Posted by joe - 15/03/2009
Q. Hi richard, got retained, signed now till iam 16. they got rid of loads of keepers. joe
A. That's awesome, I'm delighted for you. I'm sure you don't need telling but really enjoy moments like this because you'll have some times when football kicks you in the teeth, so make the most of the highs and continue to progress. Keep me informed
Posted by james - 14/03/2009
Q. Hi Richard, first of all I have just came across your website. I think that it great what your doing here, you’re an inspiration for young footballers and the second thing I was wondering was what does your training consist of each day? Just because I am currently in the Centre of Excellence at Hartlepool and was wondering what training goalkeepers do on a day to day basis. Cheers Richard and good look today =)
A. Thanks :)
Well our day to day schedule changes due to games on various days etc. But a standard week consisting of only a saturday game would be the following. Monday - off, Tuesday - Tough session involving a gym session (Leg weights etc), then plenty of handling drills and diving drills. Wednesday - Another tough session, another gym session (Upper body weights) More handling drills and footwork drills. Thursday - Lighter session, plenty of kicking and crossing. Friday - Short and sharp session, plenty of handling and making sure we are 100% for saturdays game. Then sunday would generally be a day off. If we have a midweek game then we would train on both the sunday and the monday, it really does change week by week.
Hope that's of some help.
Posted by Daniel Ion - 13/03/2009
Q. Hi rich. Im 16 and im a huge watford fan. i travel to watford every watford home league game from northampton. My ultimate dream is to be a professional footballer playing for watford. I play for a sunday league team but there doesnt seem to be scouts attending my games. Is there anyway i could have a trial with watford?
Thanks
Dan.
A. If you truly believe you are good enough then do something about it, write to clubs and let them know just how good you are, how committed you are etc. Clubs don't like the thought that they may miss out on talent and if you are quite forceful then the least they will do is send a scout to watch you and some may even give you a trial.
So write out a CV with a picture attached, photocopy it and send it to all your local clubs, watford, mk dons, northampton etc and you never know what may happen. Your actions could make your dream a reality! :-)
Posted by James - 12/03/2009
Q. Hi, do you have any techniques for preparing mentally for games and also keeping focused in games? thanks
A. Mental preparation is massive, the biggest bit of advice I would give you is to keep your thoughts positive, imagine doing all your techniques to a high level, catching crosses, kicking the ball accurately and making great saves.
Tell yourself that you are awesome and go into a game with a smile on your face. Expect to play a fantastic game and give that off with your body language. You do this on a regular basis and i can promise you that performance levels will improve. Goalkeeping is for the most part about confidence, and where does confidence come from?? ..... The few inches between your ears! It's all linked to your thoughts.
Posted by martyn mitchell - 10/03/2009
Q. Hi Richard
My name is martyn, I am 15 and trialing for my colleges acadamy next year in 2 weeks. I am fairly good but my kicking will let me down. So I was woundering if this would affect my chances alot and what is the best way to improve?
Regards Martyn
A. Well obviously kicking is quite a big part of a keepers game these days so it's something that it quite important but is also something that you can definately improve. Firstly it's important that you see yourself as a good kicker, this is a psychological tip but basically as long as you believe you are not a good kicker then you'll find it tough to improve.
My next bit of advice would then be to get out and practice, practice, practice. Get a friend to come with you and just play about with different techniques. You'll mess up a lot at first so don't get annoyed with yourself, but when you start to find a technique that works you'll get a lot of satisfaction and before you know it, it really will be a big strength in your game.
Regarding your trial, if you are strong enough in your other areas then the coaches will see this and see the potential you have. Good luck!
Posted by joe harrington - 09/03/2009
Q. hi richard, Got my first retain or release night at Peterbrough wednesday and am really nervous. did you get nervous when you were waiting to see if watford were going to keep you on. joe
A. Sure, I get nervous for every game. Just keep in mind that the nerves are serving a purpose, they will allow you to reach heights you wouldn't be able to reach when relaxed, aim to use them in the right way. Keep the mindset that you are going to have an incredible game and do all your techniques well.
Once the game is over you can evaluate your performance and work on any areas that need it but it's important you approach the game in right frame of mind to give you the best possible chance. I'm always told there is no such thing as failure, only an opportunity to learn, this is quite a productive thought for me as it allows me to look at mistakes etc is a different light and find positives in everything. I realise I've gone slightly off the subject there but just thought I'd share that with you ;-)
I'm sure you'll do great, smile, enjoy it and let me know how it goes.
Posted by Brad Simpson - 08/03/2009
Q. Hi rich i recently asked you a question on what to put in my trial letters and i thought i would update you. I recieved a letter back and they said that they had a number of keepers at the club already and werent lookinjg to add to the number. Others im still waiting to hear back from. I was just wondering should i put different bits in the letter and what and also have you got any advice for half volley dropkicks? thanks
A. Well sorry to hear that they don't want anyone for now but use that to fuel your passion and make them regret saying that to you. So whatever you do, don't lose heart, try different approaches and I'm sure sooner or later you wil get a trial.
A half volley is quite a tough technique and there's a few different ways of doing it. I've always dropped from my left hand to my left foot, trying to keep my body quite straight and using only a 2 step run up. I've copied my technique from Shay Given but the likes of Van der Sar drop from his left hand to his right foot and is very accurate, so is quite a personal thing. As with anything practice will provide you with a way you feel comfortable doing it, play around with different techniques until you find the one for you.
keep me informed
Posted by tommy - 04/03/2009
Q. hello Richard. I was just wondering, what do you think of all of this under armour stuff. would you recommend them as I am unsure of them? and I was just wondering what football boots do you currently have? cheers mate. Tommy
A. Hi Tommy, I am a fan of the under armour stuff, especially in the winter. For me I find it quite tough to get warm when it's sub zero temperatures so by wearing that to go out in I find I warm up much quicker, and the warmer you are the more flexible your muscles are etc so in theory the better you'll perform. I wear the stuff every day for training now.
I currently wear Umbro boots, am quite fortunate in that they send pairs through for me but I do really like them, I'm not sure exactly what model they are but they are v comfortable and look good so I like them :)
Posted by Jeremy Hinds - 04/03/2009
Q. Richard, I'm a Watford season ticket holder and always interested in your site as i'm a keeper myself. I play every saturday for my university team and struggle with my kicks from the ground. I was wondering if there are any tips you can give me so that i can get length into my kicks. Thanks
A. Well kicking is a subject I've put a lot of thought into myself over the past 10 years or so. Firstly I think it's true that the more opportunity you get to practice, the better. You'll be surprised at the improvements you'll make by just going out with a mate and clipping balls to each other.
On a technical point I was always told as a youngster to 'get under the ball', which i don't believe is entirely true. It's obviously important to get the ball in the air but the best kickers will drive the ball barely above head height 70 - 80 yards. So I think it's important to think of it as a drive with a golf club, keep the ball low with minimal spin and it'll go great distances.
The other point would be make sure you have a good base, so make sure your standing foot is well planted. I tend to turn my standing foot out slightly when i set it so that I don't slip over because when you are putting a lot of power through the ball there's always the chance your standing foot may give way.
Hope that's of help.
Posted by joe harrington - 28/02/2009
Q. hi richard , i bought this dvd called mastering the art of goalkeeping and saw you in it ,
i was wondering were all the keepers there asked to wear sells or were they your own thanks , joe
A. The DVD was actually produced by Sells, so all the keepers appearing on it are actually sponsored by Sells. I've been wearing Sells for the past 6 years or so and would definately recommend them!