Lately I have been thinking about why so many coaches miss out on strength training fundamentals when training soccer players. Actually, I truly believe that some coaches neglect the need for strength training all together. One of my favorite goalkeeper forums is swamped every week with talk about injuries sustained during the competitive season. Neglecting strength training can lead to injury throughout the season. I've seen many clubs here in Australia who have scrambled to search for players during the season because injury had depleted their playing roster. Strength training was never really advocated whilst growing up playing in the national league in Australia. Sure, we had access to a dank old gymnasium, but it was primarily used to increase strength after injury. Unfortunately, we fail to realise that strength training throughout the season can really make a huge difference competitively.

Following are some handy recommendations from Batson, J. et al. 2002 in regards to strength training for specific sports:

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Never underestimate the power of carbohydrates to fuel maximum performance, that's what the lab rats advocate and it should be the staple of high intensity exercise. Many years ago, carbohydrates were seen as the preferred source of fuel for the endurance athlete, though what we need to understand is that even in strength trained athletes, carbohydrates form an integral part of muscle growth and act as a fuel for maximum performance. A few studies have also pointed to the fact that soccer players should not be consuming too much creatine, as running in soccer is performed at sub maximal speeds? I believe that creatine supplementation does help the competitive athlete, especially strength trained athletes. Another fact is that good hydration is pivotal to maximum performance on the soccer field, so never underestimate the power of fluids to fuel maximum performance. An interesting study by Kirkendall, D.T. in 2004 looks at some interesting points for maximum performance as follows:

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Lately I felt like I was the only guy in the whole blogosphere who was talking about sports science and nutrition for the competitive athlete.

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You had to rough it out for 90 minutes, there were many mistakes during the game that you know feel have become a burden to your performance. Like the Fonz said "Heeeeeyyyy", relax and get into the zone! Nothing is more complicated than the competitive goalkeepers mental state. Because there are many components to the goalkeepers game such as catching, diving, commanding, sprinting etc...one small flaw can mean a mental breakdown that can spiral into many poor performances during the competitive season. But there is a way to increase your mental state so you have super performances all year round, no matter win or lose.

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Run DMC had "My Adidas", now Puma is kicking Adidas out of the top team sponsor spot for the World Cup 2006. More than 12 nations will be utilising Puma gear in a multi million dollar arm wrestle for big sponsorship deals. Following is a list of sponsors and teams for the World Cup 2006:

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Recently we placed some new additions to our left hand scroll bar, to help us get to know you a little better. You'll see the subscription to our feeds via email. Now this is cool as we have recently signed up a few of our readers who now receive Keeper Skool feeds direct to there email. But, something struck a chord with me as at any one time we have up to 80 subscribers to our fledgling little site who have not signed up to feeds via email. So I wanted to buff up our offer here to make it truly shine for our regular readers. If you subscribe to our feeds you will gain access to Keeper Skool Platinum. That's right, this is an exclusive weekly newsletter that we send out to our feed subscribers with great information about fitness and soccer related products that are provided exclusively to Keeper Skool readers from manufacturers we know and trust. So don't be hesitant to subscribe to our "feeds via email" option as you get tonnes of other benefits from Keeper Skool that you probably won't find anywhere else on the net, we do all the shopping around for you (and it takes a hell of alot of time!)

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Alberto Salazar is a running legend. His son is down under with Sydney FC trying to ply his trade as a professional footballer (last I heard anyway). Something the old man has to share is his wealth of experirence as a marathon behemoth. Winning 3 New York Marathons in the 1980's and other international events is no easy feat. Actually, the marathon is one of the most gruelling athletic events in the world. What does Marathon running have to do with competitive goalkeeping you ask? What we have to understand is that running is an important component of a soccer players training regime. For a goalkeeper long distance running forms a base for the competitive season ahead. Following are some words of wisdom from the running legend himself.

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Browsing as you do I stumbled across this crazy goal scored by a goalkeeper in a competition match in some far off league, that has possibly never been hear of. You have to check this out, it is awesome! Click the link here.

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Once upon a time, MLS goalkeepers were the shining light that dawned a new epoch on the sprouting American soccer scene. With names like Tim Howard, Casey Keller and Brad Friedel becoming dynamite property in the mighty European leagues, one reporter has recently stated that American goalkeepers are in the doldrums. With names like Joe Cannon and Zach Thornton reaching their prime, it seems that some critics are claiming that the powerhouse of American talent is slowly losing its steam?

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