Sep
11
2010
Another goalkeeping blunder has been become a hit on YouTube. The keeper in question is Moroccan, Khalid Askari. Here it is –
It’s not even worthy of being called a mistake. It’s just sheer stupidity brought on by being totally caught up in the moment. Bad times! 
Aug
17
2010
It was bound to happen, at least one keeper was going to make a glaring error on the first week of the premiership. Even so it still didn’t make it any easier to watch (especially if happened to be an Everton fan!). Poor Tim Howard let the ball slip out of his grasp for a straightforward finish. If you haven’t seen it, here it is -
What can we goalies learn from this?
YOU HAVE 2 HANDS FOR A REASON!
Now maybe he was using his other hand as protection. But look at the end result, disaster.
ALWAYS KEEP TWO HANDS ON THAT BALL
That isn’t the first time I’ve seen goalkeepers cradle the ball in one arm and in my opinion the ones who get away with it unscathed are LUCKY!
GO EARLY, BUT DON’T RUSH
I also believe Tim was so concerned about releasing the ball early it led to that mistake. Would an extra half second of made much of a difference to Everton attack? Probably not, but it sure as hell would have made a BIG difference to the end result in this game. Remember to take a beat to compose yourself otherwise things like THAT can happen.
Jul
27
2010
Below is a quick video with a few tips you may not immediately consider to improve your goalkeeping. Most of us understand the importance of the training aspects of goalkeeping, but sometimes neglect other areas.
Even if you make a 1 percent increase on your goalkeeping skills, that could make the difference between reaching amateur level vs full professional.
May
30
2010
If you don’t know who Jörg Butt is, he is the current Germany number 1 and plays in goal for Bayern Munich. He will be wearing the Fangmaschine Supersoft South Africa Glove released by Uhlsport, along with a selection of other world cup goalkeepers.
This is to support the WE TAKE ACTION project which aims to supports aids orphans in Africa. Obviously Uhlsport will be concerned with their bank balance before anyone else’s, but it’s nice to see positive approach with ethics. And if nothing else, it draws attention to a worthy cause.
Roll on World Cup 2010!
May
9
2010
If you are a goalkeeper…and haven’t had a chance to play the immensely enjoyable game of goalie wars…I’d class you as a deprived!
There are many variations on the rules but the basics are – 2 goals, 2 goalkeepers, 2 minutes to score as many goals into each other. Endless supply of balls…any method can be used to score. Click here for more on the rules.
So what makes it so worthwhile for a goalkeeper? It involves you going freestyle with many gking skills. Handling, agility, striking the ball, reactions. Often during a training session, you can start going through the motions, not thinking too much about what you are doing. Goalie Wars forces you to use the best of your ability in a very short space of time.
Whether you are a goalkeeper or goalkeeper coach, I highly recommend incorporating this into an occasional training session
Mar
27
2010
An article from the Guardian website focuses on England’s current goalkeeper problem. I wanted to highlight a part of the article which I thought was something to consider -
It may seem illogical to blame James for an untimely bobble of the ball, but I believe we should, mainly because goalkeeping is an illogical business, a pseudo science that – despite some waffle about angles and big-making and wrist-firmness – is still bound up in an invisible world of aura and personality and luck-creation.
The writer is attempting to point out that goalkeeping training/coaching falls 2nd to ultimately having the personality (and luck) factor.
Obviously the writer has never been a goalkeeper, and fails to realise the only way you can build your confidence is through improving your ability. One cannot succeed without the other.
In other words, find the biggest, most confident loud-mouth you can, and put him in goals vs someone who has been goalkeeping training every week for the past 5 years. The loudmouth may have this illusive ‘personality’ the writer refers to, but there is no way he can outperform someone who’s been properly trained.
Common sense really…(but I suppose journalists need to sell papers…not talk sense!)
Mar
18
2010
I’m always a fan of random facts and interesting stories from around the globe. Furthermore I also love everything to do with goalkeeping. So the following site suits both my interests and is one I think everyone can enjoy visiting.
If you haven’t seen www.goalkeepersaredifferent.com yet, you are missing out on a thoroughly entertaining and unique look at goalkeeping. Websites about goalkeeping are few and far between, so it is a real pleasure to have access to one with such a rich amount of information. So what will you find on Goalkeepers Are Different?
- Profiles of some of the great goalkeepers throughout history (going as far back as 1910!!)
- The history of how the goalkeeping world has changed, from keeper’s jerseys, to the design of the goalposts
- Quirky facts such as keeper nicknames, goalscoring goalkeepers and bizarre goalie injuries
- An extensive recommended reading list of goalkeeping books
The bullet points really don’t do the site justice. It is huge, excellently researched and well put together.
So grab a cup of your favourite beverage, head over to Goalkeepers Are Different and read some fascinating insights into the most important position in football.
Mar
12
2010
Robbie Savage stated he’d like to try his hand at goalkeeping, hoping to use it as a way to get into the Wales squad (obviously tongue in cheek). This came off the back of his emergency call up to play between the sticks against Reading as their first choice keeper sustained injury. Savage states –
“I watch everything, where keepers go. If I had to play in the back four, I could, if I had to play up front, I could.”
Modesty not being one of Savage’s strong points, he then realises the nonsense he is actually saying and goes on to add –
“It is the most boring position in the world to be fair, isn‘’’t it?…It is horrendous.”
I real diamond of a speaker isn’t he? They say you have to be daft to be a goalkeeper…so at least Savage has ONE thing going for him with regards to his goalkeeping career.
Feb
22
2010
I’m talking about PHYSICAL pain! Maybe I will post about the psychological element of the goalkeeper later. For now it’s important to realise that taking a knock (especially to the head) can lead to affecting your positioning, strength and ability during a game. If you’ve played in goals before you will have had the experience of being knocked senseless for a brief moment, maybe when being challenged for a cross, or diving in at legs, or maybe doing this -
Have you ever had a paper cut and not felt it? Only until you look down and see the blood, suddenly it starts hurting? The reason is our brain can only focus on a certain amount of things at any one time. As you read this now, you probably aren’t aware of the feeling of your feet on the floor (except now you are because I just mentioned it). If we were aware of everything all the time, we’d end up going insane.
How does this apply to goalkeeping?
Your focus needs to only be on a few things. Where is the ball? How is my team’s positioning? How is my positioning? From those 3 questions you learn to command your defenders & track and move into position. So next time when you get that bang on the head, immediately your brain should jump to asking “Where the hell did the ball go?” & “Am I in the right position for the save?”. Getting into the ‘goalkeeper zone’ is very important & every professional keeper does it.
Feb
16
2010
I suggest everyone interested in goalkeeping read this blog post here. The article delves into the mind of Brad Friedel. He is an excellent goalkeeper and worthy of the praise & money he gets. Reading the blog post you can see he has had an attitude of a professional from day one. This is really required to reach the highest level in any given achievement. Luck certainly helps, but it is small stakes compared to the effort you need to exert if you wish to turn professional. Lets see him in action 