Goalkeeper Training

Specialist in Goalkeeper Performance
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About Me

Goalkeeper coach specialised in performance analysis and individual development. With an academic background in Sports Sciences and experience in competitive youth and senior contexts, I apply an evidence-based methodology to maximise athlete performance.

Francisco Mendonça
+5 Years of Experience
4 Clubs
+20 GKs Developed

Education & Research

Education

2026

Master's in Sports Coaching - Football Specialisation | Escola Superior de Rio Maior

Education

2026

UEFA C Licence | AF Leiria

Education

2024

Level 1 Data Analysis In Football | Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA)

Education

2024

Level 1 Performance Analysis In Football - Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA)

Education

2023

FAW Goalkeepers Award | FA Wales

Education

2023

Bachelor's in Physical Education and Sport | Universidade da Madeira

Conference

2022

XXIII National Sports Management Congress - Speaker

Seminar

2021

Sport and Science Seminar 2023 - Poster presentation "The Biomechanical Analysis of the Goal Kick in Football Goalkeepers"

Technical Experience

UD Santarém logo UD Santarém 2026

First Team Goalkeeper Coach

Planning and delivering the First Team goalkeepers' training sessions. Integrating the goalkeeper into the team's overall training dynamics, with a particular focus on the first phase of build-up play. Designing and continuously monitoring the players' individual development. Defining and overseeing a unified goalkeeper training methodology across all of the club's youth ranks. Match observation focused on identifying the opposition goalkeeper's patterns and vulnerabilities. Direct support to the coaching staff in detecting and decoding the opponents' tactical patterns. Contributing to the organisation of set pieces and optimising the goalkeeper's zone of intervention.

UD Santarém
IGP Scouting logo IGP Scouting Jan 2025 – Present

Goalkeeper Scout

Talent Identification and Scouting: Live and video observation of goalkeepers in competitive and training contexts, identifying high-potential profiles that fit the model of play. Performance Analysis: Detailed assessment of the technical, tactical, physical and mental dimensions, with a clear identification of strengths and areas for improvement. Scouting Reports: Writing rigorous, objective reports, delivering recruitment recommendations directly to the coaching staff and sporting direction. Database Management: Building and maintaining a structured database of the goalkeepers observed, tracking their development, performance metrics and report history.

Impact

Independently built and managed a detailed database of over 40 goalkeepers observed and categorised (Liga 3, Campeonato de Portugal and 1st District Division), tracking profiles for potential signings.

IGP Scouting
CD Fátima logo CD Fátima 2024 – 2026

First Team Goalkeeper Coach

Designed and implemented a club-wide goalkeeping methodology, leading the First Team training sessions and creating Individual Development Plans (IDPs) to maximise player performance. Integrated the goalkeeper into the team's tactical model, while supporting the coaching staff with comprehensive opposition scouting to explore collective patterns and opposition goalkeepers' vulnerabilities.

Impact

2nd best defensive record in the Portuguese National Championships — 2024/25 16 clean sheets, 8 consecutive — 2024/25 Team of the Year (IGP Scout and Das Oportunidades) — 2024/25

CD Fátima
NS Rio Maior logo NS Rio Maior 2023 – 2024

Head of Academy & U13–U17 Goalkeeper Coach

Directed the Goalkeeping Department, establishing the club's proprietary training methodology and implementing Individual Development Plans (IDPs). Ensured multidisciplinary alignment by acting as the primary liaison between the goalkeeping department, the coaching staffs and the club's other sectors.

Impact

Goalkeepers called up to the Santarém district squads.

NS Rio Maior
CD Nacional logo CD Nacional 2022 – 2023

U10–U13 Goalkeeper Coach

Planned and delivered position-specific goalkeeper training programmes for the U9–U13 development phases. Advised the coaching staff on the goalkeeper's tactical integration and carried out targeted opposition scouting to identify and exploit opposition goalkeepers' vulnerabilities.

Impact

31% increase in short goal-kick efficiency and integration of the goalkeeper as the first playmaker.

CD Nacional

Methodology

An integrated, evidence-based approach to high-performance goalkeeper training.

Specific Training

Structured sessions with pedagogical progression, focused on real match scenarios. Every drill is designed with tactical intentionality.

Performance Analysis

Detailed post-match and post-training video analysis, with quantitative and qualitative metrics. Individual reports with Power BI dashboards.

Individual Development Plan

Personalised IDP for each athlete, with measurable goals, evolution timeline and periodic assessments.

Opponent Analysis

Study of the opposing GK and the opposition's offensive patterns, preparing the athlete for specific scenarios in the next match.

Gallery

Training Videos

Real drills in training context, focused on match scenarios.

Francisco Mendonça

Are you already following me on Youtube?

Exclusive content on goalkeeper training, match analysis and much more.

Latest LinkedIn Posts

Reflections, analysis and content about goalkeeper training and performance.

Francisco Mendonça

Francisco Mendonça

Goalkeeper Coach · 16 Fev 2026

🧤⚽ O Departamento de Guarda-Redes do Centro Desportivo de Fátima promoveu, esta segunda-feira, 16 de Fevereiro, o Dia do Guarda-Redes, uma iniciativa que reuniu inúmeros jovens atletas dedicados a esta posição específica. Um especial obrigado aos misters Alexandre Carvalho, José Coutinho, João Martins, João Teixeira e Fábio Grazina por terem proporcionado um dia diferente repleto de diversão e aprendizagem aos Guarda-Redes do Centro Desportivo de Fátima.

CD FátimaDia do GR
Francisco Mendonça

Francisco Mendonça

Goalkeeper Coach · Jan 2026

Perception, Decision, and Action: A Continuous Cycle 🔄 Drill designed based on Non-Linear Pedagogy principles, focusing on the continuity of Goalkeeper actions: Offensive Organization ➡️ Controlling Space during Crosses ➡️ Offensive Transition. Key Task Points: ✅ Intentionality: The GK initiates build-up with a focus on searching for a passing line in the wide channels. ✅ Adaptability: The variability of the cross forces the GK to adjust their motor response in real-time. ✅ Fidelity: Maintaining visual information and temporal pressure ensures training representative of competition.

GoalkeeperDevelopmentGKUnionFootball
Francisco Mendonça

Francisco Mendonça

Goalkeeper Coach · Jan 2026

2025 ✅ 2026 🔜 A year filled with challenges, learning, and experiences. I'm motivated to approach 2026 with greater ambition.

2026Motivação
Free Resource

Performance Analysis Template

Ready-to-use Power BI dashboard to analyse goalkeeper performance. Match metrics, positioning and decision-making.

Contact

Interested in working together? Get in touch.