Crossbar Conversations with Don & Blodge

S1, Episode 8: Tony Elliott - Worldwide Goalkeeping Development Trends

Agenda:  Worldwide Goalkeeping Development Trends
Global Goalkeeping Development Trends
US vs UK vs Worldwide - Differences & Similarities
GK Culture
GK Coach vs Head Coach Relationship
GK Coach Influences within the Club 
GK Coaching Education
Influence of the 5 Elements of a GK's Development
Pain Points
Next Steps
 
Coach:  Tony Elliott (Birmingham, England) - UEFA A License GK Coach.  Head of Women's International Youth Goalkeeping at the F.A.  Head of F.A.'s Para Lead GK Coach.  Lead GK Coach, England Men's Blind & Deaf Squad.  International Futsal Coach & Educator.    2-time F.A. Disability Coach of the Year.  2025 Nations Cup Gold Medal, International Blind Soccer Association.  Author - A Modern Approach to Goalkeeping.  Former Professional Goalkeeper (Hereford United, Huddersfield Town, Carlisle United, Cardiff City, Scarborough).  Former Professional GK Coach (Birmingham City Women).  Former England National Team Futsal GK Coach. 

S1, Episode 7: Phil Wheddon - The Evolution & Future Trends of Goalkeeper Coaching

Agenda:  The Evolution & Future Trends of Goalkeeper Coaching
Tactical Game Related Training
GK Coaching Education
Goalkeeping Game Model
GK Coach - Official Member of the Coaching Staff
Proper Training Environment
Environment vs Session
Communication Between HC and GK Coach
Mentorships
 
Coach:  Phil Wheddon (Pennsylvania) - Philadelphia Union Assistant Coach & Director of Goalkeeping.  FIFA Technical Expert.  International Goalkeeper Coaches Conference (IGCC), Director.  Former USNT Goalkeeper Coach for the Men & Women.  Coached in 3 World Cups & 2 Olympics.

S1, Episode 6: Dr. Bill Steffen - Psychological Pressures of Goalkeeping

Agenda:  Psychological Pressures of Goalkeeping
Who Needs to Understand?
Support Group is Needed
How do Coaches Administer Pressure in Training?
How Do Coaches Train the Mind?
Tools to Relieve Pressure
Pressure & Confidence Go Hand in Hand
Life Lessons
Pressure is a Privilege
 
Coach:  Dr. Bill Steffen (North Carolina) - Associate Professor of Sport Science Wingate University.  United Soccer Coaches Lead Educator GK Education.  27 Years Collegiate Coach.  2-time National Champion with North Carolina Women's Soccer.  2016 United Soccer Coaches Berticelli Award (Outstanding Contributions to Soccer Education).

S1, Episode 5: Jon Conway - Meaning of "Being the #1"

Agenda:
Skills Acquired in Youth Development
College Competition - Competing to be #1
Professional MLS Competition
Being the #2
How to Deal with Adversity
Earning the #1
Keeping the #1
Coaching In the Professional MLS Game
Pathways & Opportunities - What to Look For
Parent Takeaways to Support Your GK
 
Coach:  Jon Conway (Toronto) - Former 12 Year Professional MLS Goalkeeper (Toronto FC, Chivas USA, New York Red Bulls, San Jose Earthquakes).  2 Time MLS Cup Champion.  Former 9 Year MLS Goalkeeper Coach (Toronto FC).  

S1, Episode 4: Mike Ammann - GK Coach vs GK Trainer

Agenda:
Define GK Coach & GK Trainer
Purposes of GK Coach & GK Trainer
Difference Between GK Coach & GK Trainer
GK Coach or GK Trainer w/in the Club? 
How do We Develop More GK Coaches?
 
Coach:  Mike Ammann (North Carolina) - Founder 247GK.  GK Coach w/ UNC Charlotte Mens Soccer.  GK Coach @ Charlotte Independence.  Former Professional Goalkeeper in English Football (Charlton Athletic) and MLS (Kansas City Wiz, D.C. United, New York MetroStars).  2000 MLS All-Star Game Starter.

S1, Episode 3: Ian Feuer - GK Coach & Head Coach Relationship

Agenda:
GK Coach & Head Coach Relationship
Reality vs Ideal in Club/Academy Environment
Head Coach Goalkeeping Knowledge is Needed
Collaboration is a MUST
How Changes Can Occur
Coach:  Ian Feuer (California) - Owner of Ian Feuer Goalkeeping Academy.  Former USMNT & US Olympic Goalkeeper.  Former Professional Goalkeeper (English Premier League, Major League Soccer).  Former USMNT, USWNT, Professional & Collegiate GK Coach.  @ianfeuer

S1, Episode 2: Jon Busch - GK Development w/in the Club & the GK Coaches Role

Agenda:
GK Development w/in the Club
Current vs Ideal Status GK Development w/in the Club
GK Coaches Roles w/in the Club 
GK Coaches Relationships w/ DOC & Head Coaches
Collaboration is a MUST
Benefits
Coach: Jon Busch (Pennsylvania) - Goalkeeper Coach, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship).  Director of Goalkeeping, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.  Former Director of Goalkeeping @ Hibernian FC (Scottish Premiership) & Indy Eleven (USL Championship).  Former 20+ year Professional Goalkeeper.  MLS GK of the Year 2008.  Owner, HP Goalkeeping.  @hpg_gk

S1, Episode 1: Brett Rosenberger - GK Culture

Agenda
GK Culture - What is it?
Starting a GK Culture in a Club
Support System
GK Culture - Reality vs Ideal
Coach - Brett Rosenberger (California): UGKA BOD Member.  Director, Azteca Proving Grounds.  Former Professional Midfielder & Goalkeeper (Germany & USA).  @aztecaprovinggrounds 

Introduction to Crossbar Conversations

Agenda - Introduction to Crossbar Conversations
- Introduction Don Maples, Paul Blodgett, Erik Eisenhut
- Purpose/Reasons behind Crossbar Conversations
- Preview of the First 5 Episodes
- Promises to the Audience
 
Coaches
- Don Maples (Tennessee): Owner, Clean Sheet GK Academy.  USSF Coach Educational Staff.  United Soccer Coaches Educational Staff.  USYS ODP Region South Coaching Staff.  USYS ODP Director of Goalkeeping for Florida, Alabama, Tennessee.  @cleansheetgka
 
- Paul Blodgett (New Jersey): UGKA BOD Member.  Owner, Paul Blodgett Goalkeeper Training School.  USYS ODP Director of Goalkeeping New Jersey.  Rutgers Univeristy Athletics Hall of Fame.  Former Professional and Collegiate Coach.  Author: Generational Goalkeeping: A Grassroots Roadmap for Ages U8 - World Class.  @Paul.blodgett
 
- Erik Eisenhut (Pennsylvania): UGKA BOD Member.  Owner, UGKA Pittsburgh GK Academy.  Former 10 year D1 Collegiate GK/AC.  Former USYS Region East GK Coaching Staff.  Former USYS PA West Director of GKs.  @erikeisenhut
 
@unitedgkalliance