06/13/19 – Field Hockey Goalkeeping Course Added to NFHS Learning Center

June 13, 2019 Athletic Department Blog Updates

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN (June 13, 2019) — “Coaching Field Hockey: Goalkeeping,” an online education course produced in partnership with USA Field Hockey, has been added to the available courses on the NFHS Learning Center at www.NFHSlearn.com.

“Coaching Field Hockey: Goalkeeping” is a sport-specific course that demonstrates the skills, techniques and tactics of playing the goalkeeper position in field hockey. As the last line of defense, goalkeepers require unique and supportive teaching and training.

“We’re excited to offer this professional development opportunity for field hockey coaches and look forward to expanding coaches’ knowledge of the game,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS director of educational services.

“Teaching, developing, motivating and including goalkeepers in training is an important part of team development and a common challenge, especially for coaches who have never played the position,” said Craig Parnham, USA Field Hockey director of coach education and learning. “This course focuses on the basic techniques and includes simple exercises to keep goalkeepers actively learning, involved and engaged.”

The goalkeeping course consists of five main units: “Equipment,” “Basic Principles of Positioning,” “Kicking Skills,” “Aerial and Glove Saves” and “Communication, Set Plays and Coaching Tips.” Throughout each unit, the course focuses on how a goalkeeper is a leader on the field and what can be done to make them better leaders.

“We’re looking forward to being able to have coaches learn more, in detail, about coaching the goalkeeper position,” Schuster said.

“USA Field Hockey and the NFHS created the ‘Coaching Goalkeeping’ course to support new and experienced field hockey coaches and the athletes they serve and inspire,” said Sally Goggin, USA Field Hockey national development director. “We recognize that trained and educated coaches provide a better, safer, more positive experience and are key to the continued growth of high school field hockey across the country.”

The NFHS and USA Field Hockey have also partnered for another NFHS Learning Center course titled “Coaching Field Hockey” that is scheduled to be released this summer.

“We are delighted to work in partnership with the NFHS to provide resources for coaches,” Parnham said.

Additionally, the “Coaching Field Hockey: Goalkeeping” course fulfills the sport-specific course criteria for obtaining NFHS Learning Center certifications as Accredited Interscholastic Coach (AIC) and Certified Interscholastic Coach (CIC).

After starting with two courses – Fundamentals of Coaching and First Aid for Coaches – in 2007 through the NFHS Coach Education Program, the NFHS Learning Center now offers 68 online courses – 33 of which are free.

In addition to “Coaching Field Hockey: Goalkeeping,” the NFHS Learning Center offers 26 other sport-specific courses. Courses are now available to students, coaches, parents, administrators, officials and performing arts/educators.

Since the launch of www.NFHSlearn.com in 2007, the NFHS has delivered more than 8.5 million courses.

This press release was written by Luke Modrovsky, a 2019 summer intern in the NFHS Publications/Communications Department. He is a senior sports management and communication studies major at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

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About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,500 high schools and 12 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.9 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.

About USA Field Hockey
USA Field Hockey is the national governing body for the sport of field hockey in the United States and is based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado. USA Field Hockey is a non-profit, membership-based organization with the following mission: Grow the Game. Serve Members. Succeed Internationally.

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