Additional Post 1: Hands, A New Breakdown of Positioning

During my mentorship over the summer I was watching Jeff Tackett explain hand positioning to a young goalkeeper (probably about 10 years old).  She was still in the beginning stages of her training focusing on hand positioning, foot skills, and agility.

Keeping in mind that I've been a keeper for approaching 8 years, ever since I learned hand placement, I never changed anything.  It's always worked, and if done correctly never fails.  During one training session Mr. Tackett explicitly explained the hand positioning showing her up close not only using her own hands, but also from other perpectives using his hands.

This picture shows the hand positioning for catching a ball above the waist.  This is how I learned it when I was still a kidlet.

The hands are arranged in a "W" position to give the catcher a strong hold.  With the hands in this position the ball can't continue it's forward momentum into the keepers body, or worse, the goal.

Another advantage to this hand position is that with small hands (like me and the young girl) it gives you a lot of coverage over the ball.  Your hand is touching much more of the ball than if you were to just put your hands out as if you were trying to tell a large vehicle to stop.



This hand positioning is also for catching above the waist, however, this is how many younger goalkeepers are being taught to handle the ball.

This hand positioning is more similar to catching a hand-egg (an American football).  The hands are a little further apart, but if the fingers were touching they would resemble a diamond.

I asked Mr. Tackett why he chooses to teach the younger group this style of hand positioning, and he said because it gives you even more surface area on the ball.  The positioning also has less chance of the ball going over the "W" since the hands are closer together at the top.

Although not the best choice, if a keeper decides not to wear gloves in the goal this would be the better option.  I would normally try to keep up with the changing status quo in the game of soccer, but hand positioning is something that I no longer think about.  It just happens and trying to change things messes everything up.  However, for new keepers, like the kidlets I've been helping Kim train will certainly benefit from the altered hand positioning.

Blog 4: Interview Preperation

1. I plan to interview Kim Nemeth.  I have chosen her as my first interview because she is not only my main mentor, but is also a very skilled goalkeeper.  She has been a goalkeeper herself for a long time, and has improved my game tremendously over the several years that she has been my trainer.

2.  My additional questions:

• Do you plan on trying to make coaching young goalkeepers a full time job? Or just a part time hobby?
• How long have you been training keepers individually?
• How would you describe you coaching style to a new client of yours?
• I grew up in the AYSO system playing soccer.  It was very rare that there was anyone other than me that wanted to play in goal full time, and the number of competent young girls (and boys) wanting to play the position seems to have declined.  What training and advice would you give a group of young kids to get them excited rather than terrified of the position?
• How many years of keeper specific training did you have before you felt you were completely confident in goal? 
• Did you even have keeper specific training along with team training before you made the college team?

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals

1. Soccer Goalkeeping

2.

• To better myself as an iPoly citizen I plan on being a part of numerous activities and senior committees.  I am a Co-President of H.O.P.E Club and plan on help making the club much better and more involved than it has been in the past.
• To be an effective learner I plan to take my organization to a better level so I have more time for studying or doing homework rather than looking for a paper I misplaced.
• I will be an effective user of technology by using my laptop LESS.  By staying off the internet I can have more time for project work and homework.  By being on the internet for a shorter period of time each day will allow me to complete my tasks in a more timely manner.  I always use technology when it's needed for school work, but sometimes I just use it too much.
• In the past I haven't been the most effective communicator because I don't like talking on the phone to not only say a group member, but also to someone who could help me like a possible mentor.  I would much rather talk in person or through email or text.  By being able to make phone calls when it's important I can make better connections and put my self in a better situation.

Summer Mentorship Component

Literal:

1. This is my mentorship log outlining what I did at each training session.
2. Kim Nemeth, Personal Goalkeeper Trainer and AYSO Coach, 909-573-6378
    and Jeff Tackett, Southern California School of Goalkeepers Director and former Cal Poly Pomona       Assistant Coach, 909-229-7929
3. What direction do I want to head with this as my senior project?
    Do I want to do the training side of goalkeeping, or the athlete side of goalkeeping?

Interpretive:

4. Coming into contact with the number of goalkeeping coaches that I did this summer is perhaps the         most valuable thing I have gained from this experience.  Not only Jeff Tackett, but all of Kim                 Nemeth's trainers, and Jeff's colleagues.  I have so many people I can outreach to if I need help with       something.

Applied:

5. Being on the field several times per week helping to coach goalkeepers has not only showed me that     I am really passionate about the position, but that there are a million and one things I can continue to       learn.  Helping train goalkeepers of all ages has shown me an inside look at the progression I took         when I was younger.  That birds eye view has helped my game on the field, but it is also an                   interesting perspective of the game that I've never really seen.  I can't wait to continue helping Kim         Nemeth and Jeff Tackett with their training for the rest of the year.