Goalkeeper Program
If you're a dedicated goalkeeper looking for specialized, position-specific instruction, the IMG Soccer Academy's Boys Goalkeeper Camps are the ultimate training grounds for keepers of all ability levels.
Sessions are conducted by some of the nation’s premier coaches and address techniques including shot stopping, crosses, distribution, and positional play. Goalkeepers also gain an edge with superior physical conditioning for lateral speed, power and explosive movements. Not only will you improve your goalkeeping skill, but you can become THE TOTAL ATHLETE.
Goalkeeper Program Benefits/Details
- The Boys Goalkeeping Program is available year-round for athletes of all ability levels aged 12-19
- Athletes will train a minimum of four times a week with their goalkeeper coach as well as work with our mental conditioning experts once a week and our physical conditioning coaches three times a week
- The IMG Soccer Academy goalkeeper alumni playing professional soccer include Dave Mahoney, Jon Busch and Tim Howard
- Expert physical conditioning ranging from lateral, speed, power and explosiveness movement creates the competitive edge for every goalkeeper in training
- Coaches break down actions of the goalkeeper to the smallest detail, providing the player necessary steps to achieve success
- Specific training sessions focused on GK development and training. Apply that training into practice with games against the students while being coached through the games
- Technique breakdown provides necessary steps to achieve success
- Highly competitive games allow keepers to hone skills, technique, and decision making capabilities
Goalkeeper Curriculum
| TECHNICAL | |
| Shot Stopping | Catching/handling |
| Stance | Foot skills/Distribution |
| Diving | Crossing |
| Breakaways | Boxing |
| Parrying/Tipping | |
| TACTICAL | |
| Angle play and positioning | Organizing the defense |
| Starting position | Restarts |
| Initiating the attack/Building up | Reading the attack |
| Playing as a sweeper keeper | |
| MENTAL | |
| Management – Relax during times of pressure, commanding composure from the back when pressure is on and making big saves when needed, as well as having an appropriate amount of aggression and physical authority without losing emotional control. | |
| Strong Communication Skills– Commanding respect and directing appropriate directions to defenders, organizing the team early and authoritatively on set pieces. | |
| High Level of Concentration – Ability to maintain focus on important visual cues to initiate the appropriate action and reading the game to prepare for dangerous situations, e.g.; coming of the line to prevent a deep long ball from reaching a striker before the shot. | |
| High Level of Resiliency – Ability to bounce back from a setback, deal with adversity and manage mistakes appropriately, being able to focus on appropriate controllable factors that support high level performance. | |
| Bold Confidence – Ability to consistently perform at a high level with belief and motivation knowing that a great amount of responsibility is an integral part of the role of a great goalkeeper. | |
| PHYSICAL | |
| Movement Pep – teaching proper technique involving acceleration, running technique, jumping, linear movement, and lateral movement. Movement prep gives the goalkeepers the ability to work on technique before involving the movement in drills that are game like. | |
| First step explosive training- teaching the proper mechanics in acceleration from a stand still position. This type of training and drills incorporated within the training teach goalkeepers the proper way to accelerate and help to increase acceleration speed allowing goalkeepers to be quicker of their line. | |
| Sand Training- agility and speed work with a twist. Performing agility drills and speed work in the sand adds resistance to the drills. Goalkeepers have to work harder as the sand gives way unlike the firm ground. Footwork speed increases as well as speed. Plyometrics are also performed in the sand to work on explosiveness. | |
| Explosive Med Ball Work – power for running and explosive movements comes from the hips. Having goalkeepers perform explosive throws such as an overhead throw with a med ball allows them to work on generating power from the hips. | |
| Lateral Speed – being able to shuffle properly to cover distance across the goal laterally is very important for a goalkeeper. Teaching goalkeepers how to use the proper technique and motor patterns while shuffling can increase lateral speed. | |
Notable Alumni/Students

Contact the IMG Soccer Academy for more information at:
Mike Bermudez, Camp Advisor
941.752.2467
Michael.Bermudez@imgworld.com
or...
Tel: 800.872.6425
Fax: 941.752.2531
E-mail: ACAD_IMGSoccer@imgworld.com or register@imgacademies.com
Soccer Tips and Soccer Drills - Foundations of Goalkeeping Series nnLearn from IMG Soccer Academy Coach, Scott Bowers, and MLS star, Zak Boggs, how to properly play goalkeeper. This is the first video...


Have you ever dreamed of playing on the perfectly manicured fields that you see during professional matches? No potholes. No slanted fields. No chasing balls that roll well out of bounds. With 13 full-size soccer fields, you and your team can play and train on fields worthy of the world’s top pros at the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, FL. No training facility in the country offers a better mix of world-class facilities, pristine weather and convenience for your team to focus solely on skill development and building team camaraderie.
Jared Vock is an IMG Soccer Academy Alumni having attended the Academy as a full-time student from 1999-2001, coming from Plymouth, MI. Jared graduated from the Academy in 2001 and received a full-scholarship to the University of South Florida and went on to finish his college eligibility at LeMoyne College. Since arriving at the IMG Soccer Academy as a full-time coach, Jared has worked with players of all ages and abilities; the players he has coach range in age from 12 all the way to the 18 year-old USDA players. Jared started his full-time coaching career at the age of 22 under the tutelage of previous IMG Soccer Director, Tom Durkin.
By any measure of success – from players produced to team success to number of college scholarships earned – the IMG Soccer Academy has proven itself as the nation’s best. Since its inception in 1994, the Academy has continually developed some of the country’s best players while also putting the caliber of teams on the field that can successfully compete in any tournament against any team at any time.