Course details: The UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma

Goalkeeper coaching is a fundamental element of the game, ensuring this specialised position is well catered for with dedicated sessions and practices designed to enhance the quality of the individual.

The UEFA Goalkeeper A diploma prepares a coach for coaching goalkeepers of all ages in professional football.

UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma requirements

- A valid UEFA B licence
- If applicable in the hosting nation, a valid UEFA Goalkeeper B licence

Course length

The UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma helps the coach guide a club's goalkeeper development and performance strategyGetty Images

The UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma requires a total minimum 120 hours of education. A minimum 50 hours will be spent studying guided interactive content, with a minimum 70 hours made up of work experience in a club environment. At least 84 hours of the minimum 120 hours will be spent on the pitch.

Study visits to a club football environment can be included as a top-up to the learning to enhance the participants’ competence. Study-visit hours are in addition to the minimum 120 hours of education.

Four pillars of the UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma

The specialised goalkeeper coach

- Working with and understanding goalkeepers of different cultural backgrounds, levels of maturity and ability
- Creating a high-performance culture and environment
- Working as an integrated member of the coaching/management team
- Working closely with other support staff to enhance the team’s performance strategy
- Understanding and supporting technical and tactical planning and how it affects the actions and role of the goalkeeper in game situations
- Guiding the club’s goalkeeper development and performance strategy
- Working closely with support staff to create an effective recruitment plan

The goalkeeper

- Providing an annual periodisation plan to ensure the correct development and maintenance of goalkeepers in short, medium and long-term schedules
- Providing an effective training environment to build or maintain the performance level of the goalkeeper as part of a successful team
- Establishing an appropriate environment to help individual goalkeepers develop strategies to achieve their own personal performance objectives
- Providing effective opportunities for the goalkeeper to gain sufficient playing opportunities during matches
- Dealing with each goalkeeper’s support networks

The course prepares coaches for life in the professional gameGetty Images

The training environment

- Turning plans into a positive practical training environment based on the needs of the team (reality-based learning)
- Conducting training sessions suitable for achieving high levels of performance
- Helping goalkeepers to build and maintain their own individual physical and psychological performance levels
- Analysing the goalkeeper’s actions during the game, to understand and measure performance levels
- Conducting post-evaluation of technical and tactical training sessions to make positive adaptations to future plans

The match

- Preparing the goalkeepers to perform effectively during competition schedules
- Supporting the management team as and when requested
- Using the match as an evaluation and learning tool

How do I enrol for a UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma?

Contact your national football association for the latest course information, availability and eligibility.