#CSRARush

Goalkeeping Training

CSRA Rush Goalkeeping

CSRA Rush Soccer club offers a specialized Goalkeeper program which focuses on the skills necessary for young goalkeepers to excel within the sport of soccer. Each session will focus on the technical, tactical, physical, and mental skills required to play the position. Sessions will also be tailored to meet the different needs of specific age groups.

CSRA Rush provides our goalkeepers the best training environment possible and the following guidelines have been established:

The goalkeeper program is a year round program. Sessions are held every week regardless of your team schedule. There may be some movement dependent on ability. Movement will be decided by the Goalkeeper trainer and communicated with the Parent/Player. 

At CSRA Rush we strive to create an environment that is safe for the GK to work and make mistakes. The reality is all GKs will let in goals... especially during training when they see shot after shot. We challenge goalkeepers to grow in these moments by focusing on learning from the goal, and then moving on. The group of Goalkeepers must be supportive of each other. All goalkeepers need to celebrate saves, congratulate each other, and work toward everyone getting better within the session. Goalkeeping needs to be fun and enjoyable!

The Technical and Tactical aspects of the Goalkeeper position are very important and stressed within each training session. In order to be successful at the highest level the goalkeeper must also focus on the mental side of the position. Key Psychological Issues that must be addressed for each GK include:

-They are special to coach
-They define the game - Win or Lose
-They are always under pressure
-They emotionally crave success
-Their mistakes are easily observed
-They are an easy target for criticism
-Their life is Highs and Lows
-They suffer constantly Change Self-Esteem”

Goalkeepers as part of the team
The modern Goalkeeper must be effective with both their hands and their feet. As a club we stress the role of the GK in the build out phase as well as supporting the teams attack. At Rush we expect the Goalkeeper to be technically proficient and able to support the team as they build from the defensive third and progress down the field.

CSRA Rush Goalkeeping

Rush Goalkeepers are United. Together all things are possible. With your fellow goalkeepers we will bear each other's burdens and mistakes. We train each other to overcome them. Conversely, celebrate your fellow goalkeepers’ successes. We lift ourselves and each other up when we feel as if we have failed to get right back at it. Even when we have blood and mud on our faces. When one of us comes up and makes a big save we celebrate loudly and proudly. The Rush Goalkeeper represents passion and purpose.

The CSRA Rush Goalkeeper Mission and Vision:

The CSRA Rush goalkeeper trains with such intensity and focus that they will constantly improve and learn. Confidently and constantly climbing and is the most feared and respected player on the field on any given day.

CSRA Rush Goalkeepers Core Values

The Rush Goalkeeper is Accountable holding themselves accountable for their actions and their decisions. Additionally, as a leader on the field holding their teammates accountable for their actions with their communication in chaotic game moments especially in the defensive third of the field. 

The Rush Goalkeeper seeks out Advice and aspires to learn and be the best. The psychological space of a goalkeeper is precious. It is fierce and benefits from great care and consideration. When a Rush Goalkeeper struggles, they seek advice on how to get into the ideal psychological and physical space to perform at their best. 

The Rush Goalkeeper has Empathy. When they make a mistake, they are not harsh towards themselves, they seek to learn from the mistake and have a “Next Save Mentality.” They have empathy for their teammates when they make a mistake. A perfect example is ‘own goals’ situations, they happen. Or when players mistakenly leave their marks leaving the goalkeeper completely vulnerable. They understand this is all a part of the job and position. They show empathy for their teammates in those moments. They can show focus, encouragement, and demand the necessary action for the next time in a positive and passionate manner. 

The Rush Goalkeeper embodies Enjoyment. They love their craft. The demands of the position. The uniqueness that is required to be a goalkeeper is a strength and a fire that can never be put out. They love the game and will play anywhere but there is a special satisfaction a goalkeeper gets when we are all that stands between the other team and a goal against. 

The Rush Goalkeeper practices Humility Understands what happened but does not dwell on a mistake. We admit our mistakes and mean it wholeheartedly however we must move on and focus on what we need to do next. Additionally, we forgive others and do not look back. Rush Goalkeepers have a NEXT SAVE mentality. 

“Goalkeepers ply their trade in a harsh environment, and there’s no time to sulk. Instead, learn, get on with it and look forward (to the next shot).”

The Rush Goalkeeper is a Leader on the field. They are always leading the team from the front with humble confidence. They are constructive, hardworking, and welcome advice. Rush goalkeepers are coaches themselves and they are coachable. They show gratitude, they are decisive, and they take calculated risks. The Rush Goalkeeper is a Leader on the field not only making saves but by communicating, directing, and guiding their teams through chaotic moments. 

The Rush Goalkeeper is Passionate. Always trusts their teammates, always hopes, and always perseveres. Passion is feeling that determination burning like fire inside, it never fails, it will never be put out. 

The Rush Goalkeeper is Respectful. They never argue over a call or a past action. They simply focus on what needs to get done. The Rush Goalkeeper respects everyone. Respect the opponent. Respect the rules. Respect your colleagues, your superiors, your subordinates. 

The Rush Goalkeeper practices Safety. They train hard to ensure they are performing the skills technically correct and as trained. Understanding that by doing so it protects themselves, their teammates, and their opponents in those moments where they must be brave and aggressive. Their box is their pride and joy, and it is the goalkeepers’ duty to take control of their box when necessary. Through quality training they promise to work hard and do what they can to ensure safety to the best of their ability.

The Rush Goalkeeper is Tenacious. They persevere, are not anxious. They fear NO ONE. They are STRONG and COURAGEOUS. They WORK when no one is looking and even when the circumstances are not right and everyone else quits the Rush Goalkeeper NEVER QUITS. The Rush goalkeeper NEVER LOSES because they NEVER QUIT. We do NOT wait for external inspiration. We motivate ourselves and give life our best regardless of how we feel.

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It is not enough to simply get the “reps.” In every opportunity Rush goalkeeper coach will require the Goalkeeper to “Read - Plan - Do.”

Working to ensure we understand the entire scope of what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how we can be successful physically and psychologically. 

The Rush Goalkeeper demands to know/understand the 5 w’s in everything they do: What - Where - Who - When - Why. 

READ: Reading the situation in soccer means players taking into account multiple variables. Rush Goalkeepers are trained to analyze situations then decisively, confidently, and effectively execute what needs to happen. 

PLAN: Take what you learned from reading the situation, and PLAN what you want to do!

DO it! Execute your plan as best as you can.

This is not to say Rush goalkeepers don’t make mistakes, of course they do. The reality is that every goalkeeper will make a mistake. Every goalkeeper will dig the ball out of the back of the net. What makes Rush Goalkeepers different is how they handle those setbacks; with understanding, empathy and confidence. They do so knowing that their team and their club supports them wholeheartedly with understanding of the pressures of the position and with complete confidence in them. 

Rush goalkeepers play with freedom and without fear, yet understanding that with freedom comes responsibility.

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The Rush Goalkeeper is prepared physically and mentally through quality training for all moments of the game, with their equipment and training gear, their training and game preparation. 

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Psychologically the Rush Goalkeeper is supported by these four overarching pillars:

         The Rush Goalkeeper is Adaptable

         In every situation they demonstrate incredible focus in every situation no matter the conditions, the weather, against any opponent, on any field, on any given day. They read the game and adapt to the changing circumstances with decisive intentional actions.

         The Rush Goalkeeper is Brave

         Psychologically a Rush goalkeeper plays with freedom and responsibility: Goalkeepers must autonomously read the game, decide the best action in a split second, and execute. Rush Goalkeepers are encouraged to play with freedom and without fear, yet understanding the importance of responsibility and the balance between the two.

         The Rush Goalkeeper is Intense with 110% heart, hustle, effort, and focus during every moment of training and games. It is never a question in anyone’s mind if the Rush goalkeeper gave it all they had. Rush Goalkeepers have a strong presence on the field, through loud and clear communication, and an explosive, high intensity physical display. No matter how well or bad a team or player might be playing on a certain day, top effort is demanded and expected from one another.

         The Rush Goalkeeper is Offensive

         They are attack oriented. Rush Goalkeepers value possession with a purpose, the purpose of scoring. The objective is not to merely have the ball and get it up the field, but to attack the goal. We want to be dangerous. Whether in possession or defense, we are attacking. 

         The Rush Goalkeeper is technically proficient. They are effective with both their hands and their feet and as a result they are a valuable asset to the team as they are critical in maintaining possession and a part of the attack in the build out phase from the defensive third.