As the last line of defense in soccer, the goalie must know precisely how to position himself during an opposing team's attack. Your stance must allow you to move quickly to adjust to an oncoming attacker and allow you to react when the ball is shot. Certain situations in soccer, such as corner kicks and free kicks, require you to position your body in goal in a manner that anticipate such set pieces.
Fundamental Stance
At any point when the opposing team has possession of the ball and is on the attack, you should be in your defensive stance and be ready to react in case the ball is shot on goal. When taking your stance, your knees should be slightly bent and your weight must be balanced on top of the balls of your feet. Never shift your weight on to the back of your heels. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing out at a slight angle. Keep your head up and your hands up and in front of your chest, as if you're readying yourself to catch the ball. This encourages your hands to work in unison.
Movement
An attack can come from many different angles on the soccer pitch, and standing in the center of the goal is not always the best way to defend. If an attacker comes at the goal straight on, remain on center with the goal line, but come forward slightly to cut down the attacker's shooting angle. If the attacker comes from either the right or left side, shift toward that side and turn your body slightly to face him head on. Imagine an invisible arc that stretches from one goal post to the other. Shift your feet along that arc as the ball moves around the field and maintain your defensive stance at all times. The ball should always be between your body and the attacker's body.
Corner Kick
Your body position during a corner kick depends on several factors. In general, a goalie defends along the center of the goal line, standing just slightly off the line. You can post teammates at the goal posts to help defend the goal. Your body should be facing the corner from where the ball is being kicked. If the ball is curling in toward the goal, there is a good chance you can make a play on it. If the ball curls away from goal, it is usually best to retreat and keep defending the goal in your normal stance. Should you decide to come out of the goal to make a play on the ball, you have the advantage of jumping up with your hands in the air to either catch or punch away the ball. If you miss the ball, retreat quickly by backpedaling while remaining in your defensive stance.
Free Kick
Free kicks can be dangerous, depending on how close the ball is placed to the goal. Goalies often direct teammates to form a wall that consists of one or several players. The objective of the wall is to cut down the shooting angle of the player taking the free kick. As a goalie, you must instruct your team how many players are needed in the wall and whether to shift right or left. Ideally, the wall blocks one half of the goal, while you defend the other half. Ensure that you can see the ball from where it is being kicked. Take your normal defensive stance along the goal line that favors the side not being guarded by the wall.
Penalty Kick
Defending a penalty kick is much like defending any other attack that is straight on goal. The only difference here is that you can not come off the goal line and move forward to cut down the angle. Once the ball is kicked and you dive to attempt for a save, your body can come forward to try to minimize the angle. You should take your normal defensive stance in preparation for a penalty kick and remain relaxed and loose to help you move more efficiently once the ball is kicked.
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