Soccer, Guarding the Goal

John Walker is a professor of Spanish studies at Queen’s University.

Shel Brшdsgaard is the coach for the Canadian national women’s soccer
program and a former Canadian Olympic keeper, with soccer experience in
the United States, Canada, and Denmark. Soccer: Guarding the Goal is a
teaching manual written specifically for younger goalkeepers and their
coaches.

Divided into five chapters, this extensively illustrated volume (with
100 photographs and 40 illustrations) covers every aspect of the
goalkeeping game. Chapter 1 describes equipment, stretching, strength
training, ball handling, warming up, and other preparations. Chapter 2
deals with footwork and balance, collapsing and diving techniques, and
reaction drills. Chapter 3 discusses breakaways, distribution,
collecting the crossed balls, and counterattacks. Chapter 4 gives useful
advice on positioning, communication, set plays, and mental training.
Chapter 5 provides some training games for goalkeepers, and like all the
previous chapters, devotes guest spots to experts like Even Pellerud and
Ian Bridge, women’s national team coaches, and other specialists.

The book contains a wealth of material for goalkeepers and coaches.
Players of all ages will enjoy the drills, tips, techniques, interviews
with players and coaches, game- and practice-situation photographs,
practice planning pages, the goalkeeper’s journal, and sundry other
bits and pieces. With the growing popularity of soccer in Canada, this
volume is as timely as it is useful and entertaining.