Thanks guys.
Interesting how much of your advice line up with what we have seen/know. You guys might know what your talking about
@Zososoxfan
1. Yea she works on the field but its definitely the weakest part of her game (as you would expect from someone playing 3 years almost (95%) of her time in goal.
2. When she tried out for the Premier team and does goalie clinics through them, they often do the "turn and react" drill. Most of the time it was "right to her" (at least IMHO). But as I say they are the experts so I figured there must be training value in that.
3. I would say she is pretty strong at angles. Some is coaching and a large part is the experience she has from so many games. Obviously its something that can get stronger but she is "solid". I was not aware of the "Rolling into a shot" thing. Good tip.
4. Double Saves was something that the Tryout and Clinic emphasized. She did well on them. She actually makes us pretty nervous during the course of the game when she doesnt cleanly catch a shot. "usually" she makes the second save in a "I got this" manner but it is terror inducing at times as a parent.
5. She is getting better at Coming out. I think a big thing is being "Decisive". She went through the early phases of learning to come out where she would start....stop...restart....realize oh shit....then often get beat. This past season she was saying "Screw it" more and being decisive....and beating girls to the ball and knocking it away well out in the box. She still got beat but I figured that was a practice thing of knowing what she could get too and how fast the incoming player was. And that occasionally your gonna make the wrong choice. This is about the most terror inducing time watching her leaving the goal WIDE open. But We realize its what they are supposed to do alot of the time.
6. She has developed the deflection skill over the last 6 months or so. Using the "over the net" or off to the side deflections. I think she might also be using this more then she should. Popping a shot into the air then catching it. Maybe thats the technique.....
7. Definitely needs to work on Crosses. Its still pretty rare at u12 for a corner or wing kick to cross, but when it does happen she isnt aggressive in going for the ball. It seems like she is more worried about being "in position" to make a save rather then getting the ball before it can become a shot. But that might just be my novice take of whats happening.
8. Her Kicks from the ground pretty much suck (or at least I think so). We often have a a really good Defenseman girl take the kick. I will tell her about the "ankle lock" thing. Her punts are good to excellent. Often getting across midfield on a u12 field. They often lead to breaks for her offense. "Turning the field" is definitely a strength. She can sometimes kick too high....which results in a high bounce (or occasional head) that her team controls sometimes (other times not). So the "Side foot thing" might be an interesting thing to investigate. She is strong (a bigger girl on her team) so she has the muscle....just think its a technique refinement thing.
@Saints Rest
She is pretty good at Most throws. Grenade throw she can get it 20 yards maybe more. Over head probably needs some work. Rolls are very underutilized on her team currently. I suspect that none of the u12s are worried about getting beat that bad so there is pretty constant pressure which does not lend itself to rolls. She is working on getting rid of the ball quicker. Occasionally will make the save then spend 10-20 seconds looking at this girl or that girl or another girl trying to decide the best option. The Basketball is a great idea (she is in that season now LOL).
@BrazilianSoxFan
We wondered about that. They were really putting on a "full court press" this spring when we were considering it. I didnt want to sound cheap or insult anyone so I tried to dance around the idea. I asked "Would she be the primary Goalie or do you plan on her splitting time?" They told me that "She is the only goalie we are looking at for u12." Regardless we never got to the point where they offered or we asked for a discount. I think my wife did mention that it was alot of money a couple times. And when we finally declined we cited cost as the reason. If she continue to be strong maybe the opportunity will present itself again. I will probably kick myself for not investing the money now. Out of 3 athletic kids she is probably the best and soccer (goal) is her talent. So some kind of scholarship wouldnt suprise me some day (I am not so crazy to think a D1.....but D2 could be a possibility.) And from what I have heard those are much more of a possibility for Premier players/teams.
She is good (humble brag...cause you know I should get credit cause her mother let me have sex one night 13 years ago
). in 15 games she had 7 shut outs and allowed .60 gaa. She had a really good Defenseman who was by no means an afterthought and contributed ALOT to these numbers. Between the 2 of them they shut down alot of offenses. At one point we had 4 Shutouts in a row and 330 consecutive minutes without a goal against. All this in a D1 Bracket (so while not premier....the best "free" competition in the state).
Time will tell if she is really good or not.
Thanks again for the Tips and please keep them coming as they occur to you.