Ian Clerihew is in his first season as an Assistant Coach at St. John´s University in Queens, NY. St. John´s are considered one of the top programs in Division 1 soccer being consistently ranked in the Top-20 with regular NCAA tournamnent appearances. Prior to joining St. John´s he was an Associate Head Coach at Northern Illinois University where he spent the last 3 seasons building the team into a Top-25 contender.

Clerihew also had successful stints at Akron and Linfield College.

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Incorporating the Goalkeepers into the Session

Warm Up:

Set Up:
Half the players in training vests as shown below. (one GK on each team). 1 ball for every 2 players. Area of play is half a field.

Explanation:
Pass and Move. Players begin with short passing (10-15 yards). Goalkeepers begin the exercise just like any other player on the team, receiving and passing with their feet only. After 1st stretch GK’s receive ball from team-mate with their hands. Balls played into GK in the air should be done so within the “frame” of the GK’s body. GK’s play ball back with either feet or hands.
Total Time – 10 minutes.

Coaching Points:

• GK needs to get in line with the ball.
• GK needs to be up on their “front studs” with weight slightly forward.
• Clean handling.
• Set on “swing of the leg”
• Communication needs to be clear and sharp.
• Awareness.

Note: Field players are not trying to finish in this portion of training.This is a technical warm-up for the goalkeepers as much as it is for the field players.

Phase I Speed of Play:

Set Up:
2 teams of equal numbers as shown below in Diagram (b). One GK per team. Area of play is approximately 35-45 yards.

Explanation:
Both teams compete for possession of the ball. Six passes must be completed for a goal – however, play continues with team in possession until there is a turn-over. Players need to call out each pass for it to count. GK’s may receive with either feet or hands. If they receive with their hands they must play ball within 2-3 seconds to keep flow of exercise going.
Total Time – 20 minutes.

Coaching Points:

• GK needs to get in line with the ball.
• Sharp and accurate passing/distribution.
• Clean handling.
• Set on “swing of the leg”
• Communication needs to be clear and sharp.
• Awareness.

Phase II Speed of Play with Direction / Playing to Targets:

Set Up:
Same playing area as Phase I above. Goalkeepers are positioned as targets as shown in Diagram (c) below.

Explanation:
Teams now play to one direction. Teams score by playing the ball into GK’s who is now playing as a target player. GK can use either feet or hands. In the above Diagram, Player (C) has received a lay-off from (B) and passed the ball successfully to the target goalkeeper.
Total Time – 20 minutes.

Coaching Points:

• GK needs to be active as the target player.
• Field players need to look to play target early
• All players need to support play when ball passes them either on the ground or in the air.

Phase III 3-Goal Game:

Set Up:
Same dimensions as in previous exercise with addition of 3 goals placed on each side and the middle of the grid as shown in Diagram (d) below.

Explanation:
Teams score by playing ball into target, target then must play ball back into area before team can score at one of the 3 goals. GK can use either feet or hands.If they use their hands they must play ball into area within 2-3 seconds. In the above Diagram, Player (A) has received a pass from the GK and passed to (B). (B) has scored a point by successfully passing through the central mini-goal to (C).
Total Time – 20 minutes.

Coaching Points:

GK needs to be active as the target player.
Field players need to look to play target early.
All players need to support play when ball passes them either on the ground or in the air.
Field player awareness to change point of attack after ball is played back from GK (target)
Field players need to change angle of run to make space to receive ball back from GK (target)

Cool Down:
Active stretch as a team (10 minutes)