Goalkeeper Talk

No matter where you are in your goalkeeping career, there are some things that are essential to incorporate into your training & matches in order to continue to develop as a keeper. Below are some pointers on goalkeeper topics that need to be worked on regularly.

The Essentials List

• Footwork
• Handling
• Angles
• Balls at feet
• Crossed balls
• Agility
• Communication 

This is by no means a definitive list. Each topic will be outlined briefly. Looking at each in depth would require pages of their own!

Footwork

The foundation on what all good goalkeeping is built upon. I remember hearing this quote from a fellow coach -

Good feet lead to good hands, but good hands do not lead to good feet

In other words if you can work on developing fast feet, you get yourself into the correct position to make the save less difficult. Working exclusively on your hands and not considering your feet is ultimately hurting your development.

Get yourself some cones or a speed ladder and focus on developing good technique and speedy feet! Also there is a quick couple of footwork drills you can read in the forums.

Handling

Nothing satisfies a defender, manager and football fan more than seeing his goalkeeper make a comfortable save stick to his hands. It is another foundational topic that requires perfection early on in one’s career. I will be making a post covering more depth about what makes ‘good hands’. For now it is important to remember the ‘goalkeeper set position’ (sometimes known as the ready position)

Some pointers on the set position -

• Feet shoulder width apart
• Knees slightly bent
• Weight forward (remember the rhyme – Keep your nose over your toes)
• Hands in a neutral position around your wieghst area
• Eyes fixed on the ball

We are all built differently, therefore there isn’t an exact set position that every goalkeeper should follow. I would read the pointers and try implementing them and notice how your body naturally reacts to them.

Angles

Some will argue angles are more important than good handling (I say they are all important). Getting yourself into the correct position in anticipation for a shot is crucial to making the save. During a televised match, you will often hear commentators say “That was a comfortable save for the keeper”. What was comfortable about it? Mostly the fact the goalie has excellent positioning at all points during the game. He doesn’t want to be diving for every shot, making it more difficult than it needs to be.

For a more in depth look, check out the goalkeeper angles post from the forum (including diagrams!)

Balls at feet

If you cannot pass, you cannot play football

The above mantra has never been so true for goalkeepers. At the top level, a keeper is required to play sweeper with the ball at his feet more often than being called upon to make a save.

I remember reading a study that followed professional goalkeepers and measured every touch of the ball they had over the course of a season. Apparently 70% of all touches keepers make are with their FEET! Just watch a game of football, pass backs are frequent and a great source to relief the pressure off the defence (if done correctly!).

Furthermore, goal kicks are an integral part of being able to use your feet. There is a section in the Goalkeeper Talk forum about improving goal kicks. Also there is some great drills to work on a keeper’s first touch. I suggest you check them out.

Crossed Balls

Dealng with crossed balls is an entire skill set on its own. Conceeding corners is a frequent occurence. A goalkeeper who is able to catch a crossed ball cleanly is an asset to his team. It reduces pressure and can lead to building counter attacks.

It is a topic I think deserves a post of its own. I will leave you with one tip I reccomend that you can begin working on straight away.

Increase your vertical jump

Research plyometrics. Simply put, these include jumping, springing, dymanics thrusts and long jumps etc. Any exercises that incorporates explosive legs strength. I’ve seen shorter keepers with great reach (higher than taller keepers). It comes down to plyometrics. It is key.

Agility

This leads me nicely onto agility. Also known as diving, it is what goalkeepers are famous for. Being able to dive effectively comes down to good technique and leg strength. How do you achieve this? Practise. If you make over 100 diving saves over the course of the week, when the weekend match arrives, the next diving save is totally routine and nothing special. It just happens.

Look out for a post shortly on diving, including some tips on getting extra reach.

Communication

Don’t be fooled at this being placed bottom of the ‘essentials list’. A silent keeper is almost useless at the top flight. A goalie has the best view of a game compared to any other player on the field. It is your duty to communicate to your defence. Where are the threats? Are there any unmarked players? Are strikers starting to drift off and find space?

Communication is more than just a ‘Keeper’s ball!’ shout when taking a cross. It is about making teamate’s lives easier by giving them useful instructions that will help them complete their job.

1 key to remember with communication – Every shout must be short and susinct. Let them know with as few words as possible.