American goalkeeper takes advantage of Joël Bats’ lessons
Goalkeeper Evan Bush is having himself quite the season thus far. The American leads the league with 75 saves, and has managed five shutouts, tied for third in the league. But beyond the statistics, the ‘keeper has made some great saves in extremely key moments during the course of the season, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed with his teammates.
Some of it stems from having a different training routine in the gym, although a lot of it is a result of the relationship he’s built with goalkeeping coach Joël Bats.
“My French got a lot better,” joked Evan Bush. “But in all seriousness, we meshed well from the start. On the training field, I think he’s been fantastic. He’s very intense. He expects focus and intensity in every training session, and that’s something I’ve always expected of myself too.”
Bats was a player himself – spending most of his career in Ligue 1 with Auxerre and a PSG of another era, while being regularly called up by France – before spending 17 years coaching Lyon’s goalkeepers. As far as pedigree goes, not many can match the former French international.
“He provides a bit of an old school approach,” added Bush. “So there’s not as many mechanisms, mannequins, or hurdles on the field. It’s strictly using your footwork to get into the same positions you do in a game. If you can take what you do in a game and put it in training and vice-versa, that’s the most beneficial thing that you can do in a training session.”
Changes in the gym
Other than the training sessions on the pitch, Bush has made some altercations to his gym routine as well. The Impact goalkeeper has always integrated the gym into his training, although he’s adjusted the nature of his exercises this year to put the focus on some of the things he and Bats discussed.
“We had a lot of interest in making my footwork quicker,” added Bush. “I feel quicker around the box, just from being able to move. A lot of that also comes from how I’ve handled my body this year. I’ve leaned out a little bit more.”
Bush has taken the focus away from heavy lifting and upper body strength in his routine, instead concentrating on exercises that would increase the overall quickness in his game.
“I’ve focused primarily on stuff that makes me quick and explosive,” said Bush. “It makes no sense doing heavy squats, and then trying to be quick, agile, and light on my feet. There would be no correlation there. I had to adjust, and in many ways, it’s been easier for me to take some stuff out of the gym, as opposed as adding more stuff into it.”
Progress in the goalkeeping position
The Impact started with four goalkeepers in the squad this year, with Evan Bush being named number one from the start. Although none of the other goalies have seen playing time yet this year, the progression each goalie experienced thus far is visible for head coach Rémi Garde.
“I’m happy with the progression of all four goalies in general,” said Garde. “Evan took it upon himself to be the leader, but behind him, they’re pushing and they’re working well too. I’m not really surprised, because I know Joël, and that’s why he’s here.”
