Welcoming Goalkeeper Coach Michael Kappas to SOS Q&As!
Michael Kappas, originally from Athens, Greece; has been involved in soccer for over 35 years! He has experience coaching players at every level and in 2021 was a coach at division 1 Old Dominion University.
He has been an incredible presence in the Virginia Rush Soccer staff/community as well as the Virginia Beach United staff. Coach Kappas has gone ahead and started his very own goalkeeper academy, MKG Acadamy! This academy has helped develop incredible goalkeepers in his area. MK is an essential mentor, coach, and developer in the soccer community.
MKG ACADEMY
Located in Tidewater Virginia, his academy has gained great traction. They are even offering international trips to Europe in partnership with Athens Goalkeeping Academy. He hosts goalkeeper clinics, individual trainings, and group trainings.
READ HIS INSIGHTS TO OUR SOS QUESTIONS BELOW!
For more information on his academy please follow the links below or email him at: mkgkacademy@gmail.com
MICHAEL KAPPAS Q&A
7 INCREDIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT GOALKEEPING!
1: What do you think are the best qualities that a goalkeeper should have?
“The best qualities a goalkeeper should have I think are leadership, confidence, and good communication skills.”
2: How important is having good foot skills, for a goalie?
“The position of goalkeeper has evolved so much over time that you are now the 11th man on the field. You should be equally as good with your feet as regular field players. “
3: When it comes to mentality, what is the main thing a goalie should strive to understand to succeed in this position?
” It’s okay to make mistakes. Mistakes happen no matter what position you play. Even though, mistakes as a goalkeeper can be more costly, it is a part of learning how to play the position.”
4: DURING a match what stands out to you when watching a keeper at the highest levels?
“In a match, what would stand out to me at high levels is how dominant is the goalkeeper in the air, what’s their composure like, do they make smart decisions with the ball at their feet.”
5: If a youth goalie has goals to reach higher levels, what is a piece of advice you would give them?
“Don’t ever let anyone who doesn’t believe in you determine your future as a goalkeeper. What’s important is that you grind every day to make yourself 1% better than you were yesterday.”
6: In preparation for the season, what are the top 3 things you would want your goalie to do?
“I would want to make sure their goalkeeper fitness is up to par, and their handling and distribution is clean. Work on technique and the basics. Mentally prepare.”
7: What do you recommend for goalies to do individually that would help set them apart from their competitors?
“I think a lot of athletes don’t take advantage their rest and recovery, especially the younger athletes. The stigma of working out 2-3 times a day every day for hours on end just isn’t healthy for the mind or body. Additionally, what would elevate them from their competitors is eating the right foods before and after training. Also, reading books for your personal growth, recovering, and good quality sleep is so important.”
Have any more questions you want him to answer? Just leave a comment below OR message us on any of our social media platforms!
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