Over 250 coaches gained an insight into how they can better engage their goalkeepers across all aspects of their development at The FA’s 2015 Goalkeeper Conference, which took place at St. George's Park on 19-20 April.
The two-day event featured some of The FA’s most senior coaches including England goalkeeper coach, Dave Watson, and England women’s goalkeeper coach, Lee Kendall.
Alongside a host of other national coaches and leading player development experts, they combined to deliver a programme of workshops and presentations that looked at how to develop goalkeepers more effectively by focusing on their technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social needs.
A coach takes notes during a workshop on the indoor 3G pitch at St. George's Park
Newcastle academy goalkeeper coach, Chris Terpcou, addressing players and coaches during his session on playing out, through and into
Stoke City first team coach, Eddie Niedzwiecki, spoke to coaches about the relationship between goalkeeper and outfield coaches
The headline theme of this year's event was Engaging Your Goalkeepers and, ahead of the event, England U21 goalkeeper coach and FA head of goalkeeper education, Martin Thomas, explained why it has been chosen.
“It was chosen to focus on our responsibility as coaches to engage with our goalkeepers technically, tactically, physically, psychologically and socially to develop them more effectively," he said.
“The goalkeepers of the future have got to be technically consistent in terms of everything they need to do because we are now in a situation where the impact the goalkeeper can have in a game is significant.
“Whether that is starting counter-attacks or looking to penetrate and get into the mid-third in controlled possession or even playing out and retaining possession, the goalkeeper will play a massive part.”
England futsal goalkeeper coach, Tony Elliott, showcased practices that focused on the goalkeeper's ability to make saves with the feet
England women's goalkeeper coach, Lee Kendall, provided an insight into how he works with the national team's goalkeepers
As well as FA national coaches, the conference featured representatives from European football as well as other sports for an insight into how they develop their keepers.
On day one, senior goalkeeper coach at La Liga side Granada CF, Luis Llopis, provided an overseas perspective while England Handball coach educator, Bobby White, examined some of the transferable skills that can be adopted by football coaches and used to develop football goalkeepers.
England Handball coach educator, Bobby White, worked with goalkeepers from the England futsal and blind squads
Granada CF goalkeeper coach, Luis Llopis, focused on receiving, passing and shot stopping in his practical workshop
Next up in The FA Licensed Coaches' Club conference calendar are the Regional Conferences, which will take place at nine venues up and down the country.
These events, which will run through May and June and are open to coaches of ALL levels, will focus on the theme of December's coaching conference - Playing Your Part - and will look at the five core elements of the England DNA and how you can play your part in delivering the future vision for English football.
To find out more about these upcoming events, including where they are taking place and details of how to book your place, please click here.
