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The Best Goalkeeper Equipment for Protection and Performance The Goalkeeper Show Episode 4 Goalkeeper Training is hard on the body due to the repetitive impact with the training ground.  Many of train and play on turf which has become better but is still terrible on the skin and your equipment.  Turf is riddled with bacteria from players sweating, spitting, bleeding on the surface; it is abrasive, and can be hot.  Have you ever watched a professional keeper train?  Their legs and arms are covered.   To reduce or eliminate bruising and abrasions here are our top goalkeeper gear suggestions.   The Must Have Soccer Goalie Equipment from Elite Sport USA, Joma Kits, Reusch Padded Pants, and Storelli Bodyshield. What and Why: Goalkeeper Compression Shorts: A goalkeeper’s hips take a beating during training and game play.  We all play on different surfaces that can be abrasive on the skin and rough on the muscles and bones. A padded compression short from Storelli or Elite Sport can reduce the amount of injury sustained during high impact dives or abrasive breakaway save situations. These compression shorts are designed to fit under your regular keeper shorts and will provide the keeper with more confidence and security in the goal.  Choose a flexible low profile padded goalkeeper compression short like the Storelli GK Slider or Impact Slider. Goalie protection is also available in female cuts and sizes for youth and women goalkeepers from Storelli Women. It’s easy to bruise a hipbone when diving over and over in training. Goalkeeper Leggings: Goalkeeper Leggings are necessity since they protect the full leg against abrasions and scraps such as with the Storelli Men's BodyShield  or Elite BaDS - Padded Compression Leggings. Padded goalkeeper leggings.  These will save your legs!  You may even burn a hole in them coming out low and hard on a breakaway. Better than your skin.    Goalkeeper Padded Pants or 3/4 Pants: Goalkeeper Pants or ¾ Pants are an exceptional option if goalkeeper leggings are not your thing…  Wear them indoors, on turf, during training.  Padded goalkeeper pants are typically less expensive an offer more durability against the abrasiveness of the turf or hard ground. On a training day that I know I am going to be hitting the ground a ton and the weather is warm I may just use a ¾ pant such as Reusch Alex 3/4 Breezer Goalkeeper Pant available in youth to adult sizes. Harder training days, on turf, indoors, or colder weather  I may use the Storelli BodyShield 3/4 Goalkeeper Legging with its best in class high end padded protection.   Goalkeeper Jersey: Long or Short Sleeve goalkeeper jerseys add an exctra layer of protection between you and the ground. The majority of keeper jerseys are made with moisture management polyester, which is a more durable fabric. This can hold up to the rigors of repetitive diving and high impact slides. The moisture management fabric keeps the goalkeeper more cool and dry than regular old polyester blend. Jerseys such as the Gladiator from Storelli Sports also feature impact absorbent military grade foam on the elbows and forearms to reduce the risk of injury too. The Joma Zamora Goalkeeper Kit includes a light weight matching shirt, short, and socks for games or training.  Other suggestions for more padded protection during training or to keep warm. Goalkeeper ¾ Undershirt is an exceptional piece to have in your goalkeeper wardrobe.  As a goalkeeper that personally uses the Storelli BodyShield 3/4 Goalkeeper Undershirt 95% the time I play except on exceptional hot days I love the functionality. It offers compression to keep the blood flowing properly in the body during use.  Padded protection with padding on the forearms, ribs, and chest for diving and the abrasive nature of turf when sliding out. IF you want to be number 1 you must train like it. Our suggestions are to keep you on the field, practicing your diving and breakaway techniques.  These are things that we have or do wear throughout the year to play and train.  If you have any questions on what goalkeeper equipment is right for you or your purchasing goalie gear for your developing youth goalkeeper call or email.   At Keeperstop.com we are all goalkeepers so know what you need to play your best and stay protected during training. Happy to help on sizing goalkeeper pants and shorts.  If you have any questions on goalkeeper equipment for your youth or advanced GK please contact us.   

If you’re reading this, you’re either an advanced goalkeeper or you made it through the beginner portion of this series; either way thank you for stopping by. In the beginner portion of the video, I emphasize the importance of our landing mechanics pretty frequently. That remains true in this section, however there’s just an added challenge to it. That challenge is being able to comfortably land on one foot.    Almost all of the position is played off one foot. Kicking, diving, sprinting, etc. so shouldn’t we be able to do move athletically off of one foot. The following exercises are all in here because of the single leg component it provides. These exercises are all in here to help improve our first step acceleration, explosiveness and much more. Have a look and try them out!   Exercise #1: Squat Jump with a Single Leg Landing   It is assumed at this point, we are comfortable landing with proper mechanics. The squat jump is a phenomenal exercise to help build muscle endurance in our whole lower body. Too often, we go up for a cross, get bumped and are then forced to land awkwardly on one leg, increasing our chance of injury. While this exercise doesn’t necessarily imitate us getting bumped, it preps our body to land comfortably one one foot.    Exercise #2: Skater Jump   If I had to choose a favorite plyometric exercise for goalkeepers, this would be it. Listen to the explanation in the video and that explains why I love it. The name of the exercise implies hockey, but couldn’t be better for goalkeepers..Let’s just change the name to Keeper Jumps why don’t we?   Exercise 3: Alternating Lunge Jumps   Lunge jumps will have your legs firing!! When we think the position of goalkeeper and the demands it asks of our body, a lot of emphasis can be placed on the glutes. Lunge jumps are the perfect exercise to help build that strength and endurance in our glutes.  Not to mention the added core stabilization component to these.    Exercise #4: Single Leg Broad Jump   As mentioned in the “beginner” portion of this, broad jumps are an absolute incredible measuring tool for force production. Now, adding the single leg component makes it twice as good. In the video, I explain why I value these exercises so much in through ball and 1 v 1 scenarios. A great exercise to improve acceleration, which is one of the most important physical characteristics of a goalkeeper.    Exercise #5: Single Leg Bounds    Bounds have been used in the track & field region for quite some time to improve sprint speed and acceleration. Just so happens that our position requires us to be quick off of our line to save the day. The single leg bounds allow us to continuously produce force which can increase our speed & power to help save the day.     Jesse Goleman is the owner of Goleline; a strength & conditioning company designed to cater specifically to the needs of goalkeeper. More information can be found by following Jesse on Twitter and Instagram @goleline   

What To Bring To Goalkeeper Camp! Goalkeeper camps are physically challenging and mentally exhausting. A goalkeeper must wear proper equipment to maximize performance and protection.  A breakaway or diving session could have a goalie diving 100s of times which cause bruising and abrasions if not done properly.  These injuries can keep goalkeepers on the sidelines while others train. Appropriate goalkeeper gloves can survive the rigors of training as well buidl confidence while reinforcing proper goalkeeper techniques and decisions. As a goalkeeper and director of goalkeeper camps this is my list of essential, often neglected, goalkeeper gear to protect the goalkeeper from the nagging bumps and bruises that could sideline a goalkeeper during camp week. Multiple pairs of goalkeeper glovesEvery goalkeeper needs at least two pairs of gloves.  An overnight goalkeeper camp  could be 6-8 hours of training per day or 3 sessions.  That is a lot of goalkeeping; sweat and dirty; and wear and tear.  Having two pair would give the goalkeeper a back up pair as well as the ability to rotate gloves.  The goalkeeper gloves that you bring to camp don’t have high end game quality but that is choice is yours.  Gloves are perishables and will break down with every use. Choose a glove based on your playing need such as turf or increased durability and budget. A few examples: More durable Reusch range of goalkeeper gloves:   There a FEW high quality value goalie gloves options such as Elite Sport and One Glove. These brands offer excellent value for money. The Elite Sport Supreme is one of the best all round goalkeeper gloves in terms of quality and price. There are so many choices depending the goalkeeper’s size, playing surface, and budget.  Goalkeepers and parents are encouraged to email or call keeperstop.com, paul@keeperstop.com, for suggestions. Compression and Padding:A goalkeepers body will take a beating.  It is important to wear goalkeeper protection that matches the session topic and temperature. A youth goalie during a diving session may dive 100s of times on one side.  Without proper protection the repeated impact on the hips and shoulders can cause bruising and swelling.  With bruising and inflamation a goalkeeper will do anything not to hurt the injury which can reinforce bad technique or have a keeper sit out a session which costs money. For diving sessions we recommend padded compressions shorts by Storelli. Storelli Bodyshield Slider Shorts    Some training days goalkeepers don’t need or want a thicker protective hip padding. Goalkeeper may choose a ¾ goalkeeper pant or leggings for breakaway sessions when sliding on soft grass or well-padded turf.  ¾ goalkeeper pant have a low density or thinner foam in the hips and or the knees.  A Polyester or a blend of Polyester is what protects the keeper’s knees, legs, and hips from abrasions from the harsh scratchy surface.   Depending on the session or conditions goalkeeper will definitely switch between padded compression shorts and ¾ pants.  Without proper protection and covering a goalkeeper will develop scraps, raspberries, and cuts that bleed and ooze for the remainder of the week. Protective Leggings The summer camp and training months can be hot.  Goalkeepers will try to stay as comfortable and light as possible by wearing short sleeves during training.  I wear and suggest wearing leg pads or elbow sleeves during training to prevent scraps and injury caused by repeated diving or sliding.  Drinking plenty of water before, during, and after training as well as wearing loose lighter weight material will help goalkeepers manage the heat.  Suggestions to reduce swelling or bruising during particularly tough days of camp: Storelli Bodyshield Arm Guard  Storelli Bodyshield Knee Guard   Socks, Socks, and more socks.  There is nothing more uncomfortable than putting on dirty wet socks. Drying them out on a fan between sessions may help if they are wet.  Now you are wearing crusty dirty bacteria laden. Bacteria can cause and spread foot fungi.  Professional goalkeepers often pull their socks up as high as possible and over the knees to protect the side of the lower leg and knees.  Goalkeepers attending camps should do the same to prevent scraping of the leg and outside of the knee with repeated diving.  Teach your goalkeeper to do a load of wash. Send them away with quarters and detergent.  At least one wash during the week will keep the clean goalkeeper coming and stave off mildew and the horrid smell parents experience during pick up. Suggestions: Goalkeeper Socks  The additional goalkeeper gloves, padded compression shorts, ¾ goalkeeper pants, and socks will keep your goalkeeper out of the athletic trainers tent and on the field training. If you have any specific needs or questions please contact christian@keeperstop.com. We have been campers and directors of goalkeeper camps and understand what it takes to train and play hard.