Leigh Bedwell Interview Blog

The latest interview sees me speak to a good young goalkeeper just starting out in his professional career. Leigh Bedwell joined Swindon at the age of 9 and I started to coach him at the age of 14 within the Centre of Excellence at the time. Leigh is a young goalkeeper who I often use as an example when talking to and coaching young goalkeepers because he has always had a fantastic desire to work, learn and improve his game.  Apart from his family there was nobody more pleased than me when he was awarded his first professional contract at Swindon Town and its great to see him involved in the first team squad every week. Leigh took time out from his busy schedule to answer a few questions:

First year as a professional after coming all the way through the youth system from 9 years of age, how are you finding it?

I’m really enjoying it, being a 'professional' is what I have always wanted and what so many young lads aspire to be. I feel really lucky to be in the position I am in. It’s a step up from youth football but I think I have adjusted to it well so far and feel that i’m learning and improving every day.

Since the age of 9 you have been coached by a few different coaches but what aspects of the sessions have you enjoyed and what have you least enjoyed about goalkeeping training/coaching?

I have been really lucky as all the goalkeeping coaches I have had have been brilliant to learn from, starting with Sal Bibbo, yourself, George Wood and currently with Domenico Doardo. I really enjoy the basics just constantly catching volleys and half volleys as it’s a goalkeepers bread and butter. I also enjoy the games for shot stopping such as goalie wars which are a bit of fun and a laugh but help you improve! When I was younger I didn’t enjoy practicing kicking as I was so inconsistent and got really frustrated at times but it’s something all young goalkeepers struggle with but everyone comes through it once you learn the technique properly, I really enjoy kicking now though!

What aspects of goalkeeping coaching do you feel are the most important at a young age?

As boring as it sounds I think it’s the basics! Just catching a ball and footwork, young goalkeepers need to concentrate on the simple things and the 'worldy' saves take care of themselves and just happen naturally! Also as I said above I struggled with kicking when I was younger so I think it’s important for keepers to start striking the ball with a correct technique at an early age, once they get the technique right the distance will improve as their muscles develop.

In the future (hopefully a long time off yet!) if you were to go down the path of goalkeeping coaching what would your philosophy be?

The basic job description for a goalkeeper is to stop the ball crossing the white line so I would encourage a goalkeeper to do all he/she can to stop the ball and then help him/her along the way with vital techniques to improve. All they need is the hunger and desire to stop the ball.

Name a few goalkeepers in the current or recent era that you look up to and enjoy watching play and why?

The obvious one is Joe Hart I think any English goalkeeper would say that he's a great talent and an inspiration to us all.  I’ll also add Shay Given to that currently not playing in the Premier League regularly but he’s been one of the best in the Premier for as long as I can remember. His consistency is impressive to play at the top level for so long and so well, is amazing.  I’d also like to mention Brad Friedel and Mark Schwarzer also playing at the top level for so long, not always the most orthodox but they get the job done which is the most important thing.

Nowadays there are many different pieces of equipment that can be used when coaching goalkeepers such as ladders, poles, rebound nets, response balls (balls with lumps on that bounce differently to create reaction saves), what do you think about this type of equipment, good or you prefer to keep things simple?

I think modern equipment is good if it’s used in the right way.  At Swindon we often use rebound walls and nets the day before a game to switch on our reactions and make sure we’re sharp and ready for action. Ladders are also important as I think footwork is massive, you don't see or hear on Match of the Day the commentator mentioning the goalkeepers footwork but when a goalkeeper makes a great save more often than not he has had to use quick feet to help him make the save! I have not used response balls yet but would be keen to give them ago, maybe the shape of them would make it difficult to catch but they could help!

What would be the best piece of advice you could give to a young goalkeeper who aspires to be a professional goalkeeper?

Being a goalkeeper is the hardest position in the world, but if you work hard in training and listen and take on board exactly what your coach says you will learn and improve. Every goalkeeper makes mistakes, if you make a mistake it doesn't matter as long as you learn from it then you become a better goalkeeper. Don't let the highs get you too high or the lows get you to low.

I would just like to personally thank Leigh for taking the time out to answer my questions.

Watch this space for the next in the series of interviews coming up shortly................................

Guest Article - Goal Kicks

When coaching young goalkeepers, one area of the game that they often find hard is that of kicking, especially goal kicks.

I have spoken about the importance of distribution for the modern day goalkeeper and you can find more about this by clicking on the "About Us" tab and then going to "Goalkeeping Information".

Through the social media that is Twitter I often talk to many different goalkeeping coaches across the country and beyond and many issues we discuss. One such goalkeeping coach is Jamie Wiseman who works in the Eastleigh area, you can see more on Jamie on his website  http://jw-goalkeeper-coaching.co.uk

I would just like to share with you a great article Jamie has done on the topic of goal-kicks and thank Jamie for allowing me to share his article on my website:

Goal Kick’s

On getting around coaching in the last few weeks I am so disappointed to be told that some goalkeepers are still not being allowed to take their own goal kicks.

This is the tired old attitude of coaches / managers out of touch and “in it for themselves” not the development of the goalkeeper.

Can anyone tell me how far Joe Hart kicked the ball at 10 years of age? No, because it doesn’t matter. What matters is the fact he was allowed to develop, practise and try it out in a game scenario. This is why his kicking now, is so accurate.

If you are a goalkeeper who is being prevented from taking your goal kicks ask your manager these questions:

1) If I were weak at crosses, would you put someone else in goal for corners?

2) If I need development with my goal kicks, what coaching or training can you provide me with to improve this area, and when can I take this practise into a game situation?

3) How many goals have we conceded because of my goal kick not going as far as the “big lads”? If the answer is none – what is this actually achieving?

The philosophy of so many managers is the biggest player who can kick the furthest should take the goal kick. WHY? What does this actually achieve?

The long ball game, kick and rush with little to no development of the other players and goalkeeper.

Any manager / Coach working with young players should be setting the environment for them to learn and develop. Taking the practise into a live game scenario is an absolute essential part of the goalkeeper’s development.

There are many ways to assist a goal keeper in improving, not just their kicking but their distribution as a whole.

I like to see all goalkeepers taking their own goal kicks regardless of their ability to “punt it long”. By working on your technique, mind set and routine, will assist your kicking as your body naturally develops and gets stronger. Not only will you then be able to kick the ball long if desired, you will have the technical ability to keep the ball accurate. It’s accuracy that counts, not the distance.

I usually coach my goalkeepers some basic principles:

1) Try and create a slightly raised area of pitch (sometimes difficult with some of today’s pitches)

2) Place the ball down so your target area of the ball (Valve, marking etc) is facing you, just below the centre of the ball.

3) Place your standing foot along side the ball (approx 1 ft to the side and then 1ft back). Then measure 4 – 6 long strides back.

4) Pick the area of the pitch you want to find by looking at it and visualising yourself kicking the ball

5) Take 2 deep breaths and relax your body

6) Now focus solely on the target area of the ball, ensure you plant your support foot accurately, strike your target area of the ball (with confidence) with the laces of your boot, ensure you kick right through the ball and follow through.

7) Practise, practise, practise, practise

If your manager continues to encourage the “big lad” to take the kicks, provide them with this article for reference and their own coaching development.

All goal keeper job’s, should be done by the goalkeeper.

Dave Lucas Interview Blog

Following on from my first interview with AFC Bournemouth Goalkeeping coach Neil Moss, this week I caught up with former Swindon Town goalkeeper Dave Lucas who I got to know during his time with Swindon. Dave has made over 300 professional appearances and although still a current professional at Championship side Birmingham City he is also now starting to get more involved with the coaching side of the game. From experience I saw at close hand how encouraging Dave was with the younger goalkeepers at Swindon so I think he will prove to be an excellent coach!

What is your coaching background and who do you currently coach?

I am currently a member of the first team squad at Birmingham City, alongside which i am head of academy goalkeeping at

Preston North End. I consider myself on the first few rungs of the coaching ladder with loads to learn and am looking forward to the challenge.

Last season I was player/1st team GK coach at Rochdale F.C, great experience but not sure I would take on a dual role again.

What goalkeeping coaches have impressed you over the years and why?

Over the years i have been lucky to have had the pleasure of working with some truly great GK coaches. Mike Kelly and Peter Bonetti whilst involved in the England set-up, both had unique personalities and had such depths of knowledge. Working with Mike in the summer of 1996 is an experience I will never forget, and he influenced my GK mentality and technique more than anybody before or since.

At club level, Billy Mercer, Jim Blythe, Roy Tunks, John Lukic, Andy Beasley, Pete Williams, George Wood, Eric Nixon, Kelham O'Hanlon and currently John Vaughan have all passed on invaluable advice over the years.

What is your coaching philosophy or what is important to you when coaching goalkeepers?

As far as coaching philosophy goes I firmly believe that positivity is the key. Whether that be footwork, starting position, decision making, communication or whatever, give me a positive keeper every time.

How would you prioritise the various different aspects of goalkeeping coaching?

For me, the basic priorities of goalkeeping have and will always be the hands and feet. The quicker/stronger the GKs feet, the easier he will find it to get into position to make saves, come for high/through balls and of course will help with the GKs distribution.  Good hands is taken for granted but cannot be overstated, when working with younger GKs I like to stress the basics of good hands linking in to the "set" position and how the hands and feet work in tandem.

How would your coaching differ across the younger age ranges up to senior goalkeepers?

As I said above working with youngsters for me is all about nailing down the basics and encouraging their enjoyment for playing in goal. I like to keep the sessions I do with schoolboys really light-hearted and fun. When working with the scholars at PNE I still believe the basics of hands and feet are the platform to work from, along with emphasising the role of the keeper within the team. The need for a strong and positive mentality is something I try to impress upon the lads.

Nowadays there are many different pieces of equipment that can be used when coaching goalkeepers such as ladders, poles, rebound nets, response balls (balls with lumps on that bounce differently to create reaction saves), what do you think about using this type of equipment?

Keeping training fun and interesting is a challenge for all coaches, if different pieces of equipment can help that then i'm all for it. Jumping over three hurdles, doing a forward roll and making a save isn't something that has happened too regularly in any matches I have played in so I don't like to over do it though.

Rebound boards are a favourite of mine to use as it adds a bit of variation to some of my drills. The response balls are something that I am very keen to try out its just I haven't got around to them just yet.

What gives you the most satisfaction as a coach?

The most satisfaction I get as a coach is always at the end of a session, knowing that the lads have enjoyed themselves and taken a few pointers on board to use in their up coming matches.

I would just like to personally thank Dave for taking the time out to answer my questions.

Watch this space for the next in the series of interviews coming up shortly................................

Neil Moss Interview Blog

Over the next few weeks I intend interviewing a number of goalkeeping coaches and goalkeepers and get their views and experiences on goalkeeping coaching and goalkeeping.

Today we start with Neil Moss. Neil has played over 200 professional games, the majority with AFC Bournemouth also having short spells with Gillingham and Southampton.

What is your coaching background and who do you currently coach?

AFC Bournemouth 1^st team goalkeeping coach for 4 years.

AFC Bournemouth Academy goalkeeping coach 6 years, whilst still playing.

Owner of Between the Sticks goalkeeper school based in the Bournemouth area. We have 80-90 goalkeepers per week, all ages and abilities and i've been doing this for 7 years.   www.betweenthesticks.co.uk

What goalkeepers have impressed you over the years and why?

Any goalkeeper that has been consistent in their approach and game-play. Brad Friedel, Shay Given, Petr Cech, Van der sar. For me a goalkeeper must have played in the premier league to have fully tested themselves.

What is your coaching philosophy or what is important to you when coaching goalkeepers?

Technique. A goalkeeper must deal with the same shot in the same way every time he/she trains or plays.

Observe a goalkeepers strengths/weaknesses before you start to coach. Just because a goalkeeper does something different to your ideals doesn’t make it wrong.

Repetition, a goalkeeper coach’s job is to repeat as many times as possible every scenario a goalkeeper may face in a match.

How would you prioritise the various different aspects of goalkeeping coaching?

Playing out from the back is now more important than ever. Over a third of my time is taken up with “outfield sessions” so the goalkeepers improve their passing and ball control.

I will cover crossing at least twice a week in different ways. The goalkeepers do plyometrics twice a week with the fitness coach and also do gym work twice (game permitting)

The rest of my time is taken up by simulating saves and positions in relation to ball exercises.

How would your coaching differ across the younger age ranges up to senior goalkeepers?

Younger goalkeepers should be told all the basics of goalkeeping and taught technique in how to handle the primary saves.

Basic ball control skills should be taught as part of every session.

Older goalkeepers should be given more scope to adapt techniques to their own style; different goalkeepers will take up different positions depending on their size, speed and confidence.

Nowadays there are many different pieces of equipment that can be used when coaching goalkeepers such as ladders, poles, rebound nets, response balls (balls with lumps on that bounce differently to create reaction saves), what do you think about using this type of equipment?

I use all the above equipment except the response ball. I think it’s a good idea but feel the bumps make it difficult to handle.

I’m a big fan of goalkeepers training with the exact ball they play with. There’s enough different ways to provide erratic ball flight and bounce with a standard ball.

The other equipment I use on a regular basis.

What gives you the most satisfaction as a coach?

At between the sticks being able to see very easily the kids we have coached compared to the newcomers.

I would just like to personally thank Neil for taking the time out to answer my questions.

Watch this space for the next in the series of interviews coming up shortly................................

Coming Soon......................

Coming shortly a series of Interview blogs with a range of different goalkeeping coaches. Look out for these on my Blog pages! 

Treat Your Goalkeeping Gloves

Your goalkeeping gloves are the "Tools of your Trade" and therefore need looking after. I have used for years and thoroughly recommend using glove wash. Not only does it help keep them clean, more importantly the chemicals help keep the latex soft and enhance the life of the gloves.

I recommend the following supplier:

Just Keepers Ltd

www.just-keepers.com

01455 233355

AquaKleen Goalkeeper Glove cleaning solution costs £7.00 per bottle and if you quote discount code SHGK you will get 10% off

Back In The Swing Blog

As the title to the blog suggests, the season is now underway both in the professional game and now in the non league and grass roots game with most teams in the local leagues such as the North Wilts League having started last week. My goalkeeping school has been re-open now for two weeks with our third session coming up next Wednesday. Despite the change of evening and initial concerns having lost a few goalkeepers due to them training with their team on a Wednesday I have at the same time picked up some new goalkeepers which is good. It's nice to work with regular goalkeepers and try and help them develop over a period of time but its also nice to see what new talent is out there in the local area. I say local but not for the first time I have a goalkeeper from the Bristol area travelling down for sessions which is pleasing. Its also been great to see a couple of faces return who had to previously have a break including one female goalkeeper who looks to really be developing well as a talented goalkeeper.

I am still toying with the idea of opening up a session in the Calne/Chippenham area and held talks with a venue towards the end of last season. However its finding the right coaches in the area to work and support it as I can't physically do everything myself with my commitments at Swindon Town and Chippy also has a number of commitments himself. This is something I will continue to look at and monitor and so if your a budding goalkeeper coach reading this blog looking for coaching work please email me your details.

As you will have seen from the news items on my website I am happy to advertise for clubs who are looking for goalkeepers or goalkeepers who are looking for clubs. So feel free to drop me an email with your requirements and i'll endeavour to spread the word. I recently posted details about a young goalkeeper who used to come to my sessions who was looking for a new club. Within hours of posting those details on here and on my "Steve Hale Goalkeeping Facebook Page" he had two offers! I was glad to hear from his Dad to say he had been fixed up, it was great to be able to help.

Its been a very busy start to the new season in my role at Swindon Town but in no way am I complaining. Although we have had some dodgy weather when you consider its supposed to be summer, generally its been great working with the goalkeepers at our nicely situated and picturesque training ground. However at times my poor old shiny head has taken a bit of a battering from the sun!

A tough schedule was in place for the scholars and although our new young scholar goalkeeper moaned as most goalkeepers do when it comes to pre season we got him through it and already he has started to look physically stronger for it and benefitted his game. With it being the school holidays our young under 16's goalkeeper has shown a great attitude and come in regularly with the scholars as well. Getting the chance to spend more time working with him and the chance for him to be challenged by training with the scholars has been a big benefit to him and the improvements in his game have been noticed not only by me but by a number of other people so im really pleased for him.

The younger Academy goalkeepers have been back in regularly since the 1st of August and they really are an enthusiastic bunch and a pleasure to work with. Under the new EPPP (Elite Player Performance Plan) all Academy players will train three times per week which for the goalkeepers will be divided up between work with me and work with their squad. Its a big commitment for not only the players themselves but also their parents who have to taxi them about and they have my utmost respect for the support they give their children. Most people know that few make the grade as professionals but even if they don't make it I like to think we can still help them develop as players and as people broadening their social skills and still try and play the best level of the game they can.

I actually had to don the gloves again myself recently when I took part in a charity match for a Swindon Town Staff & Veteran team against Fairford Town Veterans in aid of the British Heart Foundation. This is an annual game to also remember John Hathaway who played for Fairford and was a coach at Swindon. I never thought I would be in the same line up as Paolo Di Canio, Ian Woan, David Duke, Jerel Ifil, Paul Bodin, Alan Mcloughlin to name a few! Though having seen the team photo in the Evening Advertiser the next day and after taking some abuse from a few facebook friends perhaps I should of prepared for it as the shirt was what you call "snug"! At least it inspired me to hit the gym more and look at what I eat, so a positive did come out of it and ive lost nearly half a stone since! hahaha

Onto my new style of goalkeeper glove that is out this season "The Keeper" glove. I'm pleased with how they are performing and its great to see young goalkeepers wearing them. In the market place today there are a wide range of gloves with many companies marketing their gloves in a wider range of places than I do. I am not into hard sell, I simply don't have the time and at present its not my main drive to try and conquer the world with my gloves. Some brands throw hundreds of pairs of free gloves at full time professionals in order to get them to wear their models and spread the word and good luck to them if they can afford to do that. The funny thing is the professionals are the ones with plenty of money yet get free gloves out of it which always amuses me but like I say fair play, if it helps sell gloves good luck to them. I have produced a glove that is reasonably priced in the current market and if goalkeepers at my goalkeeping school or at Swindon Town or anyone else for that matter want them thats great. Its nice to see a good proportion of the young goalkeepers I work with at Swindon wearing them and obviously with coaching daily I go through alot of pairs of gloves in a season myself.

One thing that I notice though is that young goalkeepers still don't look after their gloves enough which always surprises me. Your gloves are your "Tools of your trade", look after them and they will look after you. If you don't wash them fairly regularly the latex with go dry and the grip will get worse, quite simple really! Even with a well priced pair of gloves it will still cost you a few pounds over the course of the season as gloves don't last long because the better the grip, the softer the grip and the more wear and tear will happen so I do preach that you should look after them. For years now I have bought "Glove Wash" which I tend to get from Just Keepers www.just-keepers.com it doesn't cost the earth and you don't need too much per wash in a shallow sink of warm water and I use an old tooth brush which has gone soft to brush the dirt from the palm, rinse off and dry naturally.

Finally over the next few days have a look at www.gksforgosh.co.uk which is a very worthwhile cause raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital. I came to know about it via Lee Harrison who is the First Team goalkeeping coach at Wycombe Wanderers as sadly his young son is currently being treated at the hospital. The aim is to raise funds to go towards supporting a great hospital which does so much good for children up and down the country. GKs for GOSH also have a facebook page and Twitter account so you can find out more details there if your into social media.

Anyway thats enough for now, whenever I do these blogs I get carried away and start waffling!! 

Under 14 Goalkeeper seeks new club

7 years experience as a goalkeeper, seeks a new club, following the folding of existing team

Please call Marc on 07841 491590 if interested in offering a trial

General Update Blog

Well its just under 4 weeks till I re-open my goalkeeping school for its 6th year! That in itself is something I am proud of and I have always strived to try and help the young goalkeepers of Swindon and the surrounding area improve on and off the pitch. Obviously the reason young goalkeepers come to my goalkeeping school is to develop their goalkeeping skills but I also like to think they learn other skills that can be used in life in general. Skills such as commitment, hard work and giving your best, respect, team-work and social skills I like to encourage.

I have always run my sessions on a Monday evening but due to my increased commitments at Swindon Town this season I am having to change to a Wednesday evening for the time being. I understand that some of the local clubs that young goalkeepers play for may train on this evening but if the club wants to help their goalkeepers improve with specialised coaching it would be great if they actively encourage their goalkeeper to still come to our sessions. I get told a lot by parents and even coaches of teams that their goalkeeper doesn't get any specialised work within their club. That is not a criticism of the clubs in the area, it just means that they probably don't have a qualified goalkeeper coach within their setup so are limited to how they can help their young goalkeepers. I look at it this way and i'm sure my good wife will agree, I am useless around the home, can't even change a plug and wouldn't know the right end of a paintbrush! Therefore if something needs doing in our house, we would get someone who is trained in that particular field and someone who does have the experience to do the job. So whats the difference when it comes to coaching young goalkeepers? there isn't one! Give your goalkeepers the chance to develop by not only working with experienced coaches but also working with other young like-minded goalkeepers and help push them on. Despite the rising costs everywhere I am maintaining the monthly fees of £26.00 for the third consecutive year. The only slight change is a "once a year" registration fee of just £5.00 which im sure you will agree is not alot!

As stated before through my role at Swindon I also use my goalkeeping school as somewhat of a development centre and there have been a number of young goalkeepers who I have taken into Swindon for trials and some of whom have signed contracts. As stated on my front page probably the most notable recent one being Jared Thompson who has now gone on to even bigger things at Chelsea. Also through the grass-roots grapevine if I hear of any young goalkeepers doing well, I can arrange with our Head of Scouting at Swindon to get these goalkeepers watched and monitored for the future.

Over the years I have had a number of young goalkeepers who have been with me for a good period of time and shown great loyalty to my goalkeeping school. This is something I have always appreciated and its great to hear stories of their "worldy" performances from their parents, the goalkeepers themselves or when I see their name in the grass roots section of the Evening Advertiser which I get each week.

I recently returned from the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland with Swindon, a fantastic experience once again. We took a very mixed age group squad for the tournament so expecations weren't high in terms of winning a trophy, the goal was more about the experience the players would gain from it and thus aiding their development. Despite going out of the main Milk Cup section we did however win the "Bowl" competition so it was a nice reward for all the lads hard work. Our goalkeeper had a good tournament which was pleasing and i'm sure he will have gained a lot from the experience.

I have been back in with the scholars at Swindon since the 2nd July and pre season has gone really well! In terms of results we drew with Newport County then beat English Colleges, Nike Academy, Portsmouth, Cardiff City and Swansea City and to be fair the lads have been on fire! We now start our league campaign this Saturday with Torquay Utd at home followed by a local derby away at Bristol Rovers so i'm really looking forward to seeing if the lads can maintain that form. Again our goalkeeper who is new to the club has been very effective in these games and im just starting to get to know his strengths, and also areas of his game that we need to work on. Being in daily we can look to improve and develop him over the coming season. Today I went with him as he was required by the first team goalkeeper coach at the club for a short session, his first with the seniors. Its always good to watch other goalkeeper coaches work as I believe we can all learn off each other and with Domenico being Italian its good to see how his style varies to English coaches and its always an interesting conversation when speaking with him. It was also great to see Leigh Bedwell working having worked with him myself for 4-5 years as he came through the system and he is certainly developing well.

My new gloves have been delivered, along with a key-ring designed in the same style. I truly believe this is the best glove I have had produced so far. They come in sizes 6, 7, 8 & 9 and if I receive demand for gloves in a size 5 or size 10 I will get some made, though I don't find size 10 a popular size at all. "The Keeper" gloves are now on sale priced at £25.00 per pair or two pairs for £40.00. These prices fall in-line with a host of other goalkeeping gloves out there in the market place and are most definitely value for money. I hope to shortly have pictures up on this website for you all to see. They are currently on display on my "Steve Hale Goalkeeping Facebook Page" and also I have posted pictures on my twitter account @SteveHaleGK

Thats all for now folks, i'm looking forward to the start of the new season!!!!

Under 9 Team Seek Goalkeeper

ASC Youth FC are looking for an Under 9's goalkeeper for the coming 2012/13 season.

The majority of our U9's team have been together since the age of 6 and until now have shared goalkeeping duties, however we now feel that a specialist GK would be a huge benefit to what is already a very good side.

All coaching is undertaken by UEFA B and FA Level 2 coaches.

Please contact Nick Bolton, Tel: 01793855730 Mob: 07745 230226 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.