Goalkeeping
The goalkeeper is arguably the most important position on the field. A goalkeeper can win a game with one brilliant save or become the scapegoat with a mistimed dive. The nature of the position requires Technic, Tactical Knowledge, agility,
speed, athleticism, confidence, bravery and good communication skills. Communication skills so important for the keepers, there is a saying "It's not how many shot you saved it's how many shot prevented by communicating"
For decades, goalkeepers simply blended into the regular practice sessions with very little attention being provided to the goalkeepers specific needs. Goalkeepers are very different from outfield players and must be trained accordingly. Goal keepers do not get physically tired like field players but they get tired mentally, more then a field players. Specialized training is needed for specialized positions. Goalkeepers must be train to be mentally strong and able to deal with whatever comes their way.
Goalkeepers deal with "WHAT IS" not "WHAT IF"
The role of the goalkeeper has changed more than any other position in recent years. With the introduction of the back-pass rule and changes of tactical side of the game, goalkeepers are now required to be as comfortable as outfield players with the ball at their feet. They touch the ball with their feet three times more then with their hands.
Goalkeepers are the last line of defense. They should think like sweeper backs and use the full range of the defensive third of the field.
Goalkeepers are the first line of attack. Quality distribution is vital for counter-attacking. Keepers must possess a wide range of distribution skills in the area of kicking and throwing.
Communication between a goalkeeper and the team is critical for good organization. Whether it be setting up a defensive wall or calling for a high ball, the goalkeeper must be commanding, confident and clear. Bravery is a pre-requisite to play in goal at any level. Unlike outfield players, there are rarely second chances to win the ball in a one v one situation.
The Foundation of Communication
How do you make your job as a keeper easier on as well as off the field? The answer is to communicate effectively. On the field the keeper is the most important person with the vision to see the offensive attack and most importantly on defense, the counter attack. By communicating effectively a keeper can improve defensive organization of the entire team and initiate the attack thus handling fewer shots and resulting in less goals.
The role of the keeper is that of a leader. A leaders voice and language must be firm, spoken with conviction, and specific; never wavering or panicky. A keeper that speaks softly sends a message that he or she is unsure or lacks confidence. A keeper that screams and yells with a panic stricken voice sends a message of weakness to the apposing team and sends chaos through the defending team.
Communication can be two forms: verbal and non verbal. Verbal communication should take the form of simple and very specific phrases. Anything more than three words is missed by the defenders. One word instructions are most effective. Non verbal is simply hand gestures.
Non verbal could be in the form a point to open player, the number of players needed in a wall shown by fingers, or the wave of the hand to push players up when distributing the ball
Keeper - Not keep. A cop doesn’t yell stop it is the Pol! It just isn’t effective enough. You need that second syllable. This the most important word in the keeper dictionary. It must be said with confidence and loud enough for the stands to hear you. This tells the team that the keeper is committed to the ball. This tells the attacker that the keeper is coming and he is in for it. The keeper call must be shouted prior to leaving the line. Again it is a warning and it will also tell the closest defender off the ball that they need to get back and cover the net.
Mark - Who is Mark? Sometimes I hear keepers call his name once or multiple times in a panic: Mark Mark Mark. What does that tell a defender? Does it give a specific instruction or location? The who has so and so..... question also kills me. That doesn’t tell anything either. If calling you defenders name and a point to the open player doesn’t do the trick then assign the mark to a defender. Field players are classic for saying “he wasn’t my man” but he had to belong someone. Whether it is a middle fielder running down the wing, a stopper pushing up into the attack, or a set piece such as a corner the keeper has to dictate responsibility.
The keeper should say with conviction “Jay, 10, left”; “Jim stay middle”; “Jeff front post”; “Jack back post”; “John, step, 8”.
Back - Is used to indicate that the keeper is an option. The keeper should also point to the area outside the goal mouth were the ball should be played. Yelling back to a defender for a marking instruction creates confusion when it is also used in another manner.
Drop - “Ken drop” This would tell Ken that he is up too far. Wall - In direct or indirect situations the keeper must call “Wall” and the number of people in the wall. When positioning the wall, again short and sweet: “Two steps left”
Out - To catch the lazy striker off sides moving the defense quickly out is effective when the ball is cleared. Moving the defense quickly allows less space and time for the attacking team to organize anything substantial. This also helps eliminate a screen by a defender or a poor deflection into the net. Careful not to call out or push up too soon on corners! When the ball is cleared out of danger or there isn’t a one time shot threat then release your players off the post by calling out.
Outside - Indicates to the defender with the ball to take the ball outside rather than turning it into a player or pressure. Outside communicates that there is no option inside.
There a terms and commands unique to each keeper. The important thing is that the command is spoken with a firm confident voice, concise, specific, and understood. On the flip side, don’t over do it. Communicate effectively to organize the field but don’t talk so much that it becomes a ringing in the ears of the field players. Too much can be counter productive.
Coaching the Goalkeeper
Most of the coaches will stand on the halfway line or midfield to coach the defensive unit from out to in.
Coaches, should try sometimes to coach, through the goalkeeper position from in to out by standing at or behind the goal. Organize the defensive unit with goalkeeper, back line and even midfield.
This is a must for any coach to train/coach a goalkeeper. As the coach can feel, and see the field through their eyes and correct their positioning, tactical decisions more appropriately
It is also of paramount importance that you understand how quality technique is developed. "Practice does not make perfect" rather "practice makes permanent." This holds true for both good and bad training. The quantity of practices must never be more important than the quality of practices.
Keep your sessions simple, intense and short. To reach a level of technical perfection, the technique must be isolated and performed until it becomes habit.
Three important components should be applied when training your keepers.
1. Repetition:
Repetition is important in developing the motor memory patterns to enable the goalkeeper to execute each
technique automatically, without thinking, so this becomes an ingrained habit. The practices should be designed to ensure that goalkeeper is getting as many touches on the ball as possible.
2. ConsistentQuality:
Repetition can be a dangerous thing if the skill is being rehearsed incorrectly. The mechanics involved in each execution of the technique must be accurate and consistent. Aim for an 80% success rate. The coach must be
the facilitator in ensuring that poor technique is detected early and precise information is provided to the goalkeeper to correct the problem. The coach must know the mechanical movements involved in each goalkeeping technique
to be able to correct those techniques.
3. Explosive Movements:
As soon as possible the goalkeeper must practice the technique at a speed that simulates match play. Slow practices will develop slow goalkeepers and up-tempo practices will develop fast and explosive goalkeepers. Never sacrifice quality for speed when practicing techniqu