Youth Goalkeeping Series: Part 2 of 3
Great Goalkeepers are the First Line of Offense!
The first priority of every goalkeeper is to prevent the ball from entering the goal. This objective is the focus of the majority of most youth goalkeeper training today. It makes sense! The goalkeepers are the last line of defense.
However, in the game of soccer today, the demands of the game require that goalkeepers have the technical and tactical skills to start and support their team’s attack of the opponent. The goalkeeper that can begin an attack with each clearance can be a huge asset to their team. However, the goalkeeper who kicks or throws aimlessly is wasting quality attacking opportunities
Can the young goalkeeper begin to develop this ability to be the "first line of offense" in the early stages of their formal goalkeeper training? I’d like to offer some thoughts on exploring the role of the youth goalkeeper as the first attacker.
What should happen when the youth goalkeeper gains possession of the ball?
Don’t panic!
- Secure the ball.
- Take a deep breath.
- Think about trying to keep possession of the ball with his/her team.
Look for your teammates
- Where is the teammate who is in the most favorable position to receive the ball safely?
- Generally the goalkeeper should look to the side opposite from which the attack was made, as this side will be less congested.
Start the attack as soon and as safe as possible
- When to throw, when to hold, and when to kick the ball depends largely on the situation.
- A throw and a kick can be used to various advantages.
- Holding on to the ball also allows the team to recover and change to an attacking attitude.
It is critical that the goalkeeping instructor and team coach spend time developing the goalkeeper's confidence within the team through functional play. Within the team play the focus is on what the keeper must do after he/she gets the ball. Most importantly, it is vital to develop the goalkeepers ability to stay calm with the ball as well as focus on how to get the ball to a teammate in the safest way possible. Allowing the goalkeeper to work within the team as the first attacker will build consistency and confidence between the goalkeeper and his/her teammates.
A problem I consistently see in game play at the U8 - U12 age groups (and many older ages too) is that the goalkeepers are put under instant pressure and their response is to get rid of the ball as soon as possible. I have found two main sources for this pressure. The first is the team coach and the second are the parents. Attend a youth game at the U8-U12 age group levels and you often hear coaches and parents screaming “KICK IT!” within just moments of the goalkeeper gaining possession of the ball. The response is the same! A ball kicked or thrown anywhere with no purpose or advantage to the goalkeeper's team.
When this happens, three things have occurred. There has been no time for the goalkeeper's nerves to settle after the save, no time for the brain to change from a defending attitude to an attacking attitude, and no time for the eyes to focus on the field to see options.
It is of great importance to develop the defending and attacking technical and beginning tactical skills of young goalkeepers. It is only through this developmental process, our young keepers will comfortably become connected to the team play on both sides of the ball.
This is the second part in a series of three writings focusing on Youth Goalkeeping. Part 1, published on Dec. 30, 2007, can be found in the December archives.
Peter Mastrogiovanni
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