026: Soccer Players First with George Kostelis

As the associate head coach of the Rhode Island Rams and a staff goalkeeping coach for United Soccer Coaches, George Kostelis has trained his fair share of goalkeepers, and educated even more coaches. In today’s episode, he talks about the necessity of goalkeepers being complete soccer players.

George’s playing career was highlighted by three all-conference seasons at the University of Hartford and a professional stint in Greece. He has followed that up with head, assistant and goalkeeping coaching experience across New England, primarily at the university level.

George discusses his own development as a goalkeeper, his coaching journey, this season’s Rhody Rams, and his commitment to educating coaches. He also talks about the United Soccer Coaches’ goalkeeper training programs, which he coaches at the Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Advanced National stages.

A big part of the episode is dedicated to training keepers as soccer players first – an approach that George emphasizes for goalkeeper development. He talks specifically about training them to properly strike a ball, focusing on goal kicks in particular.

Special thanks to George Kostelis for joining me!