Introduction

Goalkeeping is such a specialised position, and the goalkeeper has such a distinct outcome on any game, so why is it then so often the most neglected area of training.

The modern Keeper’s role in a game has changed dramatically since the introduction of the back pass rule was implemented into the game. Gone are the days of the shot stoppers, we now require football players who can use their hands as well as both their feet.

The introduction of foreign keepers and their coaches into British football leagues regardless of your personal opinion has evolved the way the majority of professional British Keepers are now training on a daily basis.

Uhlsport Goalkeeping Academy aim to constantly revise their training programme to cater for the ever evolving roles and demands of the modern keeper. It is this attention to detail that will gain Uhlsport Goalkeeping Academy the respect from keepers and fellow coaches alike.

Andy Fairman Director of coaching at Uhlsport Goalkeeping Academy has built his excellent reputation developing and producing the very best grass roots keepers. With so many keepers he has worked with being selected to represent Academies and Centre of Excellences across the North West.

Andy’s coaching talent was soon snapped up by Blackburn Rovers. He has also worked at Preston North End, Chester City and Accrington Stanley 1^st team and is currently coaching at Blackpool Centre of Excellence and Youth. Andy Has also worked with the 1^st team keepers at Blackpool.

For Andy to achieve this accomplishment of working with professional and elite keepers without actually playing first team professional football is an outstanding achievement and to achieve all this before he reached 30 is nothing more than astonishing and that is why Andy is regarded as one of the best up and coming professional goalkeeper coaches in the country.

Training Programme

Due to the nature of the specialist training required for goalkeepers, clubs are often unable to provide assistance in their development and are forced to concentrate on the outfielders. There has always been a lack of quality goalkeeper training at clubs disposal.

It was for this reason UHLSPORT GOALKEEPING ACADEMY created its own unique training programme to develop the specialised position of the goalkeeper.

There are many techniques that you will need to learn as an aspiring goalkeeper to equip yourself for the modern game, which are all covered in the UGA programme including:

• Ball Familiarity                      
• Handling Techniques
• Distribution & Back Passes
• Shot Stopping
• Angles & Distance
• Dealing with Crosses
• Positional Play
• One on One
• Diving, including deflections and recovery saves
• Plus countless other techniques that will not only benefit the keeper but also their team as well.

Uhlsport Goalkeeping Academy run specialised weekly keeper training sessions in Lancashire for boys and girls from the age of six and above. The weekly training is designed to develop goalkeepers and help them achieve their individual goals and to fulfil their full potential. Training is based around a FUN and SAFE environment with NO PRESSURE on the goalkeepers.

Whether goalkeepers attend Uhlsport Goalkeeping Academy for fun and to learn the basics, or they are more serious about their goalkeeping there are development stages for every level of ability.

Aim of Uhlsport Goalkeeping Academy ::

To provide the very best specialist professional goalkeeper coaching for all abilities from grass roots to youth international for both boys and girls from the ages of 6 and above, with the emphasis of a fun but safe environment.