There’s more to being a goalkeeper than just stopping shots. Here’s how they get there
- Written by: Weekend Times
A goalkeeper is unique.
They are often alone, defending a 7.32 x 2.44-metre space. The role can come with crushing pressure – one mistake can be crucial in such a
low-scoring sport, while blunders made by midfielders or forwards can be quickly forgotten.
However, a great effort can still help decide matches, including moments at this year’s World Cup such as:
Ronwen Williams (South Africa) shattering a six-decade World Cup record by completing 77 passes in a game against Canada
Cabo Verde’s Vozinha, at 40 years of age, making a stunning seven saves to keep a clean sheet against Spain
Orlando Gill (Paraguay) making a series of great saves including two penalties to send Germany crashing out.
A specialised role
Because of their unique role, a goalkeeper’s training is different from that of their teammates.
In the modern game, goalkeepers are both a “stopper” and an integral part of a team’s offence.
They are often a passing pivot – accepting passes back from defenders to reset or pivot the direction of the play with their passes out of the back third. In offence, the goalkeeper may be a pass distributor, using long kicks to well-placed teammates. Williams’ passing masterclass against Canada is an example of this.
Sometimes the goalkeeper will go into the midfield as a defensive “sweeper” (whose job is to “sweep up” loose balls on the last line of defence, and help launch counter attacks). The most striking example of this was during the 2014 World Cup when Germany’s Manuel Neurer left his line many times to intercept opposition passes.
At the elite level, goalkeepers may also need specialised psychological support, as failed stops and errors can have immediate, obvious consequences. Techniques to stay calm and refocus during a game include using positive self-talk, breathing techniques and visualisation.
The nature of the role means they can also go long periods without touching the ball, so techniques to maintain attention and focus are also needed.
Goalkeepers will often use mental reset rituals like tapping the cross bar, bouncing on their toes and tapping their gloves together. In addition they will try to stay engaged mentally by consistently yelling out tactical instructions to teammates.
How do they train?
Goalkeeper training focuses on three key areas:
developing specific body reaction speed and body control, so their reflexes are as sharp as possible and they can dive, jump and kick with precision
making correct decisions during the match that fit in with their team’s game plan
being able to read the play so they can continually adjust their position in relation to the ball, teammates and opponents.
Goalkeepers will typically have specialised coaching in addition to training with the team.
The specialised training involves stopping shots on goal from general play as well as from set pieces (free kicks, penalties and corners).
They practise this in drills that “fire” balls at the keeper from various angles and distances, and with varying spin and speed.
This type of practice is particularly relevant in learning to stop penalty kicks.
Read more: Can science decide penalties? How to win soccer’s most brutal test
However, this practice does not assist them in reading the play, which is vital.
Reading the play is often considered the most important element of goalkeeping because no matter how technically skilful the goalie is, if they make the wrong decision, their technical skill is unlikely to help. Practice and experience under pressure can build their mental representations of the game.
Increasingly, goalkeepers are involved in scenario-based training. This includes joining in team scrimmages (match simulation) and rehearsing key game moments, such playing out from the back, defending a breakaway or crosses into the box. This helps develop the goalkeeper’s game sense.
Goalkeeping practice has historically been commonly structured through drills removed from the context of game play. When this happens, goalkeepers are mostly practising without the complexity of the game and all of the related information they have to process and respond to during matches.
Coaches today are more likely to design game-like practice environments so goalkeepers learn to read the game when having to defend the goal, distribute the ball back into play or joining in on offense.
They also need to distribute the ball back into play from saves and goal kicks. When their team gains possession, the goalkeeper needs to be a genuine passing option.
Because of this, they must practice their kicking and ball control.
The role is changing
Goalkeepers used to be viewed as an “island” – someone isolated on the last line of defence who is there to just stop any shots coming their way.
But more and more, they are becoming more integrated with the rest of the team, in defence and attack.
Stopping shots will always be vital but so is reading the play and controlling and passing the ball to teammates.
While a bad mistake can haunt a goalkeeper, their efforts to stop shots and repel attacks can also help win matches – including World Cups.
Shane Pill does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
