GAME ASSESSMENTS

Tactical Game Assessments

This includes a staff member at your game to warm you up (if the coach allows for it), Coach you during the match, at half-time and after the game. During this process, the staff coach will evaluate the GK’s Technical, Tactical, Physical, and mental aspects of their game by grading the GK on an evaluation form.  The staff will write a review and the director will type a full assessment about the GK’s game and performance and implement an objective for the Keeper to work on for future games and practices.

EXAMPLE BELOW

Southern California School of Goalkeeping

Tactical Assessment

Evaluation

Date of Report:                         Age group: Boys under 15

Director:   Jeff Tackett                  Keeper  :   Joe

1.0    General Information:  This is an evaluation on Joe based on his November 2, 2008 Coast Soccer League Cup match.  The game was played at Eagle Glen in Corona @ 8:00 against SB Gunners. The weather was breezy and cloudy with decent field conditions. The ground was bumpy but mostly grass coved the playing field.  Joe played the entire game with 35-minute halves.  He made two saves: (1) 22 minute—2^nd half/ Ball played across the box, in the air/ keeper came out 7 yards and made the save. (2) 24 minute –2^nd half / through ball played on the ground/ Fwd received it 15 yards out/saved the shot…Shot went right at him however, due to his timing and angle play he made the save look easy.  Goals:  (1) 18 minute—2^nd half: Penalty kick, 12 yards out/ ball went low to his right, far post/ Scored.  Guessed the correct way, needed to ‘cheat’ a bit more once the clue was read.     The final score was United 1 -   Gunners- 1

2.0    Game aspects: 

Technical:   Joe received a 5 (excellent) on his ability to catch low and medium balls clean with no or little trouble. He received a 4 (good) for his ability to catch high balls with pressure.   His hand positioning was good, he went up to save a few high balls but not much pressure on him.  His FOOTWORK from post to post was a 4 (good), on crosses a 4(good). Breakaways he received a 4 (good). Back to the post was not attempted.  Joe had two Low dive opportunities that were a 4 (good). A shot was from the near post side and he took steps to dive to his far post.  His technique, stepping and hand/ body positioning were a 5 (excellent).  He did well to take steps into the dive, extended, and exploded beyond the post. The ball went wide, no need for a save.  He had one opportunity to box away a cross with a 2-fisted technique, which was rated a 3 (average).  His Timing and positioning was good however, he jumped straight up against an opposing player and he did not get much on the ball.  If he would have jumped through the player with the intent to punch the ball, the situation would have been solved and the play would of continued towards the other goal. He had two breakaways during the game.  He received a 4 (good) for his overall technical ability.  He performed the run on save 4 (good) twice during the game, once in the 24 minute of first half and the other time was during the 18 minute of the second half.  No long barrier saves.  His positioning was a 5 (excellent), he has done much better in staying higher during the game.  It is important to keep the space between him and the last defender as small as possible without giving up a possible chipping option from the attacking team.  His Timing was a 5 (Excellent).  This is the difference from having to make a “hands to” or “long barrier” save in the attempts he had during the game.  Since his positioning and timing were so good, he once again made the save look easy.  Well Done!!

Southern California School of Goalkeeping

        Tactical Assessment Evaluation

Tactical:   Joe did well with easy tactical situations during the game.  There are several things that he needs to improve, which are very minuet but will mean the world to improving his play.  He needs to become a “student of the game” and learn how other teams attack (i.e., crossing, direct/target player, or fast, combination play). 

He attempted to organize his defense and took up a good position in the goal during set plays 4 (good).  He had one set play.  The yards of the set play were from 35 yards from the right side.  He asked for a wall and pushed the defense up to the 18 yard line, appropriately.   During crossing situations, his organization and communication skills are getting better.  He needs to understanding the difference between a crossing angle and a shooting angle which will give him a better position and time to react to the ball.  He needs to be aware of the weak side of the field.  He failed to look to his weak side 4 times during the game. This is a big part of the game and is an example of what is meant by being a student of the game.  He needs to understand the roles of his defenders so he can effectively coach them during the run of play and not rely on the coach.

 He did well in his footwork off the cross. I would like to see it become faster and smoother so that he is ready to dive at all times.  He received an overall rating of 4 (good) for tactical crosses.  Joe overall communication was a 3 (Avg.).  He needs to give direct commands (keeper & away) at the appropriate times.  I did not hear him say either of the direct commands during the game.  However, he did communicate his attacking commands (“turn” “man on”, “switch”, etc.) and defensive commands ( “push up”, “no-turn”, “step up”, “mark left/right” “clear it”, “find your marks”).  He received a 4 (good) for that task.  The only thing he needs to work on for the defensive commands to become more specific and directional. (ex- “mark left”.  “step up”, “watch your weak side”) He communicated well during his coroners; he has his posts covered and was telling people who to mark, however he did not put any one on the near post around the six-yard area.  Overall he received a 4 (good) on organizing a corner.

Distribution Joe did perform throwing tasks; he used the javelin-style throw to get it to his attacking players.  However, the decision to throw needs to be quicker.  He needs to remember that right as he receives the ball he must look to switch the point of attack with a throw. (Javelin, baseball, or bowling throws). It seems this is not worked on during practice or the team is always under the impression he will just kick it.  When you save a ball you must communicate with your backs to show squared, right away and look to keep possession, or a quick counter attack (punt or drop kick) his punts went to half field and beyond.  His technique was good.  He received a 4 (good).  His goal kicks were decent.  I felt it was more important that he was actually taking them.  In time his goal kicks will become very good he needs to continue to work on them. His field skills received a 4 (average).

He communicate the pass back two times however, there were 3 other opportunities to get the ball passed back to him and instead the defender tried to turn or just kicked it out of bounce.  This is a very important task for a GK to become superior; they must be confident with the ball at their feet so the team can regain possession and try to attack.  He received a 3 (average) because of the importance.

One time he asked for the ball and received it, he did well to touch it first time to his outlet player.  He seemed comfortable with the ball at his feet so, I cannot understand why he does not get the ball more often. 

Southern California School of Goalkeeping

Tactical Assessment

Evaluation

3.0    Progress Towards Current Milestones/Objectives:  There is no data at this time for his objective. Staff recommended that he starts an objective:  Objective # 1 Joe will communicate to his defense by using Direct Commands, 2/5 times per game by 12/06.  When met, increase to 4/5 times per game by 2/07.  It is also recommended that Joe keep a “goals against” Journal to explain how he was scored on and what technical or tactical aspect was deficient during the situation.  I would like to see this Journal (I.E., Blog, notes, emails) at the end of each month.

4.0    Summary/Conclusion:  Joe does very well with his technical ability, he needs to become more dominate during each task he performs.  His breakaway ability continues to be his strong point.  His diving ability is powerful except when he is falling backwards.  Tactically, he is doing well.  He is starting to stay higher for longer periods of time which is a big plus and something that hindered him previously.  With more games played and the knowledge of the game, I think he will do better at organizing his defense He needs to become more of a vocal leader on the field. 

5.0    Recommendations for Game Aspects/Milestones/Objective:  Joe should continue to play with his current team as long as the team continues to develop at the rate he is developing.  He is a Gold-level player and should be pushed to play in that direction if it permits to do so.  He needs to continue with regular training with the emphasis on consistency and constant communication.  He needs to organize the weak side of the field.  Objective #1 should be continued until met.  He will start writing a Journal of some sort to keep track of goals scored.