Coach Andre Luciano
Playing Experience:
• Indiana University: Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year
• Yavapai College: ACCAC First Team, NJCAA Goalkeeper of the Year, Inductee to NJCAA Soccer Hall of Fame
College placement expert for SRUSA. “A” Lic 30yrs coach and recruiter USL, NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, & Youth
• Former Head Women’s Coach Northern Arizona University
• Former Head Men’s Coach Yavapai College
• Former Assist Women’s Coach University of Arizona
• Former Assist Women’s Coach Utah State University
• Former Assist Women’s Coach Washington State University
• Former Assist Women’s Coach Indiana University
• Former Coach / College Placement Director LV Surf Soccer Club
• Former Coach Players Soccer Club
• Former Coach Flagstaff Soccer
• Former Coach ODP; Washington, Arizona, Nevada
Goalkeepers: It’s not the gloves or shoes that you wear. It’s your ability to pick up the line, flight, trajectory of the ball as it is released off of a foot and make the proper adjustments. Sight, neuro processing , reaction. Add physics and geometry to the mix as well.
Time to face the reality that the Transfer Portal and the Covid extra year is having a deep impact on recruiting. It is a trickle down situation that is only going to get worse. Having people help you navigate that, by communicating directly to coaches is important.
It’s a complicated system that is impacting the way recruiting is being handled. Mid majors are looking for the fall outs from P5’s, D2’s are picking up the pieces from the mid majors etc…So the 7% is actually not more like 4% that get recruited at 4 yr schools.
Goalkeepers: I took pride in my fitness and made it a point that my conditioning was on the same level as field players. You have a responsibility to demonstrate you are the best overall athlete on the field and most important player. Be elite.
Goalkeepers: We watch the effort you put out in training. The GK that makes an attempt at every shot shows me that they have pride in the jersey they wear and will do everything in their power to keep their team in the game. That’s typically my starting keeper
Goalkeepers: Presence. Such an under utilized word when describing the position. You can feel it when looking at a great goalkeeper. The command of the box, the organization and communication, the quality of their positioning and saves and their distribution. It Matters.
Fitness exams serve a purpose if you are trying to assess the baseline numbers for incoming freshmen in terms of peak velocity, heart rate, and VO2 max. For returning players it is a way to measure where they are today based on where they left.
A good strength and conditioning staff along with a medical staff will be able to analyze the data and tell a coach what is an individual’s and team’s max load based on data that is collected. The PRS is another great tool that is less invasive.
Watched another circus training video for a goalkeeper last night. So many sticks, wires, harnesses, in the video I swear I was at Circus Circus watching the center casino act. If you are making a highlight film just show me if they can move and catch a ball on a shot or cross.
Goalkeepers: For you it’s personal. Your name is attached to W/L’s and Goals Against Averages. It starts with training. What you accept in training will be what you accept in games.
Recruits: Just because you want to go to that school it doesn’t mean you are going to be recruited to play there. Regardless of club affiliation or league. For a college coach it has to fit THEIR need, not yours unfortunately. So keep your options open.
I was told I was not good enough to play Division I soccer during my senior year. The coaches were right in that moment in their assessment. Didn’t take it personally. 1 gap year and 2 years of @NJCAA_Soccer changed that honest evaluation into you are absolutely ready for D1.
In the end 99% of all players will not be a professional athlete, but will be a professional in another arena. Even at major programs. So choose the school that best fits your personality and be realistic about your end goals.