Wed, 04 December

Spatial Awareness

Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

This is a highly effective drill for training goalkeepers! It pushes both physical and mental limits, improving not only their technical kicking skills but also decision-making under pressure. The combination of scanning, adjusting body positioning, and reacting to multiple calls prepares keepers for real-game scenarios, where quick thinking and composure are essential. The "nothing is on" call to work on composure is a great way to simulate moments when options aren't clear, forcing the keeper to stay calm and make a smart long-range decision.

The goalkeeper drill is called "Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable," is designed to improve both the kicking accuracy and decision-making of a GAA keeper under pressure.

Setup:

  • The pitch is divided into 8 colored zones, marked with cones. These zones represent key areas the keeper would aim for during a game: short passes (to defenders), mid-range passes (to midfielders), and long-range kicks (towards forwards).

How the Drill Workd:

  1. Single call: The keeper approaches the tee and calls out one of the colored zones, like "yellow." He must then scan the field, locate the yellow zone, and kick the ball accurately into that area.
  2. Advanced - Two calls: The drill gets harder when the coach calls out a second color while the keeper is preparing for the first. For example, after kicking towards "yellow," the keeper needs to adjust his body and feet quickly to hit a second zone, say "blue." This tests the keeper’s agility and quick reactions.
  3. Further challenge - Multiple colors: As the keeper improves, the coach can shout out multiple colors, forcing the keeper to react quickly, think fast, and change direction repeatedly. This tests the keeper’s mental sharpness and focus under pressure.
  4. Composure challenge - 'Nothing is on' call: At any moment, the coach might shout "Nothing is on!" This simulates a situation where no clear options are available. The keeper then has to stay composed and make a smart decision, usually a long-range kick under pressure.

Key Goals:

  • Improve the keeper's kicking accuracy.
  • Build quick decision-making skills.
  • Train composure under pressure.
  • Develop the ability to react to sudden changes, just like in a real game.

This drill helps keepers develop the physical and mental toughness they need in high-pressure match situations!