| Soccer balls do not come in just one size. Size 5 balls | | | | A smaller ball has a very rapid flight that requires a |
| are used for players aged 13 years and up. This is | | | | goalkeeper to have to prepare his feet much faster |
| also the size that is use in all Major League Soccer | | | | if he wants to protect his goal. The goalkeeper's |
| games. Size 4 balls are for players from age 8 to 12 | | | | visual speed will be improved, too - he has to watch |
| years. Children under 8 years old use size 3 balls. | | | | the kicker kick the ball and then time when he will |
| These are the only sizes of balls that are used in | | | | have to respond (well, he really ought to respond |
| competitive play, but there are also two other sizes | | | | immediately...) |
| of balls. There are size 2 and size 1 mini balls that | | | | When training goalkeepers, you may incorporate the |
| usually have the circumferences of 20" and 18" inches | | | | mini ball into a number of shot handling and/or |
| respectively (compare this to the 27-28" | | | | deflecting exercises. A coach must be creative in her |
| circumference of a size 5 ball). | | | | exercises, constantly changing the starting position or |
| The players that usually get the most and best | | | | angle of the goalkeeper. When using the mini balls to |
| training from these "mini balls" are soccer | | | | train the goalkeeper's deflecting techniques, it forces |
| goalkeepers. It is a lot harder to block a mini ball than | | | | the goalkeeper to concentrate on striking the center |
| a regular sized one - it requires much more precision. | | | | of the mini ball, which has smaller surface area than a |
| The primary goalkeeping skill that is gained from using | | | | regulation ball. The mini ball training will expose a |
| the mini ball training is the adjustment of the catching | | | | weakness in the goalkeeper's saving technique if he |
| unit, or the contour catch. To catch a mini ball, the | | | | cannot read the flight of the ball correctly or make |
| goalkeeper must adjust his hand position to a smaller, | | | | solid contact when deflecting. |
| more precise catching position. It is not just his hands | | | | Mini balls are a great and interesting way to improve |
| that he must adjust - the goalkeeper's upper body is | | | | your goalkeeper's game (hey, and while your goalie is |
| important, too. Goalkeepers need to prepare their | | | | still learning to block the ball, your other players can |
| bodies so that their hands, head, and chest are in | | | | boosts their confidences while enjoying the fun of |
| alignment with the ball. | | | | being able to make a shot more easily). The use of |
| Goalkeepers don't just learn the contour catch while | | | | mini balls is just one of many innovative training |
| training with a mini ball. Goalkeepers also experience | | | | methods which can maximize your goalkeeper's |
| an increase in their physical and visual reaction speed. | | | | mental capacity while expanding his physical limitations. |