Last Line Keeper Success!

Well done to LL keeper Jamie Sneddon for his efforts in helping Hearts U12 win the Foyle Cup in Ireland this year.

It couldn't have gone much better for Jamie as he performed breathtaking heroics during the quarter final and the semi final which both went to penalties. Jamie saved four penalties over the course of both shoot-outs ensuring their progress to the final where they beat a strong Wolves side 4-1

The Foyle Cup attracts a attention from a host of scouts, including some of the top Premiership teams.

Well done Jamie!

Summer Academy - Day 5 Review

The final day of the Summer Academy started with the keepers working on a review of the various topics they had covered throughout the week. Each coach had selected their own batch of drills and coaching points they wished to cover in this first hour and each keeper is sure to have honed their skills for the start of the new season!

Coaches Challenge Score -
Keepers 3 - Coaches 2

Somehow the impossible became possible on the last day of the coaches challenge. Crowds has gathered to see final day of the much heated coaches challenge 2009. Due to a technicality, the coaches made the choice of which challenge was to be the decider. Naturally they opted for what they felt is their strongest...the 2 minute challenge.

First to defend the goal were the coaches, making several excellent saves. Lapses in concentration began to show through as a quick 2 extra goals were scored right at the blow of the whistle. Keepers score = 5

After the rotation, the keepers needed to keep the score below 5 in order to win. With the crowd fully behind the keepers, it spurred them on to make some breathtaking saves. In the dying seconds, coaches were on 4, and needed just one more goal to level it. Shot after shot was saved by the keepers, resulting in a full time score of keepers 5 - coaches 4

A post match interview with the coaches spokesperson indicates shock of the defeat -

From day 1 the coaches felt they were the stronger team. This loss is certainly hit them hard, and may result in some of them considering their options for the future.

Congratulations to the keepers for their well deserved victory.

Photos from the final day can be seen by clicking here.

Summer Academy - Day 4 Review

(Due to technical difficulties, this is a late post)

Thursday saw the keepers working on the final 2 coaching topics of the week, distribution (from hands & feet) and reaction saves. As young goalkeepers progress onto playing full 11 a side, mastering distribution is a key skill. A goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his/her feet is a big asset to any squad. Not only is a goalkeeper the last line of defence, he/she is the first line of attack.

Coaches Challenge Score -
Keepers 2 - Coaches 2

Today the coaches showed exactly why they have been favourites since Day 1. Sublime finishing & world class saves made light work of a surprisingly lackluster keepers side. That result means we go into tomorrow with it all square. 1 more challenge, the decider, taking place on the last day of the camp.

Who will take home the glory of the much cherished title - Coaches Challenge Winners, Coaches or Keepers? Find out tomorrow!

Day 4 photos can be found by clicking here

Summer Academy - Day 3 Review

The Last Line goalkeeper coaching week reached its halfway point today on a very sunny Wednesday afternoon.

Topics of the day included; dealing with crossed balls & 1v1 situations. It is important to remember that a goalkeeper is very rarely going to face the exact same situation twice. The ball is going to be flighted in at a slightly different angle when it is crossed, each attacker will react differently in a breakaway situation. It is up to the individual goalkeeper to practice building upon the proper technique taught by the coaches and apply it in his/her live games.

As the saying goes - Practice makes permanent, so ensure your training incorporates the correct technique as this will stop bad habits forming.

Coaches Challenge Score -
Keepers 2 - Coaches 1


Statisticly it SHOULDN'T of happened. The odds were heavily stacked in the coaches favour; age, experience, adaptabiliy, agility, intellegence & good looks...

The keepers went first. They managed to score a total of 2 points. This underwelming amount seemed too good to be true for the coaches as they stepped up. Maybe it was a change in the wind direction, or some unknown outside influence, but the coaches scored only 1 point.

This means the keepers take the lead for a second time. The confidence of the coaches has certainly taken a knock, and outside sources claim they were spotted perfecting their strikes till 9pm tonight in anticipation for tomorrow's challenge. Watch this space!

More fantastic photos from today can be found if you click here

Daily report: items left behind -
1 x Star Wars 'Chewie' t-shirt
1 x Hearts Umbro top

Summer Academy - Day 2 Review

The sun was shining for the second day of Last Line's Summer Academy 2009.

Today's topics included; speed, agility & quickness, along with diving saves (always a favourite).

Important lessons are to be taken away from today's session, most notably the benefits of keepers being quick on their feet. Watch a professional goalkeeper's daily training regime and you will be sure to see him/her constantly working on quick movement around the goal.

Coaches Challenge Score -
Keepers 1 - Coaches 1

After yesterday's upset, it was business as usual for the coaches in what was a comfortable victory in the event, 6 shot challenge. Reports from the sidelines suggests there is a 'nervous tension' in the keeper's camp. The coaches will be looking to use this to their advantage going into tomorrow's challenge, the LEGENDARY 'Path to Peffermill'.

Some fantastic photos from day 2 can be found by clicking here.

Daily report: items left behind -
1 x Lonsdale waterproof jacket (navy blue)
1 x Last Line waterbottle

Summer Academy - Day 1 Review

Monday the 3rd of August kicked off the first day of our Summer Academy 2009.

31 goalkeepers were in attendance at the fantastic Peffermill Playing Field facilities.



The day started with a very entertaining group warm-up lead by Last Line's very own 'entertainment warm-up expert', Coach John. Shortly after the groups split and were coached on handling and positioning around goal. These topics were worked on for the majority of the day, which allowed keepers the opportunity to hone there skills around penalty box.

Coaches Challenge Result -
Keepers 1 - Coaches 0

The first coaches challenge resulted in a SHOCK DEFEAT for the coaches in Monday's event - Crossbar Challenge. SuperKeeper of the Day, Robbie D, managed to strike the crossbar, giving the keepers 2 bonus points. Even heroics from Coach Brian (AKA 'The Crossbar King') weren't enough to equal the match, resulting in a narrow win for the keepers! It goes without saying, today's result will only INCREASE the coaches' hunger to be overall Coaches Challenge winners for the week!

Day one photos can be found by clicking here

Daily report: items left behind -
1 x Hibernian cap
1 x Yellow Zapkam goalkeeping top
1 x Green Last Line T-shirt