- 2017 Highlights
Personal Statement
My name is Noah Rickman, and I am a junior at Milton High School in Milton, WI. I have played soccer since I was four years old, and am currently the starting goalie for the high school boys varsity team since the 2015 season. Throughout my intensive training and consistent learning as a goalkeeper, I have found that a sound philosophy about the goalkeeping position is crucial for success. Goalkeepers must focus on the four major components of goalkeeping: technical, tactical, psychological and physical training. Because a strong soccer team starts with an excellent goalie, I have developed an understanding of all the physical, technical, physiological, and tactical skills needed to compete at the highest level possible in the athletic arena as a solid keeper.
I have worked with specific athletic programs that have continuity from the very beginning stages through the tactical stage allowing me to develop continually to form a solid foundation in the keeper position. The training and learning process in soccer began when I started soccer at the age of four. Since then, I have experienced basic stage developmental programs aimed at encouraging athletic, social, and moral values as well as improving the specific needs and skills of a goalkeeper. Having played goalkeeper continually since I was in fourth grade, I have found that throughout my longitudinal experience as a goalkeeper, it is crucial to develop key skills such as acquiring the basic knowledge of body coordination needed to play the specific and specialized position of Goalkeeper through a repetition of technical skills advancing from basic movements of Goalkeeper to more advanced techniques needed to compete at a higher level, understanding and being able to execute the rules and fundamental strategies of the position of Goalkeeper, learning the specific techniques and theories needed to play Goalkeeper at a top notch level, how movement and coordination of the body in such a manner as to play at the highest level of the sport, and learning sportsmanship and a sense of fair play through interaction with the competition and be able to interact with fellow players in a competitive yet fair manner.
My technical skills as a solid goalkeeper have meant mastering diving saves (low, middle and high balls), breakaway saves (1vs.1), distribution, goal kicks, drop kicks, punts, throwing, catching, shot saving, redirecting, deflecting, crossing, boxing, positioning (angle of play), reflexes/reactions, stance & parrying and ball mastering. However, a powerful goalkeeper must also master tactical skills in order to push themselves and their team towards mastered success of the game. Tactical skills that I have worked hard to develop are diving saves, organizing the defense, breakaway saves, pass back situations, angle plays and positioning, restarts (setting up walls), reading the game, communication, starting positions, decision making, knowledge of laws of the game, Initiating attacks and counterattack, establishing time, Sweeper-Keeper tactics, reading the attack/anticipation and knowledge of defender roles (1st, 2nd, and 3rd defender).
I believe that what sets me apart from other goalkeepers is my knowledge and skilled work as a captain and integration of the psychological component of the position of keeping. For example, a crucial set of personality traits and actions I have learned to develop as a sound keeper is leadership, communication, confidence, self control, courage, training in ethics and habits, attitude, coachable, motivate, dealing with pressure (both success & failure), consistency, positivity, maturity & poise, self-analyzing, focused, mentally stimulated, and hard working. When matched with mental soundness, my physical abilities make for a formidable player. I have solid flexibility, coordination, footwork mobility, pressure training, strength and ability, vertical/lateral jumps, power development and proper ability to warm-up and cool-down.
Lastly, as a truly dedicated goalkeeper, I have made it my goal to develop an excellent sense of community by teaching and instilling basic soccer values and morals to children through my efforts as a referee for the local youth soccer programs and an assistant coach for the Milton Redhawks U6 coed soccer team. I have also attended many innovative and professional soccer camps including the Nike Vogelsinger camp at Carthage College and the German Fit Camp in the 2015 season. Moreover, I have played indoor soccer as the starting keeper for several different leagues over the past six years with players/leagues several years older than I am. The Milton High School's team’s philosophy is to utilize the goalkeeper and keep the ball in the defensive third, in doing so I have developed a good first touch and nice crisp passes. Playing in college has always been a dream of mine and I would love the opportunity to test myself at the next level.
