Elite Goalkeeping

In the game of soccer no position has as great an impact on the success or failure of a team as the goalkeeper. Too often, coaches are not equipped to provide this critical member of the team with the training he or she needs to excel. Hope College has developed a reputation for developing some of the top goalkeepers in the nation, including five All-America selections during Coach Smith's tenure.

Goalkeepers attending the Elite Camp receive specialized training from some of the top goalkeepers and goalkeeping coaches in the Midwest. Using the same methodologies that have resulted in All-American honors for Hope's varsity goalkeepers, each camper is challenged to refine his or her technique, develop a better sense for the goalkeeper's role in the game, and to learn how to push him or herself to reach higher levels of performance each time they step on the field.

Goalkeepers in the Elite Camp train separately from field players throughout the week but take part in daily match play, applying what they've learned to live game situations.

The Goalkeeper Curriculum

The Hope Soccer Camp has developed one of the most effective and renowned goalkeeper camps in the country. During this intense week, campers will work on developing the following:

1. Posture & body positioning
2. Goalkeeper footwork
3. Basic catching & handling
4. Boxing & deflecting saves
5. Breakaway and smother saves
6. Collapse diving & Extension diving
7. High balls & crosses
8. Distribution (foot & hand)
9. Training ethic & goalkeeper fitness
10. Golden rules of goalkeeping