Goalkeeper Foot Work Activity
 
One of the most important aspects of being a great goalkeeper is having great footwork. Good footwork allows a goalkeeper to get themselves into a position to receive a shot without the need to dive. If they should have to dive, their footwork gets them into a position to make an easy diving save rather than a full extension dive. The goalkeepers who have been attending the weekly goalkeeper sessions know that we begin every session with a series of footwork cone/ladder drills. They are as follows:
- Set up either a training ladder or 8 cones with about 1 foot of space in between each.
- Each activity is done 3 times unless otherwise noted.
  - One foot in each block (drive the knees and pump the arms!)
- Two foot in each block
- Side steps 3x facing each direction (the foot closest to the cone or ladder is the foot that goes over first, don't cross the legs)
- Hop Scotch (feet start outside wide then pop in between the cones or ladder square)
- In, In, Out, Out (a shuffle activity)
- 2 foot Bunny Hops (drive the knees up, not back. Land softly and explode up)
- 1 foot Bunny Hops 2x each leg
 
If you practice these cone/ladder activities at least 2 times a week, you will be amazed at how much faster and cleaner your footwork across the face of your goal will be. If you have any questions about this activity please feel free to contact to me at jensnydersoccer@gmail.com.

Towamencin Soccer Club "We Do Not Like Lines”

Coaches I am an avid believer that we should not use lines during our practices especially at the younger ages.

All our practices should be highly active and energetic. Lines in practices mean that your players are not working as hard as they could be. I often see lines of 10 players with 1-4 players working while most of your team is losing focus playing around and NOT LEARNING.

Lines mean that they are resting more than they are working, we only have two practices a week and do not have time for fitness (work fitness into every practice). If there are long lines off players standing doing nothing they are not improving their fitness.  Make rest periods short and working periods intense even with a ball this is working fitness.

Young players lose focus as soon as they stop doing things. DON’T LET THEM STOP, even on breaks they should be there drinking then back into practice. At the very youngest ages there should be no lines at all, a ball each and high skill development. KEEP KIDS ACTIVE.

I do use the occasional line at older ages when the teams work rates are intense. lines of 2-4 can help keep the level of intensity high, but again if we increase the line size there sitting out too long. Lines can be used at the end of practice when players are tired and winding down this is often the right time to slow them down and maybe finish with some shooting.

So coaches automatically improve your practice by getting rid of those lines, increase the fitness demand of the practice each payer will get a lot more touches on the ball, and you will keep the focus of your group for much longer periods.  

Thanks for your time

Chris Felber

Director of Coaching

Towamencin soccer club

SKILLS AND TURNS FROM CHRIS FELBER

ONE STAR TURNS

DRAG BACK: Player places foot on top of the ball and drags the ball back and goes in the exact opposite direction. Note; if your right foot is on top Turn to the Right, if your left foot is on top turn to the left.

INSIDE HOOK: Player is standing to the side of the ball and turns with the inside of the foot facing the ball. The player spins on the foot closes to the ball and "hooks” around to face opposite direction.

OUTSIDE HOOK: Player is standing to the side of the ball and steps in front of the ball to protect it, then with the outside of the foot closest the then ball touches the ball back wards and turns with the ball.

TWO STAR TURNS

CRUYFF: Player has the ball directly in front of them then the player makes and L shape in front of the ball the with the inside of the foot nocks the ball behind themselves and turns to face the ball in a new direction.

HALF ZICO: Player fakes over the top of the ball like they are going to shoot or cross the ball then before their foot hits the ground, the player must turn their ankle and knock the ball back like an OUTSIDE HOOK.

THREE STAR TURNS  

FULL ZICO: fakes over the top of the ball like they are going to shoot or cross the ball then lands their foot in front of the ball. The player will pivot on this foot in front of the ball and complete the second part like an INSIDE HOOK.

THE 7: Player places one foot on top of the ball and rolls over the top of the ball so the ball moves away from your body to the side then before letting go of the ball the player completes a DRAG BACK. Note; when done right it will look like the player is drawing a 7 with the ball.

FOUR STAR TURNS

HALF MCALLISTER: The player start the Turn like a CRUYFF but with the other foot finishes the turn like an OUTSIDE HOOK. Note; there should be no extra steps or touches between hitting with the inside of one foot and outside of the other foot.

THE KAISER: Player drags the ball back to their body with one foot then completes a full DRAG BACK with the other foot. Note; move can be done without letting feet touch the ground making the move faster

FIVE STAR TURNS

FULL MCALLISTER:  This is very basically two half MCALLAISTERS put together. . Note; there should be no extra steps or touches between hitting with the inside of one foot and outside of the other foot.

SKILLS AND TURNS FROM CHRIS FELBER

ONE STAR SKILL MOVES

FAKE: Player dribbles head on to a defender and steps to one side of ball then pushes of this planted foot and with outside of opposite foot heads in the opposite direction the originally stepped.

ROLL FAKE:  places one foot on top of the ball and rolls over the top of the ball so the ball moves away from your body   then knock the ball quickly back into the middle of your body with the inside of your foot.

TWO STAR SKILL MOVES

STEP OVER: Player dribbles head on to a defender and steps to one side of ball by moving their whole leg in a circular motion in front of the ball then the player pushes of this planted foot and with outside of opposite foot heads in the opposite direction the originally stepped.

REVERSE STEP OVER: Player fakes over the top of the ball like they are going to dribble across the body but instead miss over the front of the ball and quickly changes to the opposite direction originally intended. Note: this move is best used in combinations.

THREE STAR SKILL MOVES

THE FELBZ: Player steps in front and to the side of the ball with one foot, then with the other foot knocks the ball behind your front leg with the inside of your foot and quickly flick your foot around the ball so the outside of your foot can knock the ball in front of your leading foot. Note: you do not touch the ball twice your foot moves around quickly to hit the ball from the inside to the outside.

SNAKE:  Player pushes the ball to outside of their body with the outside of their foot (closer to toes) then quickly changes direction by knocking the ball back across their body with the inside of their foot (closer to big toe) Note: you do not touch the ball twice your foot moves around quickly to hit the ball from the outside to the inside.

SCICCORS: Player completes two steps over with both feet. Note; there should be no extra steps or touches between skills.

FOUR STAR SKILL MOVES

ANY 2 COMBOS: Example a FAKE followed by STEP OVER. Note; there should be no extra steps or touches between skills.

FIVE STAR SKILL MOVES

ANY 3 COMBOS: Example FAKE followed by STEP OVER followed by SNAKE Note; there should be no extra steps or touches between skills.

SUMMER CAMP IN TOWAMENCIN

Philadelphia Union guest appearance

 

This year’s summer Essential Camp is August 2^nd -6^th Bustard park 9am-3:30pm, The Camp will be run by Towamencin Soccer Club Director of Coaching Chris Felber and with the clubs partnership with local professional Club the Philadelphia Union, they will be sending a few players to make a guest appearance at the camp. Essential Camps typical day starts with a lot of fun and ends with a lot of fun but is filled with a valued learning experience in all aspects of the beautiful game.

 

August 2^nd – 6^th @ Bustard Park Towamencin

Full day 9am –3:00pm, Half Day 9am-12:00pm

Tiny Touches Class 11am-12pm $60

Half day costs $130 Full day costs $170

 

To sign up Register online at www.tyasports.com or email Felberca@hotmail.com for more information

 

Chris Felber

Director of Coaching

Towamencin Soccer Club

Towamencin expands our Select program

This year the U8 and U10 age groups will form their select teams early in the year and will start professional training September 10^th for 8 weeks. The training will be run by YSC trainer Jim Curtin (former MLS player) and the Club's DOC, Chris Felber. The training is going to be a great boost to those younger players looking to improve their foot skills and put in some extra hours.

This is just another option and expansion of the Towamencin Soccer Club program. As many IM players have been looking for more training, Towamencin has provided this service to meet the needs of our players. The 8 week program along with the professional training weeks, summer camp, and goalkeeping sessions expose our IM players to some of the best training in the area through the soccer season.

Chris Felber

Director of Coaching

Towamencin Soccer Club

 

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