| Soccer balls do not come in just one size. Size 5 balls | | | | A smaller ball has a very rapid flight that requires a |
| are used for players aged 13 years and up. This is also | | | | goalkeeper to have to prepare his feet much faster if |
| the size that is use in all Major League Soccer games. | | | | he wants to protect his goal. The goalkeeper's visual |
| Size 4 balls are for players from age 8 to 12 years. | | | | speed will be improved, too - he has to watch the |
| Children under 8 years old use size 3 balls. These are | | | | kicker kick the ball and then time when he will have to |
| the only sizes of balls that are used in competitive play, | | | | respond (well, he really ought to respond immediately...) |
| but there are also two other sizes of balls. There are | | | | When training goalkeepers, you may incorporate the |
| size 2 and size 1 mini balls that usually have the | | | | mini ball into a number of shot handling and/or |
| circumferences of 20" and 18" inches respectively | | | | deflecting exercises. A coach must be creative in her |
| (compare this to the 27-28" circumference of a size 5 | | | | exercises, constantly changing the starting position or |
| ball). | | | | angle of the goalkeeper. When using the mini balls to |
| The players that usually get the most and best training | | | | train the goalkeeper's deflecting techniques, it forces |
| from these "mini balls" are soccer goalkeepers. It is a | | | | the goalkeeper to concentrate on striking the center of |
| lot harder to block a mini ball than a regular sized one - | | | | the mini ball, which has smaller surface area than a |
| it requires much more precision. The primary | | | | regulation ball. The mini ball training will expose a |
| goalkeeping skill that is gained from using the mini ball | | | | weakness in the goalkeeper's saving technique if he |
| training is the adjustment of the catching unit, or the | | | | cannot read the flight of the ball correctly or make |
| contour catch. To catch a mini ball, the goalkeeper | | | | solid contact when deflecting. |
| must adjust his hand position to a smaller, more precise | | | | Mini balls are a great and interesting way to improve |
| catching position. It is not just his hands that he must | | | | your goalkeeper's game (hey, and while your goalie is |
| adjust - the goalkeeper's upper body is important, too. | | | | still learning to block the ball, your other players can |
| Goalkeepers need to prepare their bodies so that their | | | | boosts their confidences while enjoying the fun of |
| hands, head, and chest are in alignment with the ball. | | | | being able to make a shot more easily). The use of |
| Goalkeepers don't just learn the contour catch while | | | | mini balls is just one of many innovative training |
| training with a mini ball. Goalkeepers also experience | | | | methods which can maximize your goalkeeper's |
| an increase in their physical and visual reaction speed. | | | | mental capacity while expanding his physical limitations. |