By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
MORTONS GAP -- The offseason has not been a time of rest or relaxation for Centre College senior Aaron Arndt, but rather a period of improving and teaching youth.
Arndt, a goalkeeper and former Madisonville-North Hopkins standout, has been playing with the Cincinnati Kings of the Professional Developmental League as well as teaching camps in his spare time this summer.
On Thursday, Arndt spent the afternoon aiding goalies at Hopkins County Central.
One of Arndt's most important teaching principles is maintaining foot control.
"I always harp on footwork and knowing where you are at in the goal," he said. "If you have footwork, you know where you're at in the goal and don't have to make big saves. You can get your feet in front of the ball and you don't have to make any huge, diving saves.
"It's a lot easier on you, so really I just harp on footwork and hard work, too. You have to bring a good attitude every time. You have to train and be ready to get better every time you train."
Maintaining solid foot control did not come easing for Arndt, a 6-5, 220-pound goalie, though.
Arndt, a goalkeeper and former Madisonville-North Hopkins standout, has been playing with the Cincinnati Kings of the Professional Developmental League as well as teaching camps in his spare time this summer.
On Thursday, Arndt spent the afternoon aiding goalies at Hopkins County Central.
One of Arndt's most important teaching principles is maintaining foot control.
"I always harp on footwork and knowing where you are at in the goal," he said. "If you have footwork, you know where you're at in the goal and don't have to make big saves. You can get your feet in front of the ball and you don't have to make any huge, diving saves.
"It's a lot easier on you, so really I just harp on footwork and hard work, too. You have to bring a good attitude every time. You have to train and be ready to get better every time you train."
Maintaining solid foot control did not come easing for Arndt, a 6-5, 220-pound goalie, though.
"That's something I still work on today is foot speed and sprint speed, just my speed overall because getting used to the long frame, you can run long distances pretty well, but short distances, getting the feet moving," he said. "Still to this day, I do footwork drills before practice and after practice."
Arndt's large frame has helped to make him a successful player. During his junior campaign at Centre, Arndt started seven of his 17 games played, recorded six shutouts and made 54 saves.
Arndt said he was not always blessed with a big build, however.
"Middle school I was about normal size, then I think about freshman, sophomore year of high school, that's when I shot up," Arndt said. "I was like 'OK, you're going to be a goalie now. You're primarily a goalie. No more playing midfield or anything like that.'
"It took a little bit of getting used to, getting coordinated. It happens with big kids. I was blessed I guess with a pretty big frame for keeping."
Just as there are differences between the high-school level and college, Arndt said there are adjustments between college and playing with the Kings.
"The speed is a little bit faster, the PDL is a little bit above where I am in college," he said, "which is good because once the game is slowed down when I go back to Centre, it will be easier for me to read the game and see what is going on."
The collegiate play is more competitive though as the team gels and unites for common goals such as defeating rivals and capturing titles, Arndt said.
As his senior season at Centre approaches, Arndt said he feels ready for the responsibility as a veteran leader.
"It's really different because last year was my first year really (playing)," he said. "I started pretty much every game. I only got a few minutes my freshman and sophomore year, but playing with the Kings and playing a full season last year really helped out just being able to step up and take control of games, knowing what I was doing out there on the field in Centre's formation, the way we want to run the field."
Arndt, who is majoring in economics, said he would like to coach in the future and is trying to attain invites to some combines post-graduation, but may also pursue a master's in business administration. Arndt said he plans to conduct a similar camp to Thursday's at Central in the coming weeks at North.
Arndt's large frame has helped to make him a successful player. During his junior campaign at Centre, Arndt started seven of his 17 games played, recorded six shutouts and made 54 saves.
Arndt said he was not always blessed with a big build, however.
"Middle school I was about normal size, then I think about freshman, sophomore year of high school, that's when I shot up," Arndt said. "I was like 'OK, you're going to be a goalie now. You're primarily a goalie. No more playing midfield or anything like that.'
"It took a little bit of getting used to, getting coordinated. It happens with big kids. I was blessed I guess with a pretty big frame for keeping."
Just as there are differences between the high-school level and college, Arndt said there are adjustments between college and playing with the Kings.
"The speed is a little bit faster, the PDL is a little bit above where I am in college," he said, "which is good because once the game is slowed down when I go back to Centre, it will be easier for me to read the game and see what is going on."
The collegiate play is more competitive though as the team gels and unites for common goals such as defeating rivals and capturing titles, Arndt said.
As his senior season at Centre approaches, Arndt said he feels ready for the responsibility as a veteran leader.
"It's really different because last year was my first year really (playing)," he said. "I started pretty much every game. I only got a few minutes my freshman and sophomore year, but playing with the Kings and playing a full season last year really helped out just being able to step up and take control of games, knowing what I was doing out there on the field in Centre's formation, the way we want to run the field."
Arndt, who is majoring in economics, said he would like to coach in the future and is trying to attain invites to some combines post-graduation, but may also pursue a master's in business administration. Arndt said he plans to conduct a similar camp to Thursday's at Central in the coming weeks at North.
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