A soccer goalie occupies arguably the most difficult of team positions, writes Joe Luxbacher in "The Soccer Goalkeeper." Mistakes by the goalie are punished more immediately and severely than those by field players, as the error typically results in a goal scored against your team. A howler such as the fumble of a Clint Dempsey shot by England goalkeeper Robert Green in the 2010 World Cup can lead to national despair. Even on the recreational level, the pressures on a goalkeeper are significant, but the rewards of being hailed as a team hero are potentially there to be savored too.
Need for Courage
If you have the requisite courage and confidence, it may not be that difficult for you to be a soccer goalkeeper. Luxbacher notes that you need to be ready to sacrifice your body to stop a pointblank shot. Strikers may be racing you to the ball, with a risk of injury if they misjudge and kick your hand or forearm instead of slowing down or hurdling you as you dive for save. The ball itself comes in at 30 to 70 mph, depending on the age and skill of your opponent. Keepers must make split-second decisions in the frantic action around the goal box and promptly forget any mistakes, Luxbacher notes.
Need for Leadership
If you really understand soccer -- how to build an attack or how the first-, second- and third-closest defenders to the ball need to position themselves -- again, you may find being a soccer goalie a good fit for your gifts and not difficult. You need a good understanding of the game paired with tactical awareness and perceptiveness, write goalkeeper coaches Thomas Dooley and Christian Titz in "Soccer Goalkeeper Training." And it helps to be vocal and audible at a distance as you direct traffic in your half of the field.
Need for Athleticism
While common sense indicates the advantage a taller goalkeeper has patrolling a goal measuring 8 feet tall by 24 feet wide, height isn't everything, writes U.S. men's team goalie coach Tim Mulqueen in "The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper." For example, Nick Rimando at 5 feet, 10 inches tall helped Real Salt Lake defeat the LA Galaxy in the 2009 MLS Cup, Mulqueen notes. Athleticism, quickness, good reflexes and intelligence can make up for a lack of height. Conversely, if you are tall, you may find goalkeeping that much easier.
Need for Training
Certain goalkeeping skills may come easy to you. You may be excellent at stopping a one-on-one attack with a lone striker but find it tricky to jump high enough to tap the ball over the crossbar. You may project calmness, confidence and competence in directing your defense to stop attackers before they can get close enough to threaten a shot but not have the strongest punts in your league. If you have good coordination, a lack of fear and a thoughtful approach to tactics, you can work with your coach on keeper-specific skills such as sure catches, precise throws and punts and excellent positioning in the penalty area.
References
- Associated Press via NBC Sports; England's Coach Considers Benching Goalie; June 2010
- "The Soccer Goalkeeper"; Joe Luxbacher, et al., 2002
- "Soccer Goalkeeper Training"; Thomas Dooley, et al.; 2011
- "The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper"; Tim Mulqueen; 2010
Member Comments