CHICAGO (October 16, 2007) - U.S. Soccer will host its National Goalkeeping License this coming January. This eight-day course focuses on coaches wishing to improve their ability to coach and train goalkeepers. Participants at U.S. Soccer’s National Goalkeeping License will have a chance to learn from some of the nation’s top-level instructors, including current and former National Team and Major League Soccer coaches.

The U.S. Soccer Goalkeeping License will be held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., from January 4-11.

“We have been very pleased thus far with the development of the Goalkeeping course,” said Women’s National Team goalkeeper coach and lead instructor for the Goalkeeping License course Phil Wheddon. "We feel like the course has grown and developed each year and I am excited for this coming January.”

U.S. Soccer will host the third edition of its National Goalkeeping License.

The U.S. Soccer National Goalkeeping License is intended for both the goalkeeper coach and the team coach. The license will develop and expand goalkeeping knowledge at the youth, collegiate, senior and professional levels. The course covers the principles and the components that go into developing goalkeepers, and the practical application of these principles. Additionally, the course teaches team coaches how to integrate goalkeeping into team training sessions while preparing and developing a long-term plan for the goalkeeper’s development.

“U.S. Soccer strives to educate coaches and further develop our goalkeeping education so that we can continue producing quality U.S. goalkeepers,” said Wheddon. “This license is an important step in our development of future goalkeepers.”

The course will instruct coaches on how to plan and manage their goalkeeper’s development over the course of an entire season. It features in-depth coverage of the technical, tactical, psychological and fitness components of the goalkeeper position. Similar to other U.S. Soccer Coaching Courses, this course will offer an interactive learning experience featuring field sessions, audio, video and traditional lectures.

Designed as a compliment to U.S. Soccer’s “A” and “B” License courses, the eight-day school includes field and classroom sessions and concludes with intensive testing on theoretical and practical applications of the game. The course also includes valuable instruction in coaching methodology, team management and fitness.

Applicants must hold the following prerequisites to apply:

1. U.S. Soccer “A” License, or
2. U.S. Soccer “B” License

Upon completion, “A” License coaches will receive eight (8) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for attendance at the eight-day course.

For more information, please contact the U.S. Soccer Coaching Department at coaches@ussoccer.org or 312-808-1300.