Guys — just a quick heads-up. Yesterday was a huge family day for me. We celebrated my youngest daughter Mckenzie’s 18th birthday, and we also welcomed my beautiful new granddaughter, Meadow, born to my eldest daughter Ash. I still can’t quite believe I’m a grandad… when did I get this old? 😅 The reason I’m sharing this with you is because Ash and Mckenzie are a massive part of what we do. They help me behind the scenes so we can keep putting out the free advice, support, and resources you see here in the Skool community and on www.j4ksports.com. So until Monday, we’re going to be a bit slower than normal getting back to messages and requests. Thanks for being part of this with us — and thanks in advance for your patience. 🙌

Thought I'd write something about GK throwing. I've heard it called the 'over-arm throw', the' javelin' throw or 'arch' throw. This, like the roll-out post I did, can be deadly to the opposition - if you do it accurately. When you're younger, you just try to achieve the biggest distance possible - but being accurate & catching the opposition by surprise - can be very helpful too & as you get older, players become wiser to our GK moves. If you go for all-out distance, you have to wind-it-up & it then becomes pretty obvious where its going. The opposing team will begin to head there, before you've even released the ball. Sometimes a shorter throw - without telegraphing where its heading, can clear a striker (getting ready to pounce on any mistake you make - don't you just hate that!) & get to your winger, who is then off & away....! Both mine are also good at feints (faking it) Winding up for the throw & looking in a certain direction. The opposition then all start running that way - then catching the pretend throw with the other hand (not actually letting it go, of course) then turning & throwing it to a player on the other side. 'Pump it & turn' - as we say. If used quickly & they don't expect it, you're on to a winner...!

Train hard & fight easy, is the old saying. I'd have to totally agree with this. It has been my experience for 45+ years of training, but I wont bore anyone with that. GK is what we're here for. Both my two are now at a very nice level & this is an example of one we use; Multiple balls & shots. Try at least two servers, with 5-6 balls each. I guess we are fortunate to have up to 8 severs at their club - but have at least two, if you can. A catch. a K block or spread (get up!) a low dive (get up!) a high dive (get up!) another catch, followed by a long shot to finish. Then rest. The 'get up!' is me shouting. Total time for everything, 10-15 seconds max. When mine were younger, I used less intensity & longer reset times. The closest person to any rebounds, shoots again (& again if there's a 2nd rebound) Nothings ever left & we all know how your opposition wont give you a second chance, right..? GK - the hardest position on the pitch.

Great session for this young man tonight. Those drop kicks are coming along nicely 👌 Big thank you to @Robert Richards for the training tips. Worked a treat tonight 👍

Both my GK's were playing at the same time today, so I take one & the wife takes the other. I get my boys match today & we have a whole series of code-words, which I've mentioned in a previous posting. I've mention my shout of 'neutral' before, some might remember. Our team are now used to me shouting (apparently!) random words, from the sideline. 'Chocolate!' 'Cars!' etc, etc. Today saw the arrival of our new linesman. A nice young fella - about 17. So, there's this old bloke (me!) standing near the corner-flag, shouting random words to the GK. He kept looking over his shoulder when he was close & I'm not surprised, TBH..! During half-time, I told him the GK was my son & its all coded. He looked soooo relieved..! 'What does that word mean?' he asked & when I explained, he said 'of course it does - I can see it now!' Gave me a good smile, during the 1st half & before he knew though..! Thought we were going to get done today, but both games were won 1-0 😃 Lovely.