Playing goalie in soccer shifts between tense action where you are at the center of it all, and stretches where the action is at the opposite end of the field and you become more of a spectator. But when it is your time to handle shots heading toward your goal, adopting particular strategies, both for practices only and for games, should help give you the confidence you need to succeed in front of the net.
Taking Body Shots
Making a save by pulling the ball into your body and holding onto it eliminates the chances that the ball can roll into the goal or be knocked in by an opposing player. But taking body shots isn't easy. A simple strategy to use is to place your body in line with the shot no matter where it's coming from and no matter what the angle, rather than rely on your athleticism to jump or dive to knock shots away. Be up on your toes and ready to move or turn to line up your body with the shot. Once the shot comes in at your body, relax and pull the ball into your stomach. Keep a tight hold on the ball as you straighten up and keep it close to your chest.
Handling the Angles
The best way to play shots from all different angles in a game is to practice fielding those shots. An effective practice strategy is to set up soccer balls all around the 18-yard box and have teammates take turns shooting from those spots in fairly rapid succession. This technique will help you improve your reaction time and improve your ability to react when balls come in from certain distances and angles. Have your teammates occasionally dribble the ball from that spot around the 18-yard box, as if on a breakaway.
Force the Opponent's Hand, or Rather, His Foot
Elsewhere on the pitch, a defender can and should try to force offensive players to go a certain way with the ball. Making the player with the ball react to you is a good strategy. For goalkeepers, however, the opposite is true. Longtime goalkeeper coach Jeff Benjamin recommends against committing too early and instead reacting instead of acting when the ball is approaching the goal. Maintain a good position in front of the goal and force the opponent to decide where and when to shoot or pass. And while you're on heightened alert, ready to react, look for opportunities to take charge. A weak pass or a moment of indecision can be your chance to aggressively take control of the ball.
Diving
Sometimes diving is the only play you have on the ball, so knowing how to make the best of such a play is critically important. An effective strategy starts with trying to put your hands or arms behind the ball to block it, rather than just trying to deflect it. With your hands behind the ball, try to pull it in. If that's impossible, try to then push the ball far wide of the goal to prevent an easy rebound shot.
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