I have been asked in recent weeks how I have developed my specific pre-season programme for the goalkeepers in my care.
For me personally is there is no standard programme that can be ‘pulled off the shelf’ for each pre-season and certainly the last five pre-seasons, while working in the professional environment have differed.
Generally i feel you first have to understand the main outline of the programme working back from the number of weeks/days from the first game of the season to the start day of a clubs return (could be a 4-6 week period). Within this i would then identify and note aspects to include the numbers of training sessions whether they be single or double training days, proposed preseason fixtures, potential travelling issues (possible tours) and proposed days off.
Other specific requirements to factor into any programme are the identified needs from other departmental personnel which will include Technical Management, Sports Science and Strength & Conditioning areas which will all link in to the individual requirements of goalkeepers.
Specific details to a session will general fall within the needs of the ‘goalkeeper union’ with the exercises, practices, number of sets & number of repetitions based on physical capabilities of the goalkeepers and the perceved physical outcomes of the session. These sets & repetitions are generally made a little higher than that within the season to push the physical limited of individuals with a focus still remaining to the quality of the technical elements. I don’t believe the technical elements should be compromised during excessive fatigue.
