Out of the blue, Greg shoots out an Ace, and I subsequently spray my tea all over my brand-spanking new ASUS laptop...poor baby.

The new Kaliaaer 3dg^TM is like looking at the sexiest of European automobiles...or women, it is just striking! With glaring highlighted colours (in this case fluro orange), the gloves bold innovations, yet smooth, sophisticated lines, make you want to buy them, put them in a bullet proof glass case and ogle at them for hours on end.

Imagine wearing them!

Let's hope the performance of the Kaliaaer 3dg^TM truly lives up to my over the top hype and anticipation. Can't wait to check out how they feel on my mits!

Following are the Kaliaaer 3dg^TM's impressive specs:

Kaliaaer's 3dg^TM glove offers outstanding adhesive qualities in all weather conditions. Using Kaliaaer's "aerContact"^TM Latex providing the keeper with unsurpassed grip when kept damp.

The ventilated mesh body regulates air flow into the glove,thus increasing all-round breathability. Kaliaaer's "Vault"^TM wrist strap provides a secure and structured fit.

The aer 3dg^TM is also suited for use in more warmer humid playing conditions and climates.

• Recommended for: Professional and Elite Keepers
• Conditions: All weather
• Palm: 4mm aerContact Latex^TM
• Cut: Flat Palm with wrapped thumb, forefinger and little finger
• Backhand: Embossed Latex with ventilated mesh
• Wrist Closure:  Wrist Bandage-Full Latex "Vault" Strap^TM. 

Be sure to check out Keeper Skool on a regular basis for pre-launch photo's and reviews of the complete Kaliaaer range (anticipated for the end of July).

Looking To Enhance Your Goalkeeper Fitness & Diet? Buy The G-Code Today, Only $19.95. Click Here.

Now let's not anyone admit of our goalkeeping perfection, because just last week I was caught pigeon from a superb shot just outside my 18 yard box...without the subsequent caning from the ball, that is. Makes Mike Tyson look timid.

Nonetheless, goalkeeper trainers always talk about being prepared (or alert, on your toes etc...), and when you may think you are defeated, sometimes you're not. This is why, watching the ball all the way throughout the motion of play is vital, even when you think the ball has got the upper hand.

Looking To Enhance Your Goalkeeper Fitness & Diet? Buy The G-Code Today, Only $19.95. Click Here.

With that said, David James also has a unique persona that shines through even in a rough situation, something that every goalkeeper should learn how to utilize. One of the key principles behind succeeding as a soccer goalkeeper is that apart from having the ability in spades, it is the way you carry yourself through a rough situation.

Yes, sometimes smiling when the chips are down, or when you find yourself in a sticky situation is a great way of staying focused on the next situation. The following video was part of a series developed by Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United. Jamo fancies himself an art critic, and Ferdinand does a great job of Punking (if you have ever watched Punk'd on MTV by American movie star Ashton Kutcher) him into submission!

By the way, Happy Mothers Day to all the Mums around the world who may frequent this site for their sons and daughters! We love you Mum!

Looking To Enhance Your Goalkeeper Fitness & Diet? Buy The G-Code Today, Only $19.95. Click Here.

One of the key points that Brad Friedel makes is that there are 300 million people in the United States, though in reality 15 or so players have moved into to the top flight of Premier League Football. 80/20 Rule?

Another vital point is the traditional view by American's around soccer, where Friedel and Keller were advised that they would amount to nothing if they continued down the route of professional football (soccer).

One of the key points made were around the unique abilities that American goalkeepers have inherent within them, because of the rich traditions of other sports such as baseball (MLB), basket ball (NBA) and American football (NFL), and the early introduction of these players to such sports.

If we look similarly toward Australian goalkeepers and the diverse range of football codes traditionally played in Australia, you can see that both the US and Australia create some fabulously diverse goalkeeping talent. It is the unique development around handling the ball, and hand-eye coordination that gives Australian goalkeepers a great advantage over goalkeepers from other countries.

I'll let Friedel and Keller tell you their story, but it is a riveting insight into what it takes to play football (especially as a goalkeeper) in the English Premier League.

Brad Friedel & Kasey Keller interview on Sky Sports. 

 Looking To Enhance Your Goalkeeper Fitness & Diet? Buy The G-Code Today, Only $19.95. Click Here.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images.

José René Higuita Zapata was born in Medellin, Colombia, in 1966. He began his long career with Millionarios at the age of 18, and is still playing today for a 2nd Division Colombian side, Deportivo Rionegro. Most of his career was spent with Atletico Nacional of Colombia. He is 5' 9" (1.75 meters) in height, and is affectionately known as "El Loco."

Although he evokes many emotions in fans, along with detractors, one word sums him up for me: Entertainer. With Higuita, as Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." As you will see in the videos, he was a pioneer in terms of defining the role of goalkeeper well outside of the 18 yard box. He has unusual technical skills, along with an intrepid nature. Similar to Jorge Campos, who we have discussed before at Keeper Skool, the goal mouth and box are not magnets for Mr. Higuita.

Recently, he was named to coach and train the Colombian U-17 and U-20 goalkeepers.

Professional Clubs

• Millionarios
• Atletico Nacional
• Real Valladollid (Spain)
• Atletico Nacional
• Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz (Mexico)
  
• Independiente Medellin
• Real Cartagena
• Atletico Junior
• Deportivo Pereira
• Aucas
• Bajo Cuaca FC
  
• Guaros de Lara FC (Venezuela).
  
• Deportivo Rionegro (2nd Division).
  

• 68 international appearances for Colombia.
  
• 29 wins, 25 draws, and 14 losses. Winning percentage: 61%.
  
• 54 goals conceded.
• Goals against ratio: 0.79.
• He scored 3 goals during his international career (41 overall).
  
• Winner of the Copa Libertadores and Copa Interamericana with Atletico Nacional in 1989.
  

Statistics courtesy of Frank Ballesteros for the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.

Highlight Video

Decline of Entertainment Value

"Football has become more of a business, The directors want results so the goalkeepers just try to do the simple things, such as a quick kick upfield, to avoid complicating the situation. The type of goalkeeper I like is the one who plays for a result and takes his position seriously, but at the same time entertains the people who pay for the tickets...

Asked which current goalkeepers were capable of matching his antics, Higuita replied: 'There aren't any.' "

Source: Reuters UK, "Goalkeepers Are No Fun Anymore," 01 May 2008.

Famous Incident at World Cup 1990: Colombia 1 x Cameroon 2



Occasionally, Higuita's theatrics have produced negative results. In this round of sixteen game at World Cup 1990 in Naples, Italy, he was dispossessed by the legendary lion of Cameroon, Roger Milla, in extra time for an easy goal that led to the elimination of Colombia from the tournament.

Creator of the Scorpion Kick

During an international friendly against England in 1995, Higuita performed what would become his signature move. Words can't adequately describe this display of brilliance, creativity, confidence, and intense concentration.

The Keeper as an Offensive Weapon

"Higuita himself scored 41 goals but the total has since being overtaken by retired Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert and Brazilian Rogerio Ceni.

'A lot of goalkeepers are now taking penalties and free kicks and this makes me satisfied. South America is a production line of goalkeepers for Europe and the rest of the world. The South American goalkeeper has the advantage of being a little more daring, a little more technical.' "

Source: Reuters UK, "Goalkeepers Are No Fun Anymore," 01 May 2008.