The goalkeeper performs a particularly important role in a soccer game. Goalkeepers have the unenviable task of being a team's last line of defense. He is responsible for keeping the ball out of his own net. In most cases. this is far easier said than done.
Physical Characteristics
Goalkeepers tend to share a common physical attribute in that they are often one of the tallest, if not the tallest, member of their team. It is rare for a goalkeeper to be shorter than 6 feet tall, although most are a few inches taller than this. However, there have been prominent short goalkeepers including Jorge Campos of Mexico, who stood at only 5 feet, 6 inches.
Attributes
Goalkeepers require a range of skills compared to the typical outfield player. Particularly important is agility. Goalkeepers need to be able to change positioning and body shapes quickly in order to react to fast changes in front of them. Quick reflexes are also crucial and goalkeepers should be able to perform reflex saves from the snap shots and point blank headers of attacking players, as well as to dive quickly in multiple directions.
Equipment
Goalkeepers typically wear a kit of different color from that of their outfield teammates. Goalkeeper jerseys tend to be long-sleeved with built in padding around the elbows to offer protection when diving. Goalkeepers tend to wear shorts, although they are permitted to wear padded goalkeeping trousers. Arguably, the most important part of a goalkeeper's kit are the gloves. Goalkeepers wear special padded gloves that protect against powerful shots, and help to grip and control the soccer ball. A goalkeeper's kit is completed by traditional soccer socks and shoes.
Key Techniques
Heading the list of key goalkeeping techniques are the catch, the palm and the punch. The catch involves a goalkeeper getting safely behind the trajectory of a high or low shot and saving it by keeping hold of the ball, and preventing attacking players from shooting again with a rebound. The palm is crucial in reacting to snap shots or deflections. These are often too unpredictable to catch. Being able to palm these away from the goal requires agility and fast reflexes. The punch nullifies the danger of crosses and high balls, focusing on clearing the danger upfield and away from a goalkeeper's area.
Distribution
As well as focusing on defending, goalkeepers also distribute the ball quickly to create attacking opportunities for their team. Goalkeepers must have excellent and accurate long-range kicking skills, must be able to pass to a specific player who may be as far as 60 meters away, and also to have long-range throwing skills to quickly distribute the ball to upfield players when kicking is not a safe option.
Member Comments