Jesse Z.

With Empire Keeping Academy, the athlete will receive the best goalkeeper training available today. I have trained athletes in soccer as young as 3 years old to adults. Wherever the athlete’s experience level is, we will make sure the athletes experience is positive. Our goal is not just to make goalkeepers better, but elite. We also strive to expose athletes who have never played the goalkeeper position before, to fall in love with the goalkeeper position. With our training program, the athlete will excel, understand and appreciate the goalkeeper position. It’s time to #LevelUp.

I have received my grassroots coaching license through USA Coaching, and am working toward my Class D license.

I have also received my Diploma-Goalkeeping Level 1 through United Soccer coaches. I am working towards my Level 2.

As I tell my athletes, we always have to strive to be better. Which is why I will always continue my soccer coaching education as the great game of soccer is ever changing.

As a child I played recreational soccer. I fell in love with the goalkeeper position early on. As an adult I played in many prestigious amateur soccer leagues in Los Angeles County. I was fortunate enough to play in leagues such as the Los Angeles Premiere League and California Soccer League. Playing for many adult clubs such as Ozzy’s Laguna FC and Cloverfield FC. Dominating the goalkeeper position with every team I played with, gave me the opportunity to be invited to a tryout for an MLS club. Within two years of playing amateur, I found myself in tryouts for the San Jose Earthquakes. Our goal and vision is to make every athlete who trains with Empire Keeping Academy, the best version of themselves.

When an athlete trains with Empire Keeping Academy, they will receive the complete package when it comes to overall goalkeeper training. There are two phases in our training program. Two training sessions per week along with one zoom training session.

- During the hands on training sessions, the athletes will go through dynamic warm-ups. These warm-ups will prevent injury and pertain to the type of training for the day. This allows the athlete to maximize their efforts during the training session.

- Every training session will include ball control, dribbling/touching, passing and some explosive movements to activate the fast twitch muscle fibers for better reflexes.

- The main focus of an any particular training session will change daily. There will be an emphasis on game like scenarios and skills needed by goalkeepers to dominate the position. (e.g., crosses, 1 v 1, low saves, high saves, positioning, diving, etc.)

- The second phase of the session will be an online zoom call. The athletes will be given assignments/homework to go over the following week. This is a crucial part of the training, as it allows us to breakdown positioning, real game scenarios and mindset of the goalkeeper. This phase combined with the physical training will increase and build the athletes goalkeeping IQ.