MSc Sports Coaching / UEFA A Goalkeeping / Author of 7 bestselling books
Twitter: @andyelleray
Instagram: andyelleray
LinkedIn: Andy Elleray
Website: www.andyelleray.com
Over the years, more specially 2009 and since meeting Lynn Kidman at University who was my lecturer (she did the forwards for my first book!), I’ve pioneered an alternative methodology in goalkeeper training. This methodology took the principles of TGfU with focus on specifically designed games, constraints, and high-level questioning in order to enhance several key attributes that are deemed vital for a goalkeeper in football.
The idea stemmed from my observations around goalkeepers who were technically and physically proficient but lacked the decision-making capabilities to transfer their ‘football’ proficiency to the game as a whole.
Through initially trialling this approach in development centres and grassroots goalkeeping groups, I began to see goalkeepers who were not only making better decisions, but were able become more technically adaptable, psychological robust and socially aware of working with others.
After researching and testing the methodology more and more, I was able to promote this approach within a few my books and use at elite/international level environments with great success and this started back in 2013. The key for me, is to dip in and out with these games scenarios and combine them with specific goalkeeping ‘drill’ based practices for a holistic development.
Fast forward to the present day, I’m now seeing not only goalkeeping centres using this approach, but also elite level coaches who see the benefit of including the methodology in parts of their training sessions to groove and enhance decision making in many different situations.
I’m in the process finishing my 8th book which is based solely around the approach with a coaching focus on how to best implement the Games-Based methodology – this should be out later this year.
For more information on practices and the methodology, please visit www.bennionkearny.com/goalkeeping
Happy Coaching!
Andy