I always try to look for Goalkeeper coaching courses here in the U.S. I have 2 from the National Coaches Association of America. It seems that to get to the level 3 and 4 you need to travel cross country and to get the "ADVANCED NATIONAL" goalkeeper coaching certifercate, they also want you to have at least a "C OR B" License. Never can I find one of these National or advanced national goalkeeper coaching course in California.
The point being is I see some coaches getting the UEFA A,B AND C goalkeeper coaching license. Is the process easier in Europe? If I wanted to become a Pro keeper coach do you think one should also take the other courses like the "D, C, B AND A" normal coaching courses "non goalkeeping specific".
I have been coaching goalkeepers for 8 years now, I coach keepers from ages 7 years old to 25 years old.Currently I have 50 goalkeepers under me at the Soccer club where coach.
What can I do?
" THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE PRACTICE AND THE GAME SHOULD BE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE"
" LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF NOT FINDING YOURSELF"
in the UK, it's not necessary to take the regular C, B and A badges in order to get your goalkeeper coaching awards.
Joe, as an elite goalkeeper (I think I can rightfully call myself that) I think besides any fancy badges a coach might have, I prefer a coach with experience in the position. So for example, I would much rather have a coach that has played goalkeeper in college then a coach that thinks they know just from watching matches, attending a few coaching courses, but having never really touched a ball themselves. I also seem to get more respect from the goalkeepers I coach, hopefully not just because I am close to many of them in age (I am an assistant coach for a U17 boys club side) but also because I have been there and been in their position. The head coach of our team also played in college and for many years before and afterwards, and players feel a lot more comfortable asking other players for advice than somebody who is strictly a coach.
Liviu Bird
Joe, you're right that courses don't seem to come out to California much. But I'd say that if this is something you are serious about and really want to pursue, then you have to get on a plane and go wherever the courses are. I know your playing career was cut short by injury, so if you want to coach at the highest levels, you really need to have the highest levels of credentials.
There are some excellent goalkeeper coaches who were not fulltime professionals. Alex Welsh comes to mind. Of course, he played a very high level of semi-professional soccer.
Good Lookin out on the feed back. If you want it you go and get it. TRUE THAT.
Joe, the point is that unfortunately certificates are a neceassary evil in professional football and therefore we need to get them if we wish to be taken seriously. Sacrifices need to be made unfortunately (no matter how much the wife nags about "bloody football"!)
In the UK via the FA you have to spend money gaining outfield badges before being able to take position specific courses, however with the FAW and SFA you can go straight in and do them (by the way if you fancy a trip to the UK get straight onto the Welsh FA (faw trust) and book on their superb courses.
Experience of the position is esential but so is passion and innovation as being a good player does not necessarily mean becoming a good coach. I think that we can all name great coaches who only ever played semi pro? Great question though mate, and I think that the realistic answer is: As many as you want to achieve!
www.WarbyGK.com
Like PGC mentioned it is essential to be taken seriously and some parents and ALL clubs look to see your badges 1st before they have even seen you coach.
Get yourself here to Wales if you can do it, as it is the cheapest (As you dont have to your outfield badges 1st like the English FA) and best option IMHO.
UEFA 'B' Licence Goalkeeper Coach
PGC,
Thanks for that advice. I have taken the first course for outfield coaching. I will go into the second step with that. What is the website for FAW. Looks like might be interested in going if all looks good. In the U.S. if you have a badge from Europe it's more popular and more $$$$, I would assume. I like the training manuals you made from Pilgrim Goalkeeper academy.
Joe
The link to the FAW courses is here ....
www.fawtrust.org.uk
click on COACH EDUCATION then COURSES and locate the FAW B Licence-Coaching Goalkeeper and FAW C - Coaching Goalkeeper sections.
i have made enquiries about doing this myself and just need to save the required (lots!) of dollars to get myself frtom Melbourne to Wales. It seems to be the best option available for doing 'C' and 'B' licenses.
I wonder if we can arrange a TGB discount!!!?
Jimmy: Joe The link to the FAW courses is here .... www.fawtrust.org.uk click on COACH EDUCATION then COURSES and locate the FAW B Licence-Coaching Goalkeeper and FAW C - Coaching Goalkeeper sections. i have made enquiries about doing this myself and just need to save the required (lots!) of dollars to get myself frtom Melbourne to Wales. It seems to be the best option available for doing 'C' and 'B' licenses. I wonder if we can arrange a TGB discount!!!?
Its well worth doing guys seriously.
I had the added advatage though that i actually live in South Wales though. I know Sepp has traveled down to do one of the course also.
Im just waiting for enough people to pass the B licence (As is PGC), so that they will put on the A Licence.
Im hoping to get on the FAW goalkeeper award course in August in South Wales as i havnt done any previous certificates/awards for goalkeeper coaching - i want to start with the basics and work my way up. So far the contact from the FAW has been really helpfull too!
If the courses are as good as Ryan and Bob say - it should be a great experience.
Really looking forward to my coaching - Cant wait to get started !
I feel another Jimmy and Kiwi adventure coming on...
joezzza:I have taken the first course for outfield coaching
Good for you. The attitude to go into any course is that you want to learn as much as you can from it. The general coaching courses will help you become a better coach overall, for keepers as well as for field players.
Also, most of the field courses (USSF and NSCAA) have a small goalkeeper component. One of the best sessions I ever saw/took part in was when John Murphy did "Integrating the goalkeeper into team training" at my NSCAA National course. It was way better than a lot of the stuff I got at my National Goalkeeper Diploma.
I have my Advanced National diploma, just finished my B license course, and really want to do one of the week-long keeper courses through either USSF or NSCAA. I may also do my NSCAA premier and some of the other courses available in the USA (KNVB, BFUT, etc.) As a coach, just like a player, you need to keeper learning and improving.
MactheCatNo1: Its well worth doing guys seriously. I had the added advatage though that i actually live in South Wales though. I know Sepp has traveled down to do one of the course also. Im just waiting for enough people to pass the B licence (As is PGC), so that they will put on the A Licence.
Yeah I did the first one with my mate, who is an outfield player, in North Wales which is less than a hour from were I live and its well worth doing....couldnt recommend it highly enough . Nearly everybody on the course was from the North West of England who had travelled in for the day.
i think im going to have to disagree with alot of what has been said above . i understand the need for badges .. i do think there important , but ive been coached by some top coaches including Neville Southall for 3 years at canvey island , i learnt so much from these coaches and adapt this into coaching session's i take.
There are a few coaches round my area who i have grown up with , i know for a fact these guys are poor goalkeepers , bad techniques , no real playing experiance etc etc ... i just think that they pass on bad habits to the goalkeepers of 2mo
So all in all , although badges are important , it dosent mean your a bad coach if you havent got them
www.pro-gk.com