New goalkeeping coach.

[Southcoastffc]

After the horrors of some of last season's goalkeeping, I hope that our new coach helps bring some stability and confidence to our defence.  We might even see some catching.

"The Club is pleased to confirm the appointment of Rob Burch as our new Goalkeeping Coach.

Burch arrives from the Football Association having worked this year with the England U16s and U20s teams.

The 35-year-old came through the Spurs academy in his playing days, taking in a number of loan spells before a permanent switch to Sheffield Wednesday.

He then joined Lincoln City in 2008 and went on to make close to 100 appearances across two seasons for the Imps, winning the club's player of the season award in 2009/10.

Burch spent the subsequent two seasons at Notts County before hanging up his gloves, later joining Spurs Academy as Head of Academy Goalkeepers where he also coached for the under-18s and worked alongside Scott Parker during the 2017/18 season. He also worked with Spurs' first team coaching staff and first team goalkeepers during his time there."

[Nero]

Hopefully being English he knows the dark arts of the English game and will get the keepers coming out to catch it or if not then roll on the floor when they miss it and just take everyone out on the way out the keeper never fouls anyone coming out for a cross it an unwritten rule in football if a centre half ran into a group of players a penalty would surely be given

[Andy S]

Do goalkeepers actually need coaching? Surely it is something that is taught at an early stage and it stays for life

[Woolly Mammoth]

Do goalkeepers actually need coaching? Surely it is something that is taught at an early stage and it stays for life

Goalkeepers do indeed need coaching. It is a specialist position, he is taught that the penalty area is his front garden, and no opponent should enter it. A Goalkeeper is coached to catch the ball at its highest point, and it's a different technique than catching a cricket ball. His hands have to be in a different position when catching the ball above his head. That's just one example, he is coached to have a presence, physically and verbally, coached to talk to his defenders who may have their back to play, when he is facing play. Most keepers are good shot stoppers, that's the easy bit.
But when it comes to getting their angles right, and their timing and their decision making, then that's a different kettle of fish. He is coached to make his goal look small. He is coached to set up walls, and how many defenders in the wall, with the tallest defender at the end of the wall in line with the post.
He is coached to command his area at all times, he is the governor in his six yard box. He also has a role to play in setting up attacks, and he needs coaching for that, it's a full time job.
That is just a few examples of so many, that helps a Goalkeeper in a match situation.
You have to be a certain kind of athletic with a unique mentality to be a Goalkeeper, that is why they have their own Union.

[Sting of the North]

Do goalkeepers actually need coaching? Surely it is something that is taught at an early stage and it stays for life

I assume you are trying to be funny?

[Fulham1959]

Do goalkeepers actually need coaching? Surely it is something that is taught at an early stage and it stays for life

Goalkeepers do indeed need coaching. It is a specialist position, he is taught that the penalty area is his front garden, and no opponent should enter it. A Goalkeeper is coached to catch the ball at its highest point, and it's a different technique than catching a cricket ball. His hands have to be in a different position when catching the ball above his head. That's just one example, he is coached to have a presence, physically and verbally, coached to talk to his defenders who may have their back to play, when he is facing play. Most keepers are good shot stoppers, that's the easy bit.
But when it comes to getting their angles right, and their timing and their decision making, then that's a different kettle of fish. He is coached to make his goal look small. He is coached to set up walls, and how many defenders in the wall, with the tallest defender at the end of the wall in line with the post.
He is coached to command his area at all times, he is the governor in his six yard box. He also has a role to play in setting up attacks, and he needs coaching for that, it's a full time job.
That is just a few examples of so many, that helps a Goalkeeper in a match situation.
You have to be a certain kind of athletic with a unique mentality to be a Goalkeeper, that is why they have their own Union.

Excellent and comprehensive summary, Woolly.

However, in his book "Football From The Goalmouth" (1948), P.126, Frank Swift says in respect of cross-balls :

"Always face the direction from which the ball is coming and, when you think you have it covered, leap out towards it and catch it as you would a cricket ball".  It was a tip he had learned from Harry Hibbs, the Birmingham and England goalkeeper.

In truth though, goalkeeping is now an entirely different art and requiring many more skills than it did 70 years ago.

[bobby01]

Do goalkeepers actually need coaching? Surely it is something that is taught at an early stage and it stays for life

Goalkeepers do indeed need coaching. It is a specialist position, he is taught that the penalty area is his front garden, and no opponent should enter it. A Goalkeeper is coached to catch the ball at its highest point, and it's a different technique than catching a cricket ball. His hands have to be in a different position when catching the ball above his head. That's just one example, he is coached to have a presence, physically and verbally, coached to talk to his defenders who may have their back to play, when he is facing play. Most keepers are good shot stoppers, that's the easy bit.
But when it comes to getting their angles right, and their timing and their decision making, then that's a different kettle of fish. He is coached to make his goal look small. He is coached to set up walls, and how many defenders in the wall, with the tallest defender at the end of the wall in line with the post.
He is coached to command his area at all times, he is the governor in his six yard box. He also has a role to play in setting up attacks, and he needs coaching for that, it's a full time job.
That is just a few examples of so many, that helps a Goalkeeper in a match situation.
You have to be a certain kind of athletic with a unique mentality to be a Goalkeeper, that is why they have their own Union.

I guess Rico and Fabri have never had one then. :hook: