Crossbar Conversations with Don & Blodge

Agenda:   Characteristics of the Highest Level Goalkeepers Characteristics of Highest Level GKs GK Training & Competitiveness at the Highest Levels Experiences Coaching Tony Meola & Zach Thornton 5 Elements of a GK's Development Experiences Coaching Tim Howard GK Trainers vs GK Coaches Head Coach & GK Coach Relationships Influence on Head Coaches Importance of Relationships & Trust GK Coaching Education   Coach:  Tim Mulqueen, St. Joseph's University Men's Head Coach - Current Head Coach with St. Joseph's University Men's Soccer.  Former USMNT GK Coach.  Former Professional GK Coach (Kansas City Wizards, MetroStars, Orlando City).  Winner of the MLS Cup (2000), Supporters Shield (2000), & US Open Cup (2004).  Former Professional Head Coach (Memphis 901).  Former AC @ Rutgers University Men's Soccer.  Coached the likes of Tim Howard, Tony Meola, Brad Guzan, Kasey Keller, Zach Thornton, Brad Friedel, Kevin Hartman, Mike Ammann, amongst others.    

Agenda:  Successful Head Coach & GK Coach Relationship UNC Women Dynasty Team Culture Mentality Core Values & Trust Competition within the Team Environment Peer Feedback  GK Leadership    Coach:  Anson Dorrance, Retired University of North Carolina (UNC) Head Coach - Head Coach of UNC Women's soccer team from 1979 - 2024, and the men's team from 1977 - 1988.  21-time NCAA National Champion. 7-time NCAA National Coach off the Year.  USWNT Head Coach.  World Cup Winner (1991).  UNC Sports Hall of Fame (2005).     Coach:  Chris Ducar, University of North Carolina (UNC) Assistant Coach & General Manager - 30+ years with UNC.  UNC GK Coach, 26 years.  9-time NCAA National Champion.  2006 National Assistant Coach of the Year named by National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NCSAA).  Former USYNT GK Coach.

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. 

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.

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).

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).  

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.

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

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

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 

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