Vince Nicoll Goalkeeping Schools Vince 07899814181 Courses held all year round. Links to professional academy's. Pathways for every keeper

News Story - Goalkeeper cleans up In club end of season player of the year awards. Calling all Vince Nicoll Goalkeeping Schools past or present keepers, did you win an award at the end of the season proving the coaching you get is one of the best. If so leave your comments here.

So if you want to be in contention make sure you apply yourself in the right way, some of the things us coaches are looking for are; do you want to learn, are you paying attention, can you help another keeper, can you help bring balls cones etc in at the end of the sessions, a good attitude, a good work ethic and there's more, and not forgetting the most important thing! Enjoy your self! Vince, Jon, Steve, Chris, Wayne and Amish.

THE NUMBER 1 EVENT

ST. GEORGE'SPARK 2 DAY GOALKEEPING CONFERENCE.

14th + 15th April 2013.

With over 400 coaches (predominately) goalkeeping coaches in attendance which included a group of about 20 coaches from South Korea it was always going to be a special time for all, one way or another.

After a swift collection of my registration pack it was through the hallway to collect your very own FA coaches satchel, which was jam packed with various booklets and leaflets on various aspects of our beautiful game, and more importantly they were mainly focused on the goalkeeper (Hooray more recognition!).

Kick-off was an introduction by Ray Clemence explaining briefly the sequence of the forth coming events over the next 2 days.

The first workshop was conducted by Simon Smith (FA National Goalkeeping Coach Youth), who delivered a session on 'Where goals are scored', after warming up the 6 keepers which wasn't easy as we had horrendous windy conditions which even managed to send astray a few more than the usual amount of Simons usually impeccable serves, but i suppose 5 out of 500ish serves isn't too shabby. The session progressed into a phase of play to include the keepers rotating as strikers, defenders and of course turns to perform between the sticks. After a brief and windswept Q & A it was back to the Hotel for lunch.

After lunch Ray introduced us to Martin Thomas (FA National Coach Head of Goalkeeping Coaching Education) on the VERY important subject of the 'Qualities of a Goalkeeping Coach', it was delivered with professionalism, passion and in a manner to make you listen, think and digest (well that's the way it affected me).

The afternoon practical session was conducted by Simon and headed ‘Dealing with Crosses - A

Structured approach', and once again a very good informative approach building it up from working

in pairs through to unopposed high crosses, although very thorough with top class service and all the important coaching points for me i was expecting it to progress into an opposed phase of play or SSG, but sadly it didn't materialize, not sure if it was a time issue, not enough players available or some other reason. After the Q & A back to the Hotel for a short break.

While i was getting my coffee i spotted and re-introduced myself to Mart (ex Portsmouth, Derby, Watford and Arsenal Keeper) Poon; i say re-introduce as the last time we met we were in opposite goals playing in a charity match in the capital of Estonia, Tallin, back in July 2000. During the second half of the game Mart came up for a corner, which we cleared out to the right wing, but it was

played back in around the penalty spot, i knew Mart was lurking and as i rose up like a (tin of)

salmon he had just headed the ball into my net, but his head had by now taken the space where the ball was and we crashed into each other! After a couple of seconds i got to my feet feeling shakey, but when i looked over there was Mart still lying on the ground, it took a couple of minutes to get him to his feet but he was taken off. i didn't really get a chance to ask how he was and confirm to him that there was no intent on my behalf, so after some twelve and half years i had to ask him was all well as he was pretty shaken, well imagine my surprise when he told me that i had broken his cheek bone and he had to have an operation in the 'crown jewels' department! I think he forgave

me and he did tell that he has his own soccer and keeper school in Estonia.

The afternoon guest interview session was with Nigel Adkins, and that was really fascinating, hearing about his arduous journey to premiership manager, while along the way becoming a qualified Physio and a qualified Goalkeeping coach, all concluded with a Q & A.

Time now for a tour of the 330 acres of St George's Park with its numerous football pitches, most with under-soil heating, full size indoor pitch, plus gyms, futsal pitch, swimming pools, gravity training room, anti-gravity running machine, medical rooms, hotels, golf course (coming soon), goalkeeping training area, in short a magnificent facility to improve and develop everyone.

It was then back to my room to iron my shirt and face to make myself acceptable for the evenings Gala dinner, with guest speakers Shay Give, Jack Butland and Pat Jennings who were all very entertaining, especially hearing about their own journeys and exploits through the ranks which were all very different bearing in mind their time in the game. On my table i was very fortunate to be surrounded with like-minded coaches which included a few of the South Korean coaches and Vince Bartram (Southampton Goalkeeping coach). As the evening came to a close another wow moment

as Nigel Adkins came over for a chat with Vince B, I waited for the moment and I managed to ask Nigel (wearing his Physio hat) if he could give me a rehab tip or two for my sacroiliac joint injury, which he very kindly did. Midnight was fast approaching so it was off to bed after a top notch day.

Next morning off for a hearty breakfast which set me up for a brief visit to the gym for a few miles on the bike (as advised by Nigel) and a few free weights to get my breath back!

9am started with Ray introducing Tony Elliott (FA National Futsal Goalkeeping Coach) who gave us a presentation on Futsal, which was all new to me, i found it very interesting, not only the game itself but how it has affected and improved top players from Pele to the Pele of today, yes Messi, and also the history and growth of the game around the world. Then Tony put on a practical workshop,

which was very informative and enlightening, and i have already devised some new drills for my future keeper sessions (thank you Tony), including his hanging balls! Session concluded with Q & A and a short break (can i drink more coffee!). I would also like to give a ‘special’ mention to the 3

Futsal keepers for their bravery through the session, well done lads.

Simon Smith then put on a session 'Goalkeeping practices in restricted spaces' he worked with 4 youth keepers (from West Ham United) and put them through a warm-up, then various handling, footwork drills, onezones and high cross drills, which were all being conducted in an area of 10 x 10 yards and included bringing out all the relevant coaching points and also giving the lads plenty of encouragement and praise at the right times.

A well-earned lunch is served along with a chat with a couple of guys who coach in other parts of the country including the Isle of Wight.

The guest interviews for the afternoon session were Andy Woodman (Newcastle United Goalkeeping coach) and Mervyn Day (Professional Goalkeeping coach and manager) and again another riverting session with top draw stories of their journeys through to the present day, especially when Mervyn revealed how he had little or no support to help him deal with psychological issues during his career, which for me compounds my belief that goalkeepers need as much help psychologically as well as physical help if not more so!

This was followed by Martin Thomas's session on 'Dealing with the back pass' which was showcased on the full sized indoor pitch, the session was built up from a rotation of 3 keepers and 4 players to a SSG of 8 -v- 8, i enjoyed watching the progression of the session and picking up points on how far should the goalkeeper present himself so as not to encourage the opposition to shut him down, also the angle of support and even variation of controlling the back pass so as not to predict where the

ball is going which the striker could read and intercept.

Back to the Hotel for Martin Thomas to give a presentation on 'The Goalkeeping coaching pathway’, and the reasons why it is structure in its specific order. This was followed by Jamie Houchen (Head

of FA Learning) giving us a review of the conference including candid footage of the 2 days, then the closing speech was expertly delivered by Ray Clemence, which included a promise of another 2 day conference for 'The most important position on the pitch ‘next year.

This short note is just meant as a brief review, insight and only my opinion, as you all know football is about opinions and everyone has got one.

A great experience which i thoroughly enjoyed and looking forward to the next ONE. All the best, Vince - 07899814181

www.vincenicollgoalkeepingschools.com/

The chance was given to me to visit USA and coach more keepers, from 7th July - 22nd July 2012 read more.  

Arrived back from Philly today and it appears I have brought back some sunshine to you good people's!

It was a blast, the USA guys n girls are on the whole so well behaved, hardworking and honest, it was so rewarding, especially when the English coaches won 3 games, come on they were the under 6s, under 8s and under 10s, but in my book a win is a win, although I was beaten by a young lad called Keegan with a well driven shot into the corner, Come On the Union! :)))