Another Happy Just4keepers Goalkeeper

I have Just received my J4K sponsorship goalie gloves and they are some of the best keeper gloves I have used, at a quality price as well!!

Thank you for offering me such a special deal J4K, It really helps young keepers like me with great gloves and helps save me an awful lot of money !!

I cannot recommend J4K enough!

Thumbs up to J4k!

Ross Drinkell

Discounted Goalkeeper Gloves

Goalkeeping gloves are the most important parts of a keeper’s equipment. If you’re a casual GK, you may be able to get away with a pair of cheap discounted gloves. However, if you play with any degree of seriousness, cheap discounted gloves could cost you significantly more in the long run, both financially and professionally. 

Disadvantages of cheap Discounted Goalkeeper Gloves

Cheap gloves may save you a bit money up front, but that is pretty much the only benefit. If you end up having to buy new gloves constantly, then then benefit quickly dissappear.

·         Poor fit. cheap gloves tend to fit bery poorly or the palms are only 2cm thick. this is not good for a goalkeeper.

      Poor materials. on cheap gloves, nomally the materials are of poor standard. again this is no good for the keepers

·         Poor overall quality. Even if a pair of cheap discounted gloves is made with fairly decent materials, it may be poorly designed normally these gloves fall apart after just a few games.

Your gloves really aren’t the best place to be sacrificing quality to save money becasue in the long run, you will most probaby end up spending more money. 

Another tip: Always try your glove out first in your goalkeeping training. This way you can make sure its ok before you use in a game.

The below picture is J4K goalkeeper coach Wayne Brown with his new Just4keepers class in Southampton, UK. 

Wayne is one of the most experienced goalkeepers and GK coach to join  the J4K team playing professional level for over a decade in the England and also in South Africa.

He's now started goalkeeper training in Southampton and already has a waiting list for some of his classes so has opened a couple more. If you are a keeper from Southampton,contact Wayne (below) and arrange a free goalie coaching session, with him?

http://just4keepers.co.uk/goalkeepertraining-in-the-uk/goalkeeper-training-southampton

J4K Southampton

Finger Save Goalkeeper Gloves

If you are going to buy a pair finger save goalkeeper glovesand you cannot make a fist. Please DO NOT buy!

Just imaging punching someone with an open hand!!!

What is going to happen?

You will probably break your fingers. And this is what can happen if you pick the wrong type of fingersave goalie glove.

I have seen this soooo many times over the years, young keepers wearing these gloves and the gloves are that rigid they can only close their hands by 50%.

This is very very dangerous.

Imagine a cross coming over and a keeper punching the ball with all his or her strength, the chances are they are going to do some serious damage because they are technically striking with an open hand. This is bad.

Over my years as an international goalkeeper coach and founder of Just4keepers goalkeeper training schools, I have actually seen several of my students break their fingers because their fingersaves were too tight.

Finger savers can be a great glove BUT only when you get the correct ones were you can make a fist.

Last point, it is also worthwhile NOT buying the finger protected gloves that are cheap. Pay a bit more for this type of glove and you should be ok.

But remember; before you buy make sure you can make a fist!

Best of goalkeeping

Ray Newland

The J4K Goalkeeping Gloves have become one of the most popular gloves on the goalkeeping circuit with the J4K Gloves getting sold to more than 10,000 goalkeepers in 30 countries.

Check out the video blow to see how many keepers enjoy wearing our gloves!

The J4K goalkeeper residential  that is now in its third year of running has already seen goalkeepers coming from all corners of the planet!

In 2011, the furthest keepers came from as far as Singapore but this year this has been well and truly smashed by Goalies who are attending from New Zealand and Australia.

Check out www.goalkeepercamps.co.uk to see what has now become the biggest goalkeeping residential in Europe.

For non keeper residential goalkeeping camps throughout the USA, check out www.goalkeepercamps.net

The J4K Goalkeeper Challenge

Do you think you are the BEST Goalkeeper in your area who can pump our tons and tons of agility stomach goalkeeping training exercises…. well see if you can beat the Just4keepers goalkeeper student below!

If you can, why not send me a video of you beating this record!!! I will then put it on the Just4keepers website.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ09ZqbkEAc&feature=g-upl&context=G2a28244AUAAAAAAAAAA

Goalkeepers worldwide benefit from J4K

I get a lot of thank you emails re the jus4keepers goalkeeper gloves and what myself and J4K is trying to do to set the trend of offering high quality gloves at fair prices, I had to put this testimony in.

My son received his second pair of your J4K gloves the other week, along with his "sponsor me" free pair. He loves them. Jack plays for the St. John's 14a team here in Newfoundland, Canada, and your gloves are used almost every day. Thanks for making top quality gloves at an affordable price for these kids - it allows them to love the position and have confidence that the equipment they wear will back them up every time. Enclosed is Jack's photo as per your deal.

Regards,

Richard Haywood

Another J4K success story!

 

Above is ex J4K student Josh Cook. Josh trained with Just4keepers goalkeeper training schools for over 5 years with his 2 brothers Nathan and Jimmy.

Josh is now a goalkeeper for Burnley Football Club and J4K is very proud to say how well Josh is doing. Josh was taught by J4K Founder Ray Newland and Ray says, 'Its great to see a great guy make the grade, not only is Josh one hell of a goalkeeper, he is one of the nicest youngmen I have had the pleasure to know and teach!'

Josh at full stretch in action against West Brom! Good to see a young goalkeeper come for a cross!

What is the best starting position technique?

Over the past three decades as a goalie coach , I have seen so many different variations of the goalkeeping starting position, some good, so very bad!

If yu have ten different keeper coaches this year, I will GUARANTEE you that each one of your coaches will show you a different starting position technique.

So what’s right goalkeeper starting position technique and what do I teach?

I have been taught by five ex international goalkeepers, and because of my proven results of the past 30 years for my students, my techniques are better than 99.9% of other goalkeeper coaches.

But I would not state my starting position technique is the right!

I think one of the BIGGEST errors coaches make is to think their technique is the best, and then make their students clones of themselves.

What a lot of in experienced keeper coaches do not understand is their students are all different and are individuals, so what is correct for one student, will not be right for another student. So a Gk coach should adapt is coaching to each students individuals needs.

Any goalkeeper trainer that states to his students, ‘You HAVE to stand like this, or you HAVE to put your hands in this position etc” in my opinion is either very in experienced or does not know what he is talking about.

As you grow and get older you will develop your own goalkeeping style, and it is up to your GK coach to murge his goalkeeping knowledge and experience with your personal style... this will then make you the complete goalkeeper that is suitable to you and your body.

Goalkeeper Coaching for Children

If you are a parent or grandparent looking for goalkeeper training for children there are a few very important pointers to look out for.

1: Make sure the keeper coach is who he states he is because some goalkeeping coaches exaggerate their claims regarding their goalkeeping career.

These GK coaches say they played for a professional soccer club but reading between the lines, they only had a  trial with a particular pro club, so they have NOT been a former professional keeper like they state..
  
So as a parent looking for goalkeeper training for children, IS DO YOUR RESEARCH ON YOUR GOALKEEPER COACH!

The only problem is when a soccer club employs a goalkeeper coach all the goalkeepers HAVE TO attend his sessions. I have seen many of these goalkeeper coaches in action and its very worrying as these coaches are un intentionally doing more harm than good.

Most parents ask me what I would do in that situation, and I say I would not allow my child to attend the coaches sessions! However, some parents sadly are frightened by the club and let their child attend these classes, then wonder why their child does not develop as a keeper.

I understand why soccer clubs hire a keeper coach as they want to do the right thing for their keepers. But if the club do not get the correct goalkeeper coach, in my opion it is a waste of time, especially for the goalkeeper.

2: Make sure he is qualified.
I have seen a few times over the year’s GK coaches who actually  lie about their qualifications. So make sure they have the qualifications they state! 

3: The next thing to do, is check out the GK coaches classes BEFORE you hand over your cash. What you want to see, is the coach training his students in a relaxed and friendly environment. If the gk coach is screaming and shouting at his students, stay away!

You also want to see all the keepers doing something. If you see keepers standing about doing nothing or waiting for the next directions from the gk coach, the chances are the coach does not know what he is doing, and or is very inexperienced.

4: Check your coach out online If this coach is making claims about his experiences etc, google him. If you cannot find anything about this coach online, I would be asking him some very serious questions!

5: What has he done for his current students? 
If he has helped his students succeed, the chances are he can do this with your child. You want to see  some decent success stories though, like his students getting a career opportunites because most gk coaches cannot do this for their students.

6: How much does he charge: I have seen some goalkeeper coaches and they charge a small fortune. Some of these coaches, I would not have them working for me for free because they are not very good, yet they are asking for ALOT of money for medicore coaching.


A good soccer keeper coach, coaches chidren to give something back to the next generation of goalkeepers so his coaching fees will always be fair

So if you are looking for Goalkeeper coaching for children I hope this article helps you pick the correct goalie coach because even though there are a lot of poor goalkeeper coaches coaching, there is thankfully a lot of very good keeper coaches out there… so it is up to you as a parent or grandparent to make sure you find the correct one for your child or grandchild.

Best of goalkeeping

Ray Newland

How to cummunicate with your defence

Communication with your Defence – by Jay Gibbs


Goalkeepers who communicate with their defenders are much valued. Clear, early calls can alert team mates to unseen dangers as well as averting any confusion arising between players. Furthermore constant communication with your defenders will aid your concentration, especially during those periods in the game where you are largely inactive.

It is important that you know what, how and when to communicate as a goalkeeper. As you are in the privileged position of seeing the whole pitch, you can alert defenders to blind-side runs from opponents, As play develops down one flank a quick glance across the pitch might reveal unmarked players. An early call to a team mate can ensure that the unmarked player is picked up. You must be specific in the information you direct at the team-mate who is dealing with the situation. In this case it may be:

‘Jay, Pick up the spare man at the back post!’

If the ball is played over the defence, you must make your intentions clear in order to avoid any confusion. Any hesitation on your part or the defenders could have disastrous consequences. If you intend to claim the ball, you must call:

‘Keeper’s ball, let it run!’

On no account should the defender play the ball if you are coming to collect it. When you want the defender to make a back pass, you should shout:

‘Keeper’s on. Push it back!

Merely to call ‘Keeper’s!’ does not clarify the situation sufficiently. The call should leave defenders in no doubt as to what the keeper intends to do. Typical instructions for back passes are:

‘Keeper’s on. Push it back! ‘Keepers on. Early!’ ‘Keeper’s on. Head it on!

‘Keeper’s on. Time!’

The call for a back pass must be combined with support at the correct angle and distance so that the defender has little trouble.

Whenever defenders are in possession and are facing their own goal you should always help them make the right decision. On the one hand they maybe under severe pressure, necessitating an early back pass, and on the other they may have time to turn with the ball. The calls in these situations would vary from:

‘Keeper’s on. Man on!’ to ‘Time. Turn!’

You should feel happy about maneuvering your own defenders in order to protect your goal. If you feel that attackers are being allowed too much space you must tell your team mates to mark more closely. For example you might call:

‘Get tighter! Or ‘Close him down!’

One of the aims of defending is to force play in one direction so that it becomes predictable and easily dealt with. Information such as:

‘Tight!’ Do not let him turn!’ and ‘Force him down the line!’ will help to achieve that end.

Futhermore, reminders to team mates of basic defending principles, such as:

‘Close him down quickly! Or ‘Stay on your feet!, will also assist the defensive unit in its job.

When the ball has been cleared you should encourage your defence to push out to leave those forwards remaining in advanced positions offside. A loud cry of

‘Push out!’ or ‘Squeeze up! Will suffice.

You must always encourage the nearest player to pressurise the ball carrier when the defensive unit is pushing up.As soon as the ball crosses the half way line you should be giving information and encouragement to other defenders. You should be mindful of the defence’s objective to make play predictable by forcing the ball in one direction.

When coming for a high cross you must not allow defenders to drop too deep and thus deny you space in which to attack the ball. The timing and manner of your communication is almost as important as the information you impart. Early calls are absolutely essential because defenders already committed to a plan of action will not react well to late instructions, The information must be concise and easily understood. Precious seconds could be wasted by instructions that are long winded. All information must be given in a loud, clear voice that instills confidence. An indecisive and nervous call can panic defenders and drain confidence. Even if you feel nervous inside try and be calm. You will achieve this if you provide early and relevant information in a confident and controlled manner.

Key Points

A) Adopt a good starting position relative to the proximity of the ball

B) Keep in line with the ball

C) Be ready to deal with through balls

D) Support team-mates when in possession

E) Give clear information to team-mates when and where necessary.

And finally……..BE LARGE AND IN CHARGE!!!!!!

J4k Pennsylvania

Here is a picture of our goalkeeper students enjoying their time at a course ran by J4K coaches Joe Weirs and Simon Robinson.

Just4keepers is one of the fastest growing goalkeeperschools in Pennsylvania with it becoming the ‘place to be’ for budding young goalkeepers to improve their goalkeeping skills.

At J4K Pennsylvania, goalkeepers are taught all the goalkeeping aspect needed to make those important saves and under the watchful eye of coach Joe and Coach Simon there is some fantastic success stories coming for 2012!

Whats the best height for a goalkeeper

What’s the best height for a goalkeeper?

I get asked this ALL THE TIME and over my 30 years as a goalkeeper coach, coaching all over the world the most common asked question I get asked is ‘ Am I too small to be a goalkeeper’.

However rightly or wrongly the fact of the matter is that most pro soccer clubs only want goalkeepers who will grow to be 6ft plus!

This is very hard for me because as a goalkeeping coach I have seen sooooo many great young goalkeepers who I believed had the ability to become a professional goalkeeper and I had been left just as frustrated as my goalkeeper student when they have been rejected by a pro club because of height, or lack of it to chose a better word.

I am a firm believer if you are good enough you are big enough!

The problem a lot of young goalkeepers have is when they try to get to a professional clubs academy at aged 6 – 15 years, alot of the coaches at these pro clubs are frightened to speak out. Each pro club has a template of what the ideal goalkeeper should look like in terms of stature and height and if they do not fit into this mould, again rightly or wrongly, they will not give this keeper a chance.

I am not saying all clubs do this but most do.

As I said above, the problem with young keepers who are small but HAVE the talent, they need their coach at this pro club to stand up for them. But as most coaches do not want to rock the boat and risk losing their coaching role, they play it easy and go with the template their club set out.

One part of me believes these coaches have no backbone but having being around professional clubs for many MANY years now, I do understand why they do this because for the most part, they would get ignored anyway.

The older you get, the stronger the chances are you have of making the grade if your are small.

If you can keep the faith and play the highest levels you can locally, if you can find a good independent goalkeeper schools or something like goalkeeper agent this can help you. I am also a firm believer if you are good enough and you keep playing, you will eventually  get noticed.

The key to this story is... NEVER GIVE UP!

even if you have been to an professional academy and have been rejected, this is NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. Please believe when I say this, as I am probably more epxerienced than any other goalkeeper coach to understand this as I have seen it all!

I believe the window to make it as a goalkeeper is between the age of 15 and 23... 

So never give up on your goalkeeper dream!