West Brom’s creative goalkeeper training drills with tennis balls are causing a stir

Championship side West Brom have introduced a "unique" training ground drill to test hand-eye coordination ahead of the new campaign.

After finishing ninth last season, the Baggies moved to appoint a new goalkeeping coach following the departure of Gary Walsh.

Marcos Abad has arrived at The Hawthorns after spending six years at recently-relegated Leeds United, where he worked with current West Brom manager Carlos Corberan.

And it hasn't taken the 37-year-old coach long to introduce his 'innovative' methods to first-team goalkeepers David Button, Alex Palmer and Josh Griffiths.

As you can see in the footage below, Abad attempts to improve reflexes by pinging tennis balls at the goal using a yellow bat/padel racket.

Here's how social media reacted to the footage.

One fan said: "Next level and new ideas will help the GKs grown massively," while another wrote: "It’s great having a GK coach that’s actually relevant to today's game and can actually move as well."

A third commented: "I really like the look of the new GK coach I have to say," and a fourth said: "Never seen nothing like this but brilliant coaching."

Some, however, were unconvinced by the session. One said: "No wonder Meslier couldn’t catch anything, this guy was throwing tennis balls at him."

Another added: "No wonder a proper sized football kept going under Meslier's hands."

Image credit: Twitter/@WBA

West Brom manager Carlos Corberan is a huge fan of Abad, who previously worked for Middlesbrough, Elche and Alcoyano. “I would like to welcome Marcos to the club,” Corberan said.

“I have worked with Marcos before for three years at Leeds and I know he shares my passion and enthusiasm for coaching and I know that will help us with our goalkeepers, as well as some other responsibilities that he will take on with my staff.

“This is an opportunity for Marcos and I to work together again, which I’m pleased about, as I know Marcos has the knowledge, experience and dedication to help us, specifically with our goalkeepers.”

Abad added: "I would like to thank Gary [Walsh] for all his hard work at the football club, and all the work we have done together. We have built a strong relationship that I will always appreciate.”

Image credit: Twitter/@WBA

Thoughts on the goalkeeper drill? Let us know in the comments.

Topics: West Brom, EFL Championship, Leeds United, Fan Reactions

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

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