Goalkeeper coaching is a fundamental element of the game, ensuring this specialised position is well catered for with dedicated sessions and practices designed to enhance the quality of the individual.

The UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma is designed for advanced Goalkeeper Coaches working with elite youth and adult Goalkeepers, preparing the coach to work as an integrated member of a high-performance team.

Four pillars of the UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma

The specialised goalkeeper coach

- Working with and understanding goalkeepers of different cultural backgrounds, levels of maturity and ability

- Creating a high-performance culture and environment

- Working as an integrated member of the coaching/management team

- Working closely with other support staff to enhance the team’s performance strategy

- Understanding and supporting technical and tactical planning and how it affects the actions and role of the goalkeeper in game situations

- Guiding the club’s goalkeeper development and performance strategy

- Working closely with support staff to create an effective recruitment plan

The goalkeeper

- Providing an annual periodisation plan to ensure the correct development and maintenance of goalkeepers in short, medium and long-term schedules

- Providing an effective training environment to build or maintain the performance level of the goalkeeper as part of a successful team

- Establishing an appropriate environment to help individual goalkeepers develop strategies to achieve their own personal performance objectives

- Providing effective opportunities for the goalkeeper to gain sufficient playing opportunities during matches

- Dealing with each goalkeeper’s support networks

The training environment

- Turning plans into a positive practical training environment based on the needs of the team (reality-based learning)

- Conducting training sessions suitable for achieving high levels of performance

- Helping goalkeepers to build and maintain their own individual physical and psychological performance levels

- Analysing the goalkeeper’s actions during the game, to understand and measure performance levels

- Conducting post-evaluation of technical and tactical training sessions to make positive adaptations to future plans

The match

- Preparing the goalkeepers to perform effectively during competition schedules

- Supporting the management team as and when requested

- Using the match as an evaluation and learning tool