Goalkeeping School

Goalkeeping School

Welcome to DC Way Academy's Goalkeeping School – the ultimate destination for young soccer enthusiasts aged 7 to 15 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 players.

Practice Details

Dates: January 7 - February 18 (Tuesdays)

  • January 7, 14, 21, 28 | February 4, 11, 18

  • Make-up day on February 25

Ages & Time (open for all players):

  • Ages 7-9 at 5:30-6:30 pm

  • Ages 10-12 at 6:30-7:30 pm

  • Ages 13-15 at 7:30-8:30 pm

Location: The Fields at RFK Campus

Directed by: Coach Alex

Fee: $175 for 7 Sessions | $30 for One Day

What to Bring: Shinguards, water bottle, and goalie gloves (optional)

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:

  1. Warm-up routine, stretching, ball familiarity, and ready position

  2. Ways of catching, footwork, and positioning

  3. Shot stopping, diving, and parrying

  4. Distribution and 1v1 situations

  5. Penalty kicks and secrets of saving

  6. Decision making and group plays

  7. Recap, competitions, and bigger-sized games 

PROGRAM INFORMATION:

  • DC Way Academy follows DCPS mask policies. To learn more about DCPS policies, please click here.

  • 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.