AFC / FAM / PBNP GOALKEEPER LEVEL 2

COACHING CERTIFICATE ONLINE COURSE 2021

MODULE 1
WEEK 1 DAY 1
"GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT"
 AFC / FAM / PBNP GK L2 GOALKEEPER COACHING CERTIFICATE
ONLINE COURSE
WEEK 1

Growth and Development

Unlike outfield players, goalkeepers need

to have complete physical development to do
a goalkeeper’s job. Failure to understand this
physical development process could result in
inaccurate judgment of the goalkeeper’s real
ability.
 AFC / FAM / PBNP GK L2 GOALKEEPER COACHING CERTIFICATE
ONLINE COURSE
WEEK 1

What do we need to understand?

1. Physical Growth

• All growth changes occur in the First 20 years of life.

• Timing and rate of changes vary in different children

• “Growth Spurt” - changes in children.

 Increase in height – “skeletal growth”

 Naturally occurring – depends on genetic make up of individuals.

Usually,

• Children may inherit their growth characteristics from parents and

grandparents, but not always. This factor makes growth prediction difficult
and as such finding young goalkeepers is difficult
 AFC / FAM / PBNP GK L2 GOALKEEPER COACHING CERTIFICATE
ONLINE COURSE
WEEK 1

Predicting the Height?

• Simkova et al. (1982) has devised a system, Nomograms.

• Parental influence with a predicted height for the child.

• Only approximate – includes allowance for margin of error.

• How??? Add the height of the child’s father and mother and divide this
sum by two. Height is slightly greater than final number.

Example:

11 year old boy at 150 cm. Parent’s heights added together and divided by
two ≈ 170 cm. Predicted adult stature of the boy is 180 cm.
 AFC / FAM / PBNP GK L2 GOALKEEPER COACHING CERTIFICATE
ONLINE COURSE
WEEK 1

2. When do changes occur?

There are three (3) major growth periods:

i. Birth to 3 years

ii. Possibly between 7-9 years (mid-growth spurt)

iii. Approximately 14-16 years in boys or 12-14 years in girls

These factors may be helpful in understanding the concept of skeletal growth.

 AFC / FAM / PBNP GK L2 GOALKEEPER COACHING CERTIFICATE
ONLINE COURSE
WEEK 1

3. How To Know When Physical Growth Is Complete?

Coaches are able to identify the child’s nearing completion of growth through
these features:
i. Increased muscle mass and definition
ii. Facial hair (weekly shaving)
iii. Higher performance in body weight circuits and running tests

Therefore, it is important for coaches to monitor the child’s…

i. Height and weight
ii. Performance on body weight circuits
iii. Aerobic tests and anaerobic tests
 AFC / FAM / PBNP GK L2 GOALKEEPER COACHING CERTIFICATE
ONLINE COURSE
WEEK 1

4. Effects of Physical Growth on Goalkeeper.

The effects of skeletal growth spurt on goalkeepers will vary enormously
depending on each individual. Among the more common effects are:
i. Loss of range of movements
ii. Lack of co-ordination
iii. Reduction in athletic movement
iv. Impaired playing performances
v. Physical awkwardness
Injury risks will increase during growth change, particularly as a result of lack
of co-ordination.
 AFC / FAM / PBNP GK L2 GOALKEEPER COACHING CERTIFICATE
ONLINE COURSE
WEEK 1

5. Implications for Goalkeeper Coaches.

Keeping in mind the effects of growth on young goalkeepers, especially the lack of
coordination, coaches need to…

• Have regular flexibility and mobility exercises to help recover loss of coordination
and confidence.

• Have careful design of their training activities. These young goalkeepers are at a
very tender age where they are easily embarrassed, especially when their lack of
coordination makes them unable to perform certain exercises. The coaches must
realize this is happening and adjust their training and try to keep the goalkeepers
away from these embarrassing situations.
• Explain to the young goalkeepers that the lack of co-ordination is only a
temporary situation. Don’t let them get disheartened.

• Remember these temporary physical inability when identifying, selecting or

training young goalkeepers. Look out for the technique first.
THANK YOU