"OK, over the hurdles and as soon as you land, I'll strike the ball to your left" states the coach, the goalkeeper nods in understanding and prepares himself mentally for the exercise by running through the drill in his head. The goalkeeper is now prepared and has pre-trained his body to react in a certain manner, no though or input is required by the goalie in order to make the save; instead he just has to make the correct movement time and time again....thought provoking?

"Start on that post, run and touch that cone and then I'll strike this ball on target" is the new instruction from the goalkeeper coach. Again, the goalkeeper has visualised exactly what is expected from him and even though he now has a reaction to make at the end what other match related aspects are being trained? - thought provoking?

These two examples are considered to be the BEST way to coach your goalkeepers by the vast majority of national FA's when they run their coach education courses, and more alarmingly they are also considered to be professional practice by the majority of goalkeeper coaches who are employed full time within professional football circles. Whilst we can widely acknowledge that evolution throws up perhaps one outstanding goalkeeper per decade, it is the player development channels that could maybe evaluate the way that they do things in order to challenge the current system.

I personally wish that coaches were braver, and had the pride to develop their own way of working rather than being tied up by the Coach Education courses. Whilst mandatory, and in theory a great idea, these courses are not flexible enough to allow personality and individualism to shine through and as a result many coaches that have gained these qualifications are expected to work one way and one way only. Whilst I can acknowledge that these coaches are successful in their own right, I also worry that the most technically minded role in football is not being evolved enough away from match days, and rather is being stifled by antiquated methods......

Let's start with the two examples: Example One was a real annoyance of mine in the fact that if the goalkeeper knows which way to dive/move then what exactly is being trained? I know from my personal experience that by already knowing where the serve is going then you begin to "cheat" and pre-empt the delivery. This cannot be overcome as it is human nature, anything that makes your life easier will be followed.

The second example was introducing the goalkeepers movement, again pre planned and easy to adjust to followed by the striking of a static ball. At what stage during open play does this happen? My issue with falsifying the goalkeepers movement is how many times have you ever seen a goalkeeper running across his goal like a headless chicken to then have to change direction and run the other way? Follow this with the inclusion of striking a dead ball as the last action has immediately turned this scenario into a farce, and an avoidable farce at that.

Let me clarify before I go on in that I am NOT saying my way is the definitive, correct way to proceed. I am simply trying to create an ideology in your head that can make you assess your sessions and hopefully plant a small seed into your session planning preparation. Kick out the ideas of watching Peter Shilton or Neville Southall training in the 80's (covered in mud, bouncing around after performing repeat saves, and absolutely blowing at the end), and also try to ignore the static training drills that you get provided with on any coach education course. This is a new way of thinking, not necessarily an approved way or an official way, but absolutely a new way.

A good goalkeeper coach will be able to input techniques in any given situation, so this will eradicate the need to structure the session to force the mistakes as instructed on the courses. This, by default, immediately eliminates the need for predictable service to the same side and instead should bring in the moving ball scenario. My drills will start with a drive AT the goalkeeper, followed by a necessary movement for the topic and ended with the striking of a moving ball (returned by the goalkeeper in the first instance). As I am a specialist in One on One sessions, I always plan around the best way to get the end product from a strong starting point - in many instances a volleyed catch and return. It is imperative in my sessions that we are able to keep the ball moving throughout as this helps to mimic a goalkeepers movement during a game also. The priority of each and every session is to improve a goalkeepers decision making: How to make that save? Whether to catch or parry? Where's the safety zone? What's the best method to use to save the ball?. The list goes on and in theory is endless as these are all the questions that flash through a goalkeepers mind the instant the ball is struck by the attacker, as stated earlier we can suggest technical improvements during a drill as opposed to forcing them and a goalkeeper will always learn quicker in his natural habitat - between the posts surrounded by his 18 yard box.

1. Have a goal for each session, and plan to deliver the end result.
2. Remember that many topics can be covered in one session, however focus on the goal (i.e In a dealing with crosses session, we can also include distribution. Coach only the topic in hand (provide simple "pointers" for any other mistakes)
3. Always aim to keep the ball moving
4. Try to start or end each drill with a strike on goal - it's what the goalkeepers really enjoy so try to include it!
5. Make any movement between points realistic. Do not over use hurdles, cones, ladders etc as they have no place on a football pitch come Saturday afternoon!
6. Concentrate on making all drills match specific. imagine a camera over the penalty area, and what can happen within....this has no limits!
7. Make each session centred on your goalkeeper and step out of your comfort zone. Just because you can't cross a ball is no reason for the goalkeeper to be weakened in this area - find someone that can or learn how to yourself!
8. Plan, plan, plan. Adapt. Plan again and then adjust during the session
9. Know WHY you are doing a drill, and not because you read it online or in a book!
10. Enjoy your work.