Goalkeeping School
Goalkeeping School
Welcome to DC Way Academy's Goalkeeping School – the ultimate destination for young soccer enthusiasts aged 7 to 16 to embark on an exceptional journey of goalkeeping development. At our academy, we are passionate about refining the skills of our future goalkeeping champions, fostering technical proficiency, tactical awareness, psychological approach, and physical ability.
Whether your child is a beginner or an intermediate player, our goalkeeping program is tailored to meet their unique needs. Beginners will grasp the fundamentals and master all necessary components, while our intermediate students will thrive in a more demanding and challenging structure.
Goalkeeping School is free for our DC Way Academy travel players.
Fall Schedule
Important Update: Gallaudet University field will not be available this Wednesday, September 16. This week’s session will be held at RFK Fields #3A instead. All other details remain the same.
Dates: September 8 – October 28 (8 sessions)
Tuesdays at the RFK Fields:
Ages 7-9 at 5:00-6:00 pm | Ages 10-12 at 6:00-7:00 pm | Ages 13-16 at 7:00-8:00 pm
The Fields at RFK Campus – 401 Oklahoma Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Wednesdays at Gallaudet University:
Ages 7-9 at 5:30-6:30 pm | Ages 10-12 at 6:30-7:30 pm | Ages 13-16 at 7:30-8:30 pm
Gallaudet University – 800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Fee: 8 Sessions $215 | One Day $30
What to Bring: Water bottle and shin guards
Our Goalkeeping School is led by Coach Marco, a passionate educator and experienced soccer coach dedicated to helping players grow on and off the field. With over 20 years of coaching experience and a background in physical education, Coach Marco brings energy, expertise, and care to every session.
He holds multiple certifications, including a U.S. Soccer National D Coaching License, U.S. Soccer 11v11 Online License, Safe Soccer Certification through U.S. Soccer, a Certification in Soccer Technical Management, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education.
If you have any questions, contact Coach Marco at marco@dcway.com or call (443) 336-4667.
At DC Way Academy, we believe that the art of goalkeeping is a journey filled with excitement, courage, and endless possibilities.
Each invigorating 60-minute session promises a comprehensive experience. We start with a club-wide warm-up, followed by group demonstrations, games, hands-on practice, and valuable feedback from our professionally trained goalkeeping coaches. Rest assured, water breaks are thoughtfully provided to keep our young talents refreshed throughout the practice session.
Our certified team runs weekly goalkeeping clinics to improve different physical and cognitive skills than outfield players to prepare our athletes for every situation in a game. From diving saves to commanding the penalty area, our sessions are filled with fun and dynamic drills that keep our young keepers on their toes and spirits soaring high.
What sets us apart is our commitment to nurturing not just exceptional goalkeepers but also well-rounded individuals. Beyond mastering technical skills, our holistic approach focuses on instilling leadership, teamwork, and unwavering self-belief in our young keepers.
But it's not just about the gloves and saves; we also place a strong emphasis on the mental fortitude of our keepers. Through engaging exercises, we build resilience, decision-making skills, and the ability to stay focused under pressure — vital attributes of a top-notch goalkeeper.
Our skilled coaching staff comprises former professional goalkeepers and seasoned mentors. With their expert guidance, our young athletes receive personalized attention and encouragement, ensuring that their potential is unlocked to the fullest. So, if your child's heart beats for the goalkeeping position, let DCWA be their trusted mentor and guide on this thrilling experience!
Practice Details
Fundamentals: Ready position, basic catching, footwork, ball familiarity
Shot-stopping: Stationary and low diving saves, proper technique
Distribution: Throws, roll-outs, kicking accuracy under pressure
1v1 Scenarios: Closing angles, body position, reaction training
Parrying and Advanced Diving: Mid-height and aerial control
Game-Reading & Decision-Making: Reaction drills, communication
Set-Pieces & Penalties: Positioning, timing, psychology of stopping shots
Integration & Competition: Full-session mini matches and challenges
Program Information
DC Way Academy is committed to providing a safe, structured, and positive environment for every player.
Each player is expected to bring their own water bottle, snack, and other belongings.
In case of bad weather conditions, click here to follow our updates on program cancellations.
If you have specific questions not addressed here, please feel free to reach out to us at contact@dcwayacademy.org.
All of the DC Way Academy coaches are certified soccer coaches with extensive experience working with children. Our coaches have all passed mandatory background checks, have at least two years of experience working with children, and have received First Aid training.
