Soccer goalies need cat-like reflexes, a fearless manner and split-second judgement. After all, a goalie has to react to shots and be prepared to put his body on the line to prevent a goal. Goalie skills range from physical actions such as diving and kicking, to tactical and mental skills such as positioning and team communication. Goalies also need intense concentration skills. It takes just one mistake from a goalie to cost his team dearly.
Shot Stopping
Shot stopping is perhaps the key goalkeeping skill. It simply means the ability to stop the ball from getting into the back of the net. However, it covers a variety of techniques. For example, a goalie needs to be agile and fast enough to dive across the goal mouth to push away striker shots. According to soccer training manager Eamonn Dolan in a BBC video, it's important to keep a solid position to react to any shots. Keep your feet at shoulder-width, your elbows tucked in with your hands spread out, and your weight slightly forward. This position enables you to stop direct shots, as well as quickly move in any direction.
Diving
Diving is one of the most physically demanding goalie skills. It requires some explosive power to push off to either side. In his book "101 Youth Football Drills," Malcolm Cook suggests building diving skills by first practicing on the ground. For example, the goalie lies with his chest facing the coach. The coach rolls a ball on the ground beyond the goalie's reach. The goalie must push off the grass to move and stop the ball. After six to eight repetitions, the goalie moves to a sitting position and repeats the drill. Finally, the goalie performs the drill from standing.
Kicking
Many soccer goalies forget that they often perform a crucial part in forward play. A large percentage of attacks first start with a pass from the goalie. If you can't accurately pass the ball to your teammates, then the play breaks down. Even worse, it could result in an interception. An important weapon is the drop kick. You drop the ball onto your foot as you swing your leg hard. The idea is to get the ball as far up the field as possible -- out of your danger area and ideally to your own midfielders or attackers.
Communication
England international goalkeeper David James offers several skill training tips for wannabe goalies. He puts extra emphasis on communication. It's the goalie's job to organize the defence into the right positions during free kicks, corners or even open play. Like any physical ability, communication is a skill and the more you practice the better you'll get. Try shouting instructions at your defensive teammates -- but make sure to always listen to their shouts and warnings too.
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