Hawaii Rush

Rush Union WI

July 20, 2021

Clueless about Goalkeeping? Help your team, NOW!

This is the first part of a series of articles that Sean Connors, Rush Soccer’s Global Goalkeeping Director, will share with us with the main goal of helping the field coach learn about GK.

Being a great Rush Coach means coaching every player on your team to be the best player they can be .  Unfortunately if you weren’t a goalkeeper during your playing days, or have had the chance to take a GK specific coaching course, it can be difficult to properly coach the goalkeeper on your team.  Learn some basics below that will make your goalkeeper, and your team, better right away!

Where should the goalkeeper stand in the goal

What does it mean to “Get Set?”

  • The goalkeeper “Gets Set” just prior to a shot being taken.
  • Feet should be just beyond shoulder width, with knees slightly bent.  The knees should not go beyond toes.
  • Hands should be facing each other as if holding an imaginary ball. Hands should be far enough away from their body that they can see them while looking at the ball. This will help get body weight forward onto toes.
  • Arms should be parallel to the ground.
  • Communicate to your goalkeeper to “see the ball, see your hands, catch the ball.”

The starting position of the hands allows the GK to react to shots high and low.  By starting with hands in a catching position, they should move together toward the ball thus giving the GK the best chance to catch the ball vs blocking.

The biggest key to a goalkeeper getting set is that their feet need to be on the ground in order to react and move to where the shot goes.  If they are in the air or bouncing, it will limit their ability to move and can result in allowing easy savable goals.

When the shooter gets closer, especially in a one v one situation, the GK’s hands will go lower and wider, but should still be past their knees to keep body weight forward.  It is ok to have the hands apart at this point because the priority is blocking the goal and getting big, versus focusing on catching the ball.

By helping your goalkeeper stand in the correct position, and get set before each shot, the success of your goalkeeper and team will only increase!

Learn more about Goalkeeping for Coaches  HERE !

Coach Announcements

June 5, 2023
RUWI Welcomes New Coaches

Partnering for a Better Future

By Joe Manley • May 14, 2023
Kenosha, WI and Racine, WI - April 11, 2023 - Rush WISE and AFC Union announce a partnership creating a player pathway for all players from Southeastern Wisconsin under the umbrella of Rush Union WI. Rush Union WI will offer boys and girls teams for ages U12-U19. The two clubs, both prominent in Southeastern WI and their respective communities, will collaborate to leverage their combined resources for the benefit of players, coaches, and families. “We are so excited to offer this opportunity for the kids and families in our communities. We have a rich soccer history in this area and look forward to writing the next chapter of excellence through our collaboration.” said Vlatko Minic, Technical Director and Director of Coaching, Rush Wise. For years, the two clubs have provided excellent soccer options to youth throughout southeastern Wisconsin. These two clubs share a similar ideology and playing style. Player development has always been a primary emphasis for Rush WISE and AFC Union, with the goal of providing the finest player experience possible, across both the training and game environments. “We are thrilled to partner with Rush WISE to create a unified premier soccer program for Southeastern Wisconsin. This partnership will provide the opportunity for the youth in Racine, Kenosha, and the surrounding areas to play and compete at all levels, while staying close to home." - Nick Wentorf RASA/AFC Union, Board President Players of all levels will benefit from some of the best coaching talent in the State, and gain access to the Rush network and national competition platforms. (See our player pathway for more information). “We piloted this joint effort last season and saw tremendous success with all three teams in their local and regional competitions. Through this joint effort, we will not only strengthen the opportunities for the top players, but for all developing players in our organization.” said Roy Wiggemansen, Director of Soccer, AFC Union Rush Union WI expects these new elite team opportunities to attract players of the highest caliber from across a wide footprint in Wisconsin. The tryouts for these new teams will occur during the usual June timeframe for soccer clubs in Wisconsin.

A License To Learn

By duda • August 18, 2022
The post A License To Learn appeared first on Rush Soccer.
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