* Goalkeeper Training * Sunday Soccer Camps * Friday Night Age Group Training*

Goalkeeper Training Spring 2025

Durango Rapids SC will be implementing Age Specific Goalkeeping (GK) trainings. Every team is required to send players interested in GK to their age specific training. 

GK Director: 

Hayley Hollenga  ‭(719) 237-3097‬,  [email protected]

This is an opportunity for EVERY goalkeeper to grow and improve as well as an opportunity for the club to develop more GK’s. GK trainings are designed to be one night of the week. The GK training may, or may not, be at the same time as your practice session. 

What to expect at age specific training:
Training should progress age group to age group.

U9/U10:            
May not see what they practice come through in games but that’s okay! Need to give them a chance to learn and play in game situations (SAFETY and FUN first).
Laying the foundation for: 

·       Stance & Ready Position

·       Positioning

·       Footwork (shuffle and the crossover)

·       Handling (contour catch & basket)

·       Communication (keeper & away) 

·       Distribution (bowling, volley, goal kicks)

U11/U12:          
Start to see what they practice come through in games. Still too early to specialize but probably have one or two full time goalkeepers. 
Footwork Exercises General Handling Techniques Emphasized

·       Positioning (Dynamic)

·       Handling (Side and High Contour) Ball kicked at different heights

·       Positional Play (Angle Arc/Vertical Positioning/Flank Positioning)

·       Introduction to Diving and Recovering. Focus on Low and Move to Mid-Level

·       Communication (contain, step, slide, back post coverage)

·       Distribution (back pass, punts, drop kick, throw –baseball vs sling)

·       1v1 Principles Introduces

U13/U14: 

Should see what you are coaching coming through in game.
Importance of agility training.
Coaches expectations should be clearly communicated (may differ from team to team).

·       Set/Ready Position (Back Set – shuffle, small hop, not backwards)

·       Handling (front smother, parrying)

·       Positional Play (starting the attack, Expanded range, 3 goals, inside vs outside penalty area, instep drive)

·       Diving (collapse and extension)

·       Distribution (mastering it, different types of balls & when, outlet with purpose on back pass)

·       Communication with Specifics (force in, force out, contain, no shot, block, wing, time, turn)

·       Introduce Set-Play Defense

U15/HS: 
Everything above plus more specific details
Strength Training Emphasized

·       Dealing with Crosses (catching, punching and organizing)

·       Dealing with back pass with pressure, giving good angles, distance and options. 

·       Communication and Leadership.

·       Play Over Distance. 

·       Set Play Organization

Qualities it takes to be a good GK:
Desire to play the position
Good hands….Ability to catch the ball in various situations
Ability to receive and delivery a ball
Confidence, ability to communicate
Athletic, quick, strong and agile
Mentally/Emotionally a strong and stable (pressure position)

How to identify a GK?
Bravery
Athletic Ability (coordination)
Confidence
Desire
Confidence
Trust/Teammate

When should they specialize?
Whenever the player wants. However, do not pressure the player into a position. Encouragement should be on the whole games. 
If starting early, still emphasize teaching the whole game first.
Technique starts first (young) and then as they age/progress you teach the tactics.

How do you develop leadership?
Let them take charge
Let them add input 
Let them help correct mistakes (self and others)
Let them watch other goalkeepers (part of learning what it should look like, sound like, etc)

Sunday Soccer Camps

Sunday Soccer Camps are a fantastic way for players to stay active and get extra touches on the ball. The camps are lead by Coach Matt Baldridge, head coach of the Durango Rapids SC (DRSC) U16 boys, Durango High School JV coach, and Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Fort Lewis College. Coach Baldridge and the other instructors are passionate about soccer and love to share that passion with youth players.  At camp, the goal is not solely to develop new skills but to also focus on enhancing and improving current technique and form in increasingly higher pressure environments. For campers maturing alongside the game of soccer, our curriculum shifts to introducing variations of drills to reinforce proper mechanics and techniques on the field. There will also be a goalkeeper component. There is a strong focus on player growth. At each camp, in addition to skills development, our coaching instructors emphasize our DRSC 5 core values – character, commitment, work ethic, selflessness, and leadership.

DATES: Sundays: (3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/27, 5/4)
Location: Riverview Elementary
AGE GROUP & TIME:
U9-12 (10-11:30am)
U13-18 (10-11:30am)
COST:
$50 (session)
$200 (for all 5 sessions) 
*Checks payable to Durango Rapids SC, 862 Main Ave #203, Durango, CO. 81301

REGISTER

Friday Night Age Group Trainings

This is an optional third night of practice for Durango Rapids Soccer Club members. These practices are at no extra cost to DRSC members. We are asking members to sign up in order to staff the coaches accordingly.

Dates: Friday - (3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2) 
Location: Riverview Elementary School
U9/10 Boys & Girls (2016 & 2015): 4-5pm
U11/12 Boys & Girls (2014 & 2013): 5:15-6:15pm
U13/14 Boys & Girls (2012 & 2011): 5:00-6pm
U15-18 Boys & Girls (2010-2007): 6:15-7:15pm

REGISTER

2025 Summer Goalkeeper Camp

Location: Fort Lewis College – Dirks Field/Birch Softball Field
Dates: June 9 th , 10 th , 11 th
Cost: $150
Ages: U9 – U12 Time: 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Skill Focuses: Body Control, Footwork, Agility, Handling, Set Position/Positioning, Distribution, Intro to
Diving
Ages: U13 – U18 Time: 11:00 pm – 1 pm
Skill Focuses: Agility, Strength, Positioning, Footwork, Handling, Diving, Crossing, Distribution,
Recovery/2 nd Saves
Minimum 4 goalkeepers needed for each age groups and maximum of 8 goalkeepers for each.
Each goalkeeper will receive an evaluation at the end of their last training session.
Last 30 minutes of each training will competition and games.
Director of GK: Hayley Hollenga
Contact: [email protected], 719-237-3097
Deadline to Register: June 3 rd
Payment: Checks payable to Durango Rapids Soccer Club or cash (Bring payment to the first day of
camp.

Register Now