance of a goalkeeper coach will all

contribute to enhancing ‘mental toughness’. Additionally, basing your game on

a goalkeeper or performer you admire may also have a positive influence on

performance. For example, whenever former Estonian international goalkeeper

Mart Poom felt as though he lacked self-confidence, he would model his game on

his hero, Peter Schmeichel, placing himself in the shoes (or gloves) of the great

Dane to enhance his self-confidence.

5. What are some common self-defeating mindsets you encounter and how can goalkeepers conquer them?

Largely, the most negative mindset of the goalkeeper can be associated with

their personal attitude or approach to goalkeeping. Negative thoughts, disbelief

in ability, poor preparation and mindset, are all detrimental to performance.

The key method in conquering these negative associations is for the goalkeeper

to take ownership of their own development, and to change their mindset and

approach into positive outcomes. The potential of the individual goalkeeper

cannot be measured, so the goalkeeper must do everything in their power to train

relentlessly, think positively, and evaluate/analyse their performance in training

and game situations.

It is essential for the goalkeeper to discover their ‘winning formula’, and

approach to goalkeeping. If the goalkeeper was to work on every possible facet

of goalkeeping, the result or outcome could be limitless. For example, regular

technical/tactical training (shot-stopping, distribution, dealing with crosses,

etc), physiological development (flexibility, power output, agility, reaction

time, hydration/nutrition, etc), psychological development (pre-game routines,

imagery/visualisation, positive reminders/reinforcements, etc), combined with

regular evaluation and analysis of performance.

If the goalkeeper applies a holistic approach to their own development, they will

experience positive outcomes, leading to enhanced performance, however, it is

essential not to over-analyse or get caught up in the details, as despite the endless

potential for the goalkeeper to develop, it is still essential for the goalkeeper to

establish their love for the position, and approach every game and training session

with the enthusiasm and enjoyment they had when they donned their first pair of

Reush or Sondico goalkeeper gloves.

copyright@MINDSi 2011

Yoga For Goalkeepers

2011-09-21T14:48:00.003-04:00

On various forums over the last few years, I've heard people say that 40-year-old Brad Friedel was surely playing his final season. It wasn't true then and it isn't true now. In no small part, Brad credits his longevity to yoga, which he started over a decade ago when he noticed that the ordinary little knocks and injuries were taking longer to heal. In an interview last season with ussoccer.com, he said that yoga has kept his body feeling like it's 24 years old.

You can have the reflexes of a mongoose, the secure handling of jewel thief, and the adept footwork of, well...insert your own similie. But you won't have a long career in goal if your body doesn't allow it. Many injuries are down to bad luck, of course, but it's pretty obvious that the better you look after your body, the better it will last the course. Strength, balance, and flexibility not only help you perform better, but reduce the spectre of injury, too. And when it comes to strength, balance, and flexibility, there aren't many activities that deliver as well as yoga.

Yoga's value to athletes is pretty well established by now, but in case you still think of it as something for new-age housewives or Brooklyn hipsters, consider that Friedel is hardly the only goalkeeper to incorporate it in his training. Brentford's Richard Lee is a big proponent as well, and I've heard it mentioned in interviews by Petr Cech and, before he retired, Edwin Van der Sar.

There is one thing I am that none of those brilliant keepers are, and that is 45 years old. I have gradually shifted the focus of this blog to writing about goalkeepers (there are other blogs that do that - my favorite is this one) to writing about being a goalkeeper. The reason I've done this is that my age gives me long-term perspective on what does and does not work, and yoga simply works. If you're seventeen, you're loaded up with natural flexibility, but believe me, this declines with age - rapidly, in most cases. It's much easier to maintain it than to get it back once it's gone, and yoga is a great way to do it.

I will admit that when I went to a yoga studio in New York City, I was a little turned off by the "get in touch with your inner soul" aspect of it. I'm not discounting the spiritual value, but this particular studio laid it on too thick for my liking. The great thing about yoga though is that you can do it at home for the price of nothing more than a decent mat. If you're a beginner, there is a wealth of resources on the web to get you started. Give it an honest chance and I'll be surprised if you don't notice results within a month.

So You've Been Forced to Go In Goal....

2011-08-29T21:18:00.009-04:00

"Quick! Someone other than me needs to go in goal!"

It happens. Your keeper gets injured, sent off, or just doesn't show up, and there's no reserve on the bench. Sometimes there's an eager volunteer, someone who has always wanted to give it a try, but more often, everyone develops a sudden interest in examining the ground, or explaining why they shouldn't be picked. Someone has to make a decision, and then someone has to go in goal. Here's exactly how to handle this tricky situation....

Ha. Sorry. There is no one, perfect way to deal with this. For managers, if you do have a willing volunteer, don't ask questions, just give them the gloves. Don't worry if they're "short" (lots of managers seem to feel that 6'4" is the absolute minimum height for a goalkeeper; my feeling on this would be easy to determine if you could see the disdainful curl of my upper lip). A willing volunteer is always going to work out better than someone stewing with resentment who was forced to go in goal, even if he or she is a better athlete.

If it happens to be you who volunteers, or draws the short straw, allow me to steal a line from Douglas Adams: don't panic. Here's the thing about goalkeepers: we deal with a lot of pressure. People expect us to never make mistakes, and when we do, it's the end of the world. But remember this: you aren't a real goalkeeper. Nobody is going to hold you to this standard. In fact, your teammates are probably less concerned about the game, and more worried that you're going to crash into the post and kill yourself (you won't kill yourself, but it does hurt).

Not as fun as it looks.

So, to the game. Don't feel obligated to do the things you've seen real goalkeepers doing, like coming out and catching crosses. Real goalkeepers practice that, you don't. Unless you're absolutely sure you can get to the ball ahead of the crowd, just do everyone a favor, stay planted on your line, and shout "Away!" If you go for it and decide to punch, it's probably best if you do so with both fists together. After you punch it, retreat back to your line as quickly as possible.

Impromptu goalkeepers are often caught out of position. As you're intently following the play, you don't realize you're wandering around your six-yard box, until a shot comes in and you find yourself standing two feet from one post. How do you avoid this? Quick glances at the penalty spot. It's right in the center of the pitch, ergo the center or your goal. Use your peripheral vision to check your positioning against it. If it's right in front of you, you're in the center of goal. You should move side-to-side in a small arc, from post to post, as the ball is moving from side-to-side, but don't overdo it. The idea is to have equal distance to cover no matter which side of you the opponent shoots. You've probably seen diagrams explaining how proper goalkeeper positioning works, but this isn't something you want to have spooling through your memory banks during a game. Just try to stand where you feel comfortable, and where you feel you have the best chance of reaching shots struck to either side.

Finally, use your outfield skills and experience as an advantage. Watch John O'Shea, manning Manchester United's goal in emergency duty:

Player through on goal, not sure how to handle it? Just go tackle him the same way you would as an outfield player. This won't always work, of course, but then players often score when through on real goalkeepers, too. Sure, use your hands whenever you can, but if you see the opportunity to handle a situation in a way that's familiar and comfortable to you, as O'Shea did, then by all means, do it.

You may not have always appreciated your goalkeeper yelling at you, but go in goal and you'll see why we do it: the entire pitch is in front of you, and you can see every run being made. So share this information, in a loud, direct, but not panicky voice.

In the end, just remember that nobody is expecting much from you. Do your best, try to enjoy it, and who knows -- you may even catch the bug. For those of a 'certain age,' goalkeeping is a great way to extend your years playing the beautiful game. I'm looking at you, Neebs.

Interview With Grimsby Town Goalkeeper Kenny Arthur

2011-08-15T15:56:00.004-04:00

Grimsby Town keeper Kenny Arthur, the man behind KA Goalkeeper Gloves, was nice enough to chat with me on Skype last week. Here's our unedited discussion in full. Kenny talks about his early days as a pro, injuries, superstitions, mistakes, and running his own glove business. Hope you enjoy!

(edit: John Hillcoat, target of our banter near the end, informs me that he, too, has a degree)

Kenny Arthur interview by justinbryant

When You Don't Get to Train But Have to Play...

2011-08-08T14:25:00.004-04:00

Things go wrong sometimes.

Keep it simple.

If you're fortunate enough to have regular training sessions between games, sessions where the goalkeeper's specific needs are addressed, then this post won't be of much use to you. Maybe you even have a qualified goalkeeper coach to work with. I was once in that position, long ago, before the internet and mobile phones (but not before Ryan Giggs). These days, though, I'm like many other goalkeepers who have to turn up to play once a week without having had a proper training session since the last game.

As the first line says, the first rule of thumb is to keep things simple. If you're deciding between hoofing away a back pass or taking an extra touch and finding a teammate, this while being closed down by an opposition striker, just hoof that mother away. If your instincts tell you a winger on the byline is going to cross, meaning you can maybe lean away from your near post a bit, think again. If a swerving shot has you unsure whether to catch or parry, parry - especially if you haven't caught a football in a week.

Of course, these are just guidelines. Each situation is different, and should be approached as unique. The general point is to recognize the limitations that come with not playing. There is also a difference between dealing with a swerving shot in the 5th minute as opposed to the 75th minute. Later in the game, you're going to feel more comfortable, less rusty, and perhaps won't have to take into account your lack of training. But in the early minutes, when you're feeling your way back into goalkeeping, don't make life harder than it need be.

Dammit! I forgot to be good.

Regular training makes the simple things - routine handling, positioning, little collapse dives - more or less automatic. In absence of this, we have to think our way through the game a bit more, remember to consciously order our feet to move, our body to back up the hands.

One thing I like to do is use my pregame warmup as a mini training session. The only difference to a regular warmup is that I try to do it at a faster pace with more repetition. If I can take thirty shots into my hands and ten to fifteen crosses, I'll be that much more likely to handle them correctly once the game starts.

One final idea: if you have a football around the house and you've got nothing better to do, pick it up every now and then, bounce it a bit, handle it. If you have a solid wall and understanding neighbors, play a game of catch. Tennis balls are good for this, too. If you happen to break anything, this sentence serves to absolve me of blame. :)

As usual, these are just my thoughts. I'd love to hear yours - how do you stay match-fit when you don't get to train?

Coming Soon

2011-08-02T14:20:00.002-04:00

It's been a long, hot, slow summer here at The Goalkeepers' Union. We've moved house nearly 1,400 miles, from the vibrancy and bustle of New York City to the bucolic tranquility of the Florida Keys. With the European seasons poised to start anew, we have activity planned here as well. Coming soon is an article about staying in form when you don't get to train much (for instance, during a summer break), an interview on the psychological aspects of goalkeeping with Gavin Wilson and Jessica de la Souza of MINDSi Sports, and more product reviews. In the meantime, enjoy a short video of Blake and me in our new island home.

Storelli - The Next Generation in Protective Equipment

2011-07-23T20:07:00.006-04:00

Pain. Maybe you like it. I don't. Goalkeeping involves pain, and I'm willing to accept that. Sometimes you can't avoid being kicked, tripped, run over, or stepped on. But there's no reason a hard, dry, or frozen pitch should cause injury. I know goalkeepers who dislike padding or protective gear of any kind, and hey, if I played every game on a lush, grass pitch, I wouldn't have any need for it. But I play on 3G astroturf, which even when nice and soft can dish out nasty friction burns. Plus I'm old. I want protection.

The problem was, most of it wasn't very good. I'm going to name and shame now. I have two padded undershirts, from Sells and adidas. The Sells shirt is made of a nice, lightweight, wicking fabric, but the padding is thin and ineffectual, and it doesn't stay in the right places. The adidas shirt's padding is much better and covers the right areas, but the material of the body is thick and scratchy, and definitely not suited for New York's hot and humid summers. If Sells and adidas had got together, they might have produced one good shirt. But they didn't.

There are other padded undershirts, from McDavid to Reusch and Rinat. I haven't tried them all, but I don't need to now, because I've tested the next generation in protective goalkeeper equipment. It comes from Storelli, a new brand. Full disclosure: I interviewed Claudio Storelli and his team for Goalkeeper Magazine. The full interview is online in the Member's Area, for those of you who subscribe. Claudio and his crew are great guys, but I'm not raving about their products because of that. I'm raving because they work.

Storelli gets it right by minimizing the bulk of traditional padding, keeping it in the right place, and using top-range fabrics. Most importantly, their padding works like no other. You can see demonstrations of its effectiveness on the Storelli website, along with the technical details of their technology. If the little metal balls don't convince you, take it from me - the stuff works. It's as thin as a typical latex glove palm, yet provides much better protection than regular foam. Both the shirt and undershorts fit like compression gear, and are very breathable and lightweight. This kind of quality and technology does come at a price, but for any keeper not lucky enough to play on manicured pitches every day, Storelli gear will be worth every penny.

P.S. - the fine folks at Storelli tell me they are offering a 20% promotional launch discount.

Bad Pitches

2011-07-06T16:24:00.004-04:00

You've seen it before. Watch it again and we'll discuss.

Naturally, Robbo took all the blame in the media, but it's clear that the ball took an awful bobble just as his foot was about to make contact. There are two more things to consider: 1) Gary Neville should perhaps have passed the ball back wide of goal, and 2) less happily for Robbo, the divot that caused the bad bounce was one he created himself. It was his 'tee' for goal kicks.

Let's just assume that the odds of a ball bobbling on the divot you made for your goal kicks are negligible. But we all play on bumpy, rutted pitches from time to time, and there are a few things we can do to make them less treacherous to both the scoreline and our bodies.

First, communication with defenders is always vital. If you're asking for a pass back, let them know where you want it - wide of the goal, if possible. Second, don't try to welly it all the way to the other keeper. On a poor pitch, be content to side foot it away, trying for a little extra height to make up for less distance. Use whatever pace is already on the ball, and just 'punch' it away with the inside of your foot. The shorter and more controlled your swing, the less likely you are to have a mishap. Finally, assess the situation. If you have time, take a touch before you clear. It's always easier to strike a dead ball than a moving one on a bad surface.

Poor pitches also complicate shot stopping, naturally. All the obvious points apply: keep your body behind the ball, etc. Common sense. There is one thing you might consider concentrating on with low shots, though: make sure you aggressively 'attack' the ball with your dive. The last thing you want is to be diving/falling backwards as you're trying to claim a ball that is hopping and bobbling all over the shop.

You might recall this happening to Tim Flowers:

As the video displays, this was again a self-inflicted wound. Tim had dug a little trench in the center of the six-yard-box (and, if you look closely, just behind the penalty spot as well), and was left helpless when the ball used the divot to ramp over him.

I used to make these kinds of marks on the pitch, but learned to orient myself by the penalty spot. I sometimes play on a 3G pitch with lots of confusing extra lines and marks, so I put a small piece of white tape where the penalty spot should be. Dig a great big trench at your own peril.

Hard, frozen, rocky, or rutted pitches can do more than send a football spinning into the net; they can injure you. There are immediate, acute injuries, such as when I tore my rotator cuff diving on a rocky pitch (the only real injury I ever had), or cumulative ones caused by diving over and over on a bad surface. In either case, when the pitch calls for it, protect yourself. I know keepers who are anti-padding in all cases, or who like wearing short sleeves, but use some common sense. Are you on a soft, grassy pitch? If not, there are more important things than dressing like Iker Casillas. If you keep tearing the skin off your elbows, or your hips are sore and swollen, when are you ever going to heal? Every dive will only make it worse.

There are lots of choices for padded base layer gear out there, from McDavid to adidas to Sells. Over the next two weeks, I'll be testing some exciting new gear from Storelli Sports, offering a new, protective material that is both thin and lightweight. For keepers who dislike the bulk of traditional padding, it might be just what you're looking for.

Interview: Micheal Hollands of Selsport

2011-06-21T14:47:00.007-04:00

It's always interesting to get insight from inside the top glove companies. Michael Hollands, Selsport Operations Director, took a great deal of time to answer some of my questions last week. I hope you enjoy.

What is the development process like for a new glove, such as the Extreme Prodigy or Purity? How long does it take to go from concept to finished product, and what kind of testing do you do?

Ah, good question. It's probably one which relates back to the original ethos of why Selsport was originally founded: "To provide solutions for goalkeepers". First we have a selection of keepers from various levels from our top professionals right through to academy level which we call Selsport's focus group. They play in different climates and on varied surfaces, and throughout the testing period they give us valuable feedback, pinpointing requirements and highlighting ideas. This gives us an insight to current keeper requirements and emerging trends. Often a number of recurring themes may become apparent, forming a starting point of possible solutions which the keepers would like Selsport to look into and go on to solve.

We can quickly identify what are going to be possible as a number of factors need to be considered before we start drawing any ideas, such as market gap and placement, fabric cost, overall need, tooling etc. The next 6/7 tech drawings are completed, of which are then whittled down to 2 or 3 favourites. These are then sent to the factory for the first round of samples. We will look to get

4/5 rounds of samples made as elements are often added/removed until the glove meets all specific requirements of the original blueprint and benchmarks. This year's range is about to land and we have already completed initial concepts for next years models, so really it a rolling 12 month process which never stops. I'll leave the testing answer as i've just seen the next question. So basically Selsport identify a requirement and find the best possible solution. It's a very simple but effective process which is summed up in three words = Research - Identify - Solution.

What role do Selsport's professional endorsees play in glove research and development?

After the first round of samples, our top keepers put the gloves to the test through a number of drills which give us results on a number of criteria. We have benchmarks that we set ourselves as to how a particular glove needs to perform to - if the glove doesn't hit that benchmark then it's refined until it does. No Selsport glove goes to market without hitting these high standards - if a goalkeeping company didn't do this then they would be only around for a short time. Again a simple and effective process, but sadly, thinking which many goalkeeping companies rarely implement.

Selsport seem committed to developing a collaborative environment with potential customers, from contests to name new gloves, to the Selsport Sponsored Keeper initiative. What benefits have you found from this kind of direct communication with your customers?

Selsport have a strong heritage among the goalkeeping community and a well-defined brand image, and over the years we have always aimed to get people, whatever your age, involved and enjoy the fun of what goalkeeping brings. 5 years ago we introduced the strapline "Be part of it" based around encouraging people of all ages to choose a pair of Selsport gloves and give goalkeeping a go. This concept is extended through all advertising and marketing we do and it holds us well, as seen by the massive response by keepers joining us at:

www.facebook.com/selsportkeeper

a real hive of activity which can see keepers interact, free glove competitions, and retailers often launching exclusive offers. For anyone still wanting to get a Selsport contract for next season there is still time, and all details can be found at

www.facebook.com/selsportkeeper

Every time it seems we've reached a zenith in glove technology, somebody pushes the envelope a little further - for example, the hand protection system of the Elite series. Is it a case of constantly striving for innovation, or do ideas sometimes come in moments of inspiration? And can you give us any hints of what's out there on the horizon?

It's funny where inspiration comes from. Our Q&A with keepers is important and the team at Selsport are always coming up with their own interpretation. At this stage of the process there are no wrong ideas; everything is taken into account and considered...However strange!!!!.

With the Elite, that was the idea of Mark Tipton, who is head of Advertising. On his way into the office, he was stuck in traffic and noticed the protection on a glove from a motorcyclist that had pulled up along side. As soon as he came in the office he told everyone the idea: "A lightweight protection glove with no bones - like a bikers glove." Everyone smiled and thought, you know that might just work. The Elite proved the out right success of last year. So you never know where inspiration is going to be born from. Hints on the horizon...mmmhhh if I mentioned anything about next years range I'd be hung, drawn and quartered! What I can give you is an exclusive that we have decided to go ahead with bring back the Bosnich Deflector in limited numbers and will be available towards November/December time for selected retailers.

How much attention do you pay to what other brands are doing - in particular, other goalkeeper-specific brands?

You need sometimes to take a step back and look at the sports industry as a whole to see how the market is evolving, and what needs & trends are beginning to emerge, so you don't get left behind. Whether that be social media or the even the world wide recession!! You need to be fluid and be able to act accordingly. With specific goalkeeper brands, Selsport never ever look to do comparable gloves. Selsport don't follow others -- we set the bar to which others follow. If we played that game, we wouldn't have the reputation we have now. Unfortunately, we find ourselves copied all too often. First we had other a number of companies copy Selsport's Ribbed backhand, then we had our branding copied, and this year we had a firm start to included goalkeeping products in their range and they included the Selsport RedTab on their gloves wrist strap!? Message boards were full of keepers saying it was a disgrace, so goalkeepers I think are a clever bunch and know what's what. I guess it just proves Selsport continue to do the right things, and its a shame when others can't set up there own stall with new individual thinking, as they would build a better reputation and have greater success if they did... So I guess keep your eyes on whats going on but when you have a tried and tested process as Selsport has, that gives us the confidence to do our own thing, and it continues to work.

Interview: Sebastian Selke

2011-06-15T17:45:00.008-04:00

Basti (left) vs. Jurgen Klinsmann

In-the-know keepers know Sebastian "Basti" Selke as the owner/operator of Pimp My Gloves, an amazing undertaking which can transform your worn-out old favorites into match-ready condition. Before PMG, though, Basti enjoyed a successful playing career, and now works full-time as a goalkeeper coach. He took some time to answer a few questions.

Basti, did you always want to be a goalkeeper, or did you get started in goal by accident?

I played in field in the first team as a youth, because my best friend was the keeper. But then he saw that I would be a good keeper and he went to another club, and this was the day my career started in goal!

Tell us what you remember about your debut at the professional level.

It was on television and i remember every step. I remember the gloves I wore, too. I know all the gloves I have worn in my whole career.

Basti is clearly impressed with the grip

You've played against some big names, such as Jurgen Klinsmann. Was he your most difficult opponent?

Yes, he was the most difficult. Every moment of that match was great, except when Klinsi scored and I got a bit angry. I wore my Uhlsport 083s that day.

You're a goalkeeper coach now. Talk about your coaching philosophy. What skills are most important for young keepers?

I coach a mix of my experiences from my great coaches and how I was trained. Nowadays I consider which kind of training is the best for the keepers which I have in my team. Not all keepers are the same, so you can't train them all the same. For young keepers, it is very important to have a mix of fun work and basics.

Basti (left) hard at work on the training pitch

Traditionally, there has been a German 'style' of goalkeeping. Do you think this still exists, or are goalkeepers around the world now being coached more similarly?

I think in every style of goalkeeping we can find some good. There is a lot of good in German coaching, but you must always remember what kind of keeper you're training, and train accordingly.

You started Pimp My Gloves to offer customized gloves. Which glove would you love to pimp?

I have pimped a lot, but the ones I love most are the originals. Today sometimes I think, "Why did I pimp these, instead of keeping them in their original condition?" It would be great if brands did some more retro gloves, like Uhlsport did with the Zoff gloves. New materials in a classic style, to use them now, would be wonderful.

An example of what Pimp My Gloves can do: classic 036 restored and converted to negative cut

Finally Basti, what is your all-time favorite glove?

There are so many gloves which were amazing to me, but today its the Uhlsport 034, all of the Reusch Pfaff ones, and the Uhlsport 021 Peter Shilton worn at Mexico (1986 World Cup). But it's always changing!

There's Going to Be a Book

2011-06-08T00:29:00.011-04:00

So, a little news: I've written another book (here's my first one), and it's going to be available before the end of 2011. I'll have more news later, if you're interested, but for now, here's a sneak preview from the Prologue. Everything I've written is honest to a sometimes painful degree.

Crowds were sometimes as large as zero.

1995

The sun is not yet high but it's already hot. Dew burns off cobwebs in wild grasses lining tidal canals and wetlands. A flock of roseate spoonbills, stained pink by the tiny crustaceans they feed on, stands in a shallow pond which reflects thunderheads already building on the horizon. From a deeper pond on the other side of the footpath, a splash. I turn and see what I've been looking for: an alligator, huge, has slid from the bank into the black water and cruises away toward the mangroves. I raise my camera and aim the heavy telephoto lens. The gator sinks beneath the surface.

I'm in the only place that puts me at ease these days, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. 140,000 acres of wetlands and trails, it harbors eagles, ospreys, wild boars, manatees, and even, according to rumor, Florida panthers. It is popular with serious birders, but I come to see the gators. Their primal repose is both exhilerating and calming. I've seen tiny newborn hatchlings squirming in the safety of reeds, and mammoth thirteen-foot males engaged in territorial fights. Less than two years from a life-changing foot safari in the wilds of South Africa's Kruger Park, I seek this kind of wilderness communion every chance I get. This means early mornings, and though I'm normally a late sleeper, I'm happy to rise before the sun to come here.

The gator surfaces, facing me, thirty yards away. I take a series of pictures before he loses interest and swims away. The heat rises. It's July in Florida. Sun and heat, stifling humidity. A whimper of breeze comes from the ocean. Sweat drips from my hair. I look at my watch: 9:47 a.m. I remember the game – we play at 7:30 – and my stomach tightens.

I come to this place because it's a refuge for me as much as it is for the animals. It’s a refuge from the undiagnosed, stress-related sickness I’ve suffered with for six years. After struggling in the cold and damp of the UK for years, I have come to associate sun and heat with health. But primarily it's a refuge from football, a game I still love in my heart but have come to dread, a game I had quit three years ago with no regrets, but to which I returned. I don't like to think about why I returned, because it feels so needy and pathetic. But the truth is we play in front of crowds, small but enthusiastic, and crowds feed my ego like nothing else. The same few hundred kids ask for my autograph after games, on the side of the pitch. Some of them wait until later, standing by my car, waiting for me to walk up in street clothes. The look on their faces is all wrong. They look at me as if I'm some big star, but I'm just a 28-year-old goalkeeper for the Cocoa Expos, playing for $50 a game in yet another in a series of failed American leagues. But I don't tell them that. I sign and pose for pictures and then drive away, ego glowing, hating myself for it.

I check the time again: 10:30. I have all day, but I know I can't stay out here for long in the heat and sun if I want to have enough energy to play well. I fantasize about staying in the wildlife refuge. I've brought lunch with me, and my truck, a Toyota 4Runner, has an enclosed bed that I can sleep in. It's 1995 and people have cell phones now, but I don't. Nobody can reach me out here. Just another thing I love about it.

But I can't keep the game out of my mind. I might not love playing any more, but I'm still competitive, still want to play well. Every time I think about it my stomach tightens. So many unknowns when you play in goal, so much beyond your control. An osprey screeches from a dead tree. I raise my camera. Now I'm too distracted by the game, checking my watch every five minutes. No use. I drive home and pass the rest of the day napping fitfully and forcing myself to choke down half a meal. I don’t eat well on game days.

The game itself passes in a blur. I play mostly on instinct now. At 28 I'm five or more years older than most opposition players. Not a significant difference, really, except it makes me feel mature and experienced, like I have an exoskeleton of confidence that these nameless kids can't puncture. It's ironic, but now that I no longer live to play the game, I'm playing better than I ever have before.

The jerseys, on the other hand, just keep getting worse.

We win, as always, although it was close this time. After the final whistle I sign my autographs and mingle with the fans and a few friends, but I don't linger. I remember that this isn't just another game. There is a showdown looming.

We march off the pitch as a unit and into the dressing room, leaving wives, girlfriends, family, and a few dozen fans mingling outside. We have just won the Eastern Division championship with a 2-1 extra time win. I don't know who we just beat, because it doesn't matter. I am covered with mud and am first into the showers. I know what is going to happen and don’t want to miss any of it.

The room is noticeably silent as we dress, the usual post-game banter replaced by a sort of nervous hum. Dave Mackey, a defender I’ve played with for years, stands in the center of the room, addresses team management – Cocoa Expo owner Rick Stottler and his assistant, Giles Malone – and asks the question we’ve all been wondering for weeks: why haven’t we been paid?

I knew this was coming, was secretly thrilled, but it’s also terribly awkward, because I have a secret: I have been paid. Nobody else, just me. The team’s other goalkeeper quit halfway through the season, and I leveraged my position of strength, threatened to walk away unless they paid all past-due money, about $650. Giles had no choice but to write me a check. So when Dave Mackey starts walking around the room, pointing at each one of us and saying, “…and he hasn’t been paid, and he hasn’t been paid, and he hasn’t been paid,” I meet his eye but feel like a scab who’s crossed union picket lines.

I don’t have long to worry about that, however. After listening patiently for a few minutes, Stottler suddenly leaps to his feet and bellows, “Stop right there! You’re not going to blackmail me! Anybody who thinks they’re going to blackmail me, there’s the door!” He points vaguely in the direction where a door might be. He’s not a young man, wears bottle-thick glasses and ill-fitting shorts. He’s getting more furious by the moment, doing a strange sort of hop from foot to foot as he sputters and fumes about being blackmailed. Dave is so stunned by this performance that for a moment he is silent, almost smiling, before patiently insisting that nobody is blackmailing anybody. We just want our money.

Standing in the background, watching all this with a look of dignified horror, is Ricky Hill. Over 400 appearances for Luton Town as a midfielder, three full England caps, winner of the League Cup in 1988. Somehow, incomprehensibly, he allowed himself to be talked into managing the Cocoa Expos, and it seems as if it’s now, at the tail end of the season, that he realizes what he’s gotten himself into.

There is an added complication to the hostilities: despite the nonpayment, a handful of players are still loyal to Stottler, and they begin contradicting Dave. This is rooted in a few related things: they all played for Stottler when he ran the program at Florida Tech, and they’re all English. We all get along, but the English players tend to keep to themselves, and when things go wrong, they close ranks. Once this happens, the confrontation with Stottler sputters to a pathetic end. I make eye contact with Keith Ames, a close friend for years, and we shake our heads.

When I get home, there is a message on my answering machine from Gary Graves, a reporter from Florida Today who covers the Expos. He wants my thoughts on the upcoming playoffs. The thought of more games to come makes my stomach hurt. I erase the message, take a deep breath, and phone Ricky Hill to tell him I’m quitting.

You Don't Get to Pick Your Teammates, So...

2011-05-27T16:41:00.002-04:00

You better learn to play with them.

Someone screwed up.

All of us at some point have played behind a less-than-ideal back four. Perhaps the centre backs don't win headers, or maybe the fullbacks show their men inside and lunge recklessly into challenges. I revisited a very old interview I conducted with goalkeeper coach extraordinaire Alex Welsh for many of the points that follow, so credit (or blame) should go to him:

Buy his book, too.

First, look in the mirror. Are you the perfect goalkeeper? If not, don't expect your defenders to be perfect. This doesn't mean you can't expect more from them, but a reality check is always a good start.

Next, understand their specific limitations. Are they physical, psychological, or both? Are they simply too short and too slow? Do they lack confidence or football intelligence? Do they make poor decisions and take bad angles?

You can help with each of these issues. Let's start with the physical limitations. If you have defenders who aren't the best at winning balls in the air, then guess who needs to come help them? Goalkeepers massively over-complicate coming for crosses. Remember two things: 1) You don't always have to catch or even cleanly punch every cross. Sometimes just getting a touch, or indeed your very presence challenging for the ball, will be enough to put off a striker. Try to catch or punch, of course, but know that you don't need to be perfect to succeed. 2) You can use your hands. Nobody else can. The ball is there to be won - go get it.

Slow defenders need help with positioning and angles. I see fullbacks who get beat, then chase directly after their man, instead of taking an angle to the near post. Make sure they understand that once their man gets behind them, they need to take an angle that prevents the wide player from simply carrying the ball right at goal. By taking an angle they can make up the distance lost, and have a chance to cut out a shot or cross. They should be getting this coaching from the manager, of course, but in the heat of a game, a simple shout of "angle!" can remind him what he needs to do.

By far the biggest impact you can have on a dodgy back four is through organization. There are some very basic principles of sound defensive play that even the most casual pub team can follow. It starts with the centre backs. Keep them together. Nothing good happens when one of them wanders forward into midfield and the other drifts wide. Of course there are times when one will have to go cover for a fullback, or step into midfield to win a tackle. But the other needs to see this and react. The more they work like a two-headed unit, the harder your team will be to break down. You can use psychology here too: treat them like a partnership, a pairing, and they'll begin to see themselves that way, will communicate more with each other and react better to each other's movement.

Fullbacks are, by nature, somewhat isolated, but this can make it simpler to keep them properly positioned and aware of their responsibilities. "Keep him wide" or "show him outside" are the two most common instructions I give them, along with Rio Ferdinand's favorite, "stay on your feet." All too often, defenders feel they aren't doing their job if they aren't tackling and winning the ball. Make sure they understand that channeling players into non-threatening positions on the pitch is more than good enough.

The back four does not play in isolation. Midfielders and even strikers are critical to any team's defending, but they won't be as easy to communicate with. It's more up to the defenders themselves to make sure the midfielders understand and fulfill their defensive responsibilities. It's not about bossing people around, but simply making sure everyone knows what's expected of them.

It helps to know the individual personalities of your teammates, too. If a player is struggling, trust me, he knows it. If he's the type to respond to a verbal kick up the backside, then give it to him. If he needs a gentler touch, then have a quick encouraging word in his ear at a corner. Exploding in anger at an already fragile player is not going to make anything better. Unless you're playing at the full professional level, your first obligation to your teammates is to behave decently. Peter Schmeichel berated his defenders for 15 years, but he was Peter Schmeichel.

And we're not.

Finally, be aware of what's going on during the game with your back four. If they're getting a runaround and you get the ball in your hands, slow the game down a bit. We all like to keep possession if possible, but use your head: don't roll the ball out to a fullback who's just been beaten twice and booked for a foul - he's already feeling the heat and doesn't need the responsibility of carrying the ball out of the back. If there's one specific opposition player causing problems, it's your job to let everyone know where he is and what run he's making.

Most of this is common sense, but remember that what seems obvious now is easy to forget when something goes wrong in a game and the red mist descends. How you react in those moments is how you define your character as a player. More importantly, keeping your head gives you a chance to prevent bad things from happening in the first place. You are there to help your defenders, and, let's face it, some need it more than others.

Pre Match Meals

2011-05-17T17:15:00.002-04:00

I had a game last night, so shot this short little video documenting my meal preparation:

So what do you guys do for a pre-match meal? What's your favorite dish, and how long before kickoff do you prefer to eat?

Incidentally, we lost 3-0, but I was pretty pleased with how I played. Very busy night on a wet pitch.

It's Like a Marriage

2011-05-12T00:06:00.000-04:00

"My relationship with Lehmann is the same as ever - we don't really have one."
--Manuel Almunia, Arsenal, January 2006

“I do not remember ever saying that. When he left Arsenal we were talking and no problems. We have a good relationship.”
--Manuel Almunia, Arsenal, January 2011

If you play in goal at any kind of organized level, it is likely you are not the only goalkeeper in the squad. Let's hope you're the number one choice, but you may be number two, or even three. In any case, some kind of working relationship with the other goalkeepers is required. Happily, in the majority of cases, even those goalkeepers in the greatest competition tend to put this aside and work harmoniously, often as the best of friends. But as we know, this isn't always the case.

Sadly, as is often the case with disagreements, when two goalkeepers in competition do not get along, each seems to feel the other is to blame. Spend any time on goalkeeper forums and you'll read the stories: "I try to help him, but he's only interested in himself"; "I don't know why the manager picks him, I was playing far better, and now they both act like I don't exist." When you find yourself in a goalkeeping relationship that isn't working, the first place to look is the mirror, especially if you're the one not getting a game. Let's be honest: it's very rare that the source of trouble is the keeper who's playing. It's the disgruntled understudy. If that's you, you know the drill: work hard in training, showcase your ability, and hope for a chance. Don't make things worse by causing friction and complaining (or whining on the internet!).

If you're the number one, and your troublesome number two is making life difficult when you should be enjoying your football, you have a couple of options. The first is to focus on yourself, not worry about anyone else, and get on with your football. This is a good option if you're playing at a senior level. The hurt feelings of grown men and women aren't your problem, just as long as you don't go out of your way to make them feel worse.

If you're a bit younger, though, you might need to concede that not everybody matures at the same rate, and that friction from a number two probably stems more from frustration and insecurity rather than dislike or genuine ill will. Keeping that in mind, sometimes small gestures go a long way. Make an effort in training to include him in your preparation; ask his opinion, offer encouragement. Don't overdo it, just let him know he's part of the team. His fear is that he's not needed.

Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton famously maintained a close friendship through years of swapping the England number one shirt. Others squabbled but then made up. The Almunia-Lehmann feud had a happy ending, as did the Lehmann-Kahn feud. The Lehmann-Tim Wiese feud is not going so well, sadly. Jens is suing him.

The Wind, The Rain, The Sun: Playing in the Elements

2011-05-04T21:20:00.005-04:00

I've Played in Worse

Recently I was asked on twitter which I disliked more: playing in strong wind, or with blinding sunlight in my eyes. It got me thinking about the elements, and how, as a primarily reactive position, goalkeepers are affected by them.

Let's start with the twitter question: I answered "strong wind." Having the full hydrogen might of the sun in my face is never fun, but over the years, it's rare that the angle is such that it actually causes me to lose sight of the ball. But wind - wind is evil. It can make your kicks anemic, can send crosses drifting out of your grasp, and turn an ordinary up-and-under ball over the top into some kind of cruel joke. The worst thing about the wind is that it can negatively impact you whether it's in your face, at your back, or blowing across the pitch. When it's in your face, it can make it hard to clear your lines and keep your side pinned in your own half, and turn normally harmless long-range shots into net-seeking missiles. At your back, it will make your kicks soar, but you might find that shots which would normally sail over the bar get knocked down. It can also hold up through balls that would normally run on to you.

This is what you get when you Google Image search for "Wind"

So how do we cope with the wind? First, assess it: how strong is it? Is it blowing in a consistent direction, or swirling madly? Make sure you understand what it's doing, so at the very least, you won't be surprised. Once you understand what the wind is doing, cope with it through your positioning. When it's in your face, you have no choice but to take a conservative starting position when the ball is in your third of the pitch. The last place you want to be is five steps off your line, watching a windblown cross drop into the gaping net behind you. Start conservatively and give yourself a margin of error. Finally, try for a lower, flatter ball flight with your kicks, or play short balls whenever possible.

Looks Nice, Right? Actually it's your WORST NIGHTMARE

Historically, keepers have dealt with bright sun by donning caps. I've always found caps a little distracting and prefer to shield my eyes with one hand when possible. But if you have no such reservations, then by all means, wear a cap. When a ball is played into the box, it's important to not only track where it is, but where it's going, because you may just lose sight of it entirely. This, of course, also applies to playing under floodlights. Good ones will be set high enough so that they rarely interfere with your vision, but anyone who has played Non League football is familiar with those lights that always seem to be right in your line of vision to a crossed ball. If you've tracked the ball up to the point where the sun or lights interfere, it's still going to be there, and I've found that if I don't flinch, but try to squint and peer through the glare, I can see enough of the ball to at least punch to safety, if not catch it.

Ooh, artistic

Unless you live in a desert, you're likely to play a fair few games in rain. One of the great advances in goalkeeping gloves over the last two decades is the advent of wet-weather specific latexes. Any good supersoft latex will work just fine in a moderate rain, but when it's really belting down, and especially when you've got mud in your goalmouth, aqua gloves are the way to go. Almost every major brand has an excellent aqua glove these days, and every keeper should find a pair that works for them. Like most keepers, I like to hang a towel in my net. In wet weather, I use it to wipe rain from my hair and around my eyes. I play exclusively on 3G astroturf these days, but for keepers playing on mud, use a water bottle to rinse mud from your palms, and the towel to then wring excess water from the glove. It doesn't matter how good your latex is - if it's covered with mud, it won't grip anything.

You'll occasionally play in other conditions - snow, ice, sandstorms, locusts - but the single most important thing about dealing with elements is your attitude. I know goalkeepers who approach a wet or windy game with dread. In truth, when I was a young kid and couldn't kick very far, I was one of those keepers. This is a mistake - starting a game with a negative mindset is unlikely to lead to anything good. Accept the conditions, make them part of the challenge, and deal with them. Remember that these elements make life more difficult for outfield players too. They're going to get on with it, so you have no choice but to do the same.

If any readers have coping strategies that I haven't mentioned, please share them in the comments, so we can all benefit. Thanks, as always, for reading, and look for my column (and my name in giant letters on the cover) of the premier issue of Goalkeeper Magazine.

Get Confident, Stupid!

2011-04-26T23:19:00.008-04:00

Okay, I concede: it really is spring in New York now. But filming of the hill sprints is going to have to wait awhile yet, as my cameraman is AWOL. Soon, though. Soon.

Watching Manuel Neuer's remarkable display against Manchester United - and, lest you didn't notice, a couple of difficult situations handled with apparent ease by the imperious Edwin Van der Sar - got me thinking once again about the role confidence plays in goalkeeping. If I haven't mentioned it before, I'll reiterate: confidence is everything. Of course, you've got to have something to be confident about. All the confidence in the world won't help if you don't have the basic ability to catch a football. But the reverse is also true: a physically gifted but psychologically fragile goalkeeper will be more a liability than asset.

It starts with body language. Neuer and Van der Sar both carry themselves with an air of inherent superiority. Van der Sar has for years played with the raised-eyebrows look of someone surprised to find anyone bothering to challenge him. Neuer, gifted with an imposing physique, puffs out his chest and struts around his box like a man largely untroubled by the world. They are not alone in this, of course - Iker Casillas turned in another commanding performance in Madrid's Copa del Rey win over Barcelona, a game in which he seemed to keep the Catalans off the scoresheet by the sheer force of his will, and Allan McGregor of Rangers had a game to dream about in the latest Auld Firm battle. You could see the confidence flowing from both of them.

He might not be so confident if he still looked like this

Back in the 90s, I recall being impressed by the confident body language of Chelsea keeper Dmitri Kharine - remember him? Good keeper, great mullet. He may not have been the world's best keeper, but he carried himself as if he were, and as a result, he had a good career. Not many people noticed, perhaps, because the 90s belonged to Peter Schmeichel and his outsized personality. In the 80s it was Neville Southall and Bruce Grobbelaar, keepers for whom confidence was as much a part of their arsenal of skills as agility and handling.

The hair, the jersey - magnificent

If it's easy to spot a confident keeper, then sadly, it's equally easy to spot a fragile one. Their body language is the opposite of, say, Neuer's: they seem to retract within themselves, want nobody to notice them, are hesitant to make decisions. The Catch-22 of goalkeeping is that if you play as if you're afraid to make mistakes, you are more likely to make mistakes.

The good news about confidence is that it works even if you have to fake it. In other words, even if you don't feel confident, if you can act confident - slow down your breathing, stick out your chest a little bit, carry yourself like you mean it - your teammates and opponents alike will get the message, and they're the ones who matter most.

A Quick Plug

2011-04-24T00:41:00.005-04:00

Today was going to be the day I filmed myself doing the last in my series of favorite lower-body reactive exercises, but it's not even close to being Spring in New York at the moment - today was rainy and cold - and because it's an outdoor activity, I'll save it for one of the milder days forecast for next week.

In the meantime, I know not all readers are active goalkeepers, but if you are, you need to check out GKIcon. The brainchild of Brentford F.C. goalkeeper Richard Lee (above), GKIcon is a one-stop resource for all things related to the most important position in football. I'm pleased to say that later this summer, some of my posts will be appearing on GKIcon's pages.

In the meantime, check out Richard's highlights from this season. I can't embed the player here, so just click this link. Some truly fantastic saves. Richard is out for the season with an arm injury, so let's wish him a speedy recovery. He would do the same for you - he's nice like that.

Building A Goalkeeper: Explosiveness and Speed, Part III

2011-04-20T15:23:00.002-04:00

The physical performance aspect of goalkeeping is largely about lower body reactive movement. To that end, here's another of my favorites, the kettlebell swing. Watch the video first:

What I like about this exercise is the way it combines building explosive, reactive strength with a cardio element. Traditional squats are a great strength and mass building exercise, and as a lifetime member of the Skinny Legs Club, I include them in my training. But I feel the kettlebell swing is more directly related to athletic performance.

There's one more exercise to come in this series, and if I'm brave, I might just video myself doing it. We shall see.

Building A Goalkeeper: Explosiveness and Speed, Part II

2011-04-18T14:00:00.002-04:00

The ability to jump high, dive explosively, and move fast are obviously critical components for modern goalkeepers. While some are content to rely on natural athleticism, others work hard to maximize their body's potential. This series is for the latter.

Oscar Ustari can jump. Can you?

The VertiMax Training System is...well, just watch the video, or at least the beginning. Much easier than me trying to explain.

For the record, I have no affiliation with VertiMax, and this isn't a paid ad. I just think it's an extremely useful tool for the modern goalkeeper. Not every gym has a VertiMax. I found one at Velocity Sports Performance in midtown Manhattan. Training regularly with it proved to be a bit hard to justify, continuing my age and also the noncompetitive level at which I now play. Nevertheless, in just a few sessions I felt significant improvement in both my vertical leap and first-step speed. Since the muscles involved had never been trained this intensely before, they responded very quickly.

If you can find a VertiMax near you, give it a try. Be prepared for pain. It's a lung-bursting, muscle-burning workout, and you probably won't walk very well the next day. Use it regularly though and I feel certain you'll see results.