Good Footwork is the Foundation of Solid Goalkeeping

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    Good footwork is the foundation of solid goalkeeping. If a keeper has quick feet, they can easily

    get themselves into position to make the easy catch, rather than having to dive at balls just at theedge of their reach all the time. Good goalkeepers make every save look easy, and the key to that

    is good footwork.

    Footwork Principles

    Keep moving and stay on the toes. The feet of a good goalkeeper are constantly in

    motion, and they dance on the balls of the feet. A sure way for a keeper to get beat is to

    have their weight back on their heels. Watch for this! Not only does this keep them from

    moving quickly to a ball, but it has bad effects on their diving and jumping. Yourkeeper should have "happy feet", always bouncing on

    the toes and with their weight forward.

    Stay square to the ball.

    The goalkeepers hips and shoulders should always besquare to the ball; that is, perpendicular to a line between

    the shooter/ball and the keeper. (Fig. 1). A common

    problem is for young keepers to turn sideways whencollecting balls that aren't in front of them. Make sure

    they always square up - to do this, they must also...

    Get behind the ball. It is easiest to make the save whenthe ball is directly in front of them, so they should use their feet to get behind the ball

    every time, if possible. A goalkeeper uses two types of steps to do this:

    1. Shuffle step - this is used for short distances. The body stays square to the ball, the feet shuffle quickly but never cross over. Right foot stays on the

    right, left on the left.

    2. Crossover step - used to cover more ground. Turn the hips and run in the

    direction they want to go, but with their upper body facing the ball. Again, don't

    cross the feet up - right on the right, left on the left. This is nota carioca or

    "grapevine" step, where one foot passes in front of and then behind the other

    alternately.

    If there is a long way to go, use the crossover, then end with a few quick shuffles to

    adjust the final position for making the catch. A common problem, especially for

    young players, is to cross their feet and trip themselves up. Make sure right foot stays on

    the right, left on left.

    Move forwards to the ball. The save should always be made forwards, moving towards

    the ball. This accomplishes two important things: it allows the keeper to get to the ball

    faster, and it gives the keeper the proper angle to deflect any balls that aren't caught away

    from the goal. Do not let your keeper take a step back when they catch the ball. If

    anything, they should take a step forward.

    Fig. 1: Stay square to the ball

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    Recover quickly, and always keep your hands free. Just because the goalkeeper goesdown with a dive or slide does not mean the play is over. A parry or deflection may keep

    the ball in play, and perhaps send it right to an attacker! The goalkeeper must regain their

    feet as quickly as possible. Preferrably, this is done without using the hands so the

    hands are ready to make a stop if necessary. There is no set method for doing this, butgoalkeepers should practice getting back up quickly and without the use of their hands.

    Again, footwork is the foundation of solid goalkeeping! Often the difference between a save

    and a goal is just half a step. Use the feet to get the body behind the ball.

    At the moment a shot is taken, the goalkeeper should be square

    to the ball, on their toes with their knees bent, hands at the sides,weight forward, ready to spring quickly in any direction. This

    stance is called the ready position (Fig. 2).

    Even as the keeper is moving, they should always be close to this

    position so they can react quickly to a shot. The keeper shouldalmost always come to the ready position just as a shot is taken,

    so they can react in any direction necessary.

    Quick Summary - Footwork: Mistakes to Watch For:Keep the feet movingStay square to the ball

    Always get the body behind the ball

    Move forwards toward the ballRecover quickly with hands free

    Stay close to the ready position

    Not getting completely behind the ballBack on the heels

    Feet crossing over each other

    Stepping backwards on the save

    Along with footwork and good catching skills, positioning provides the foundation of good

    goalkeeping. A keeper who is always in position makes it look like every shot goes right to them,

    because the shooter has nowhere else to put the ball. Poor positioning leaves vast areas of net fora shooter, or even an empty net.

    Fig. 2: The ready position

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    Basic Positioning Principles

    First, to position themselves accurately, the goalkeeper must

    know where the goal is! It sounds obvious, but during the

    scramble of a game a keeper can lose track. When the play startsmoving towards the goal, the first thing the keeper must do

    is check the posts to make sure they are starting off with good

    position. Then, whenever they can divert their attention for asplit second, they should check the posts again to make sure

    they've maintained that good position in the face of a moving

    ball.

    Second, the goalkeeper must always try to position themselveson an imaginary line that runs from the center of the goal to the

    ball (Fig. 1). This puts them in position to get to either post

    equally well. The center line determines the side-to-sidepositioning.

    Third, the goalkeeper must position themselves far enough off the goal line to cover the angle

    created by the ball and both posts. They should be able to cover either post with a couple of

    quick steps (footwork!) and a dive if necessary (Fig. 2). The angle and the keeper's ability

    determine the forward/backward positioning. Many young or timid goalkeepers tend to stay

    very close to the goal line - sometimes right on it. They must be taught to come off the line if

    they are to cover any shots near the posts.

    How far out a keeper must come depends on their size and ability - smaller goalkeepers or

    keepers with a poor range will need to come farther out to be able to cover the entire angle.

    But don't forget the third dimension not represented in these pictures: height. A keeper who is far

    off their line is more likely to be beaten by a chip over their

    head, so that must also be put into the equation. The keeper mustadjust the forward/backward position so that they're confident

    they won't be beaten easily over the top.

    Positioning Around the Goal

    The goalkeeper must constantly adjust his or her position as they

    move around the goal. Let's look at what happens as the ball

    changes spots.

    At a tight angle, with the ball near the end line, the angle thekeeper needs to cover is very small, so they can stay near their

    goal. However, the keeper must stay outside the near post.

    Fig 1. The Center Line

    Position

    Fig. 2 Covering the

    Angle

    Fig. 3: The Goalkeeper's

    Arc

    Fig. 4 Adjusted Arc

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    This will prevent them from deflecting a shot into their own net inside the near post. At sharpangles the goalkeeper should always position themselves so any ball they deflect at a right angle

    (they should already be square to the ball) will go outside the near post.

    Here's a quick way for goalkeepers to tell if they are outside the near post: if the goalkeeper,

    while square to the ball, points their arms straight out sideways, the arm nearest the goal should

    be pointing outside the near post. If it is pointing into the net, the keeper needs to take anotherstep or two out from goal.

    As the ball moves further out onto the soccer field, the near post is not as much of a concern any

    more, but the keeper must move further out to cover the angle.

    Figure 3 shows conceptually where a keeper should be positioned (red dots) as the ball (black

    dots) moves around the edge of the penalty area. The blue line shows the shape this makes. The

    actual size of the arc will differ depending on the size and skill of a particular keeper, but thegeneral shape will remain the same. (The angle lines are only drawn on the left side of the

    illustration to avoid clutter.)

    If we look at the top of the arc, though, we notice that the keeper is very far off the line

    (sometimes 10-12 yards out!) and likely to get chipped, especially if they're not very tall. So weneed to adjust the top of the arc to account for high balls. The top of the arc gets flattened,

    bringing the keeper back to a position where they have a chance to get to any ball over their head

    (Fig. 4). Again, the exact position will depend on the size and skill of the player. Shorter, less

    skilled keepers will be more comfortable closer to the goal line, others may be comfortablecloser to the six.

    Tony DiCicco calls this concept the "Arc Angle". It can easily be demonstrated on the

    soccer field with three ropes about 50 feet long, one attached to each post and one to a stake at

    the middle of the goal line. Place the ball at varying spots around the penalty area and have thekeeper find their position, then place a cone there. When the exercise is finished, the cones will

    show that keeper's arc as in Figure 3. Adjust for chip shots and you'll end up with the keeper's arc

    as in Figure 4.

    A keeper should learn this arc and use it as a general guideline for how they position themselves

    as the ball moves. Notice that this arc roughly follows the goal box. Make sure the keeper

    notes how their own arc matches or differs from the goal box, so they can use the goal box as a

    reference during practices and games. However, do not let a keeper, especially a young one,

    think they must move along this arc at all times. If the ball quickly changes position, they must

    move as quickly as possible to cover the new position, cutting across the box if necessary.

    Also, remember a given keeper's arc will change as they gain size, strength and ability. You maywant to run the exercise with the ropes once a season to see if their arc has changed.

    Positioning Within the Penalty Area

    Discussion of where the goalkeeper should be in the penalty area when the ball is

    elsewhere on the soccer field is in the tactics section.

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    Quick Summary - Positioning: Mistakes to Watch For:Know the location of the goalposts

    Stay on line between the center of the goal

    and the ball

    Move far enough off the line to cover the

    angle to each post

    Be aware of balls over the head when way

    off the line

    At sharp angles, always play outside the

    near post

    Not checking the goalposts

    frequently

    Staying planted on the goal line

    Standing inside the near post on

    sharp-angled shots

    The only advantage a goalkeeper has over any other player on the soccer field is that they can

    use their hands. In this way, a goalkeeper can control the ball in a way no other player can, but to

    gain this control, they must catch the ball.

    Catching technique is second only to footwork in making a safe, solid keeper. "Soft" goals thatjust slip into the net and rebound goals are tough for the keeper and the entire team to deal with.

    Proper training and practice can prevent these.

    The Two Principles of Catching

    The first thing to remember about catching a soccer ball is always get the hands to the ball

    first!. The occasional kick save may be necessary, but a goalkeeper's hands are their advantage

    and they should always try to exercise that advantage whenever possible. The "hands to the ball

    first" axiom applies to every single technique in goalkeeping.

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    The second thing is a keeper must have "soft hands". This means they must use their arms, backand legs to cushion the ball, absorbing its energy and allowing them to hang on to it. When

    reaching for a ball, the arms should be extended (but don't lock the elbows!), then the elbows

    bend as the catch is made, allowing the arms to absorb the speed of the ball. The keeper can also

    bend back a bit at the waist to help cushion the ball. A quiet catch is a good, soft catch. If

    the ball loudly slaps the hands, the keeper is not giving enough with the ball. Don't allow the

    keeper to take steps backwards to cushion the catch - remember, the keeper should always moveforwards towards the ball.

    There are several basic types of catches used by soccer goalkeepers.

    The "W" or Contour Catch

    The "W" or contour catch is used for any ball from about waist height up. Thehands cradle thecontour of the ball,with the thumbs andindex fingers forminga "W" behind the ball (Fig. 1a). It's critical that the hands, especially the

    thumbs, be behindthe ball - if a keeper tends to catch the sides of the ball,without the strong thumbs behind, they will let balls get through their gripand let in easy goals.

    The hand position can be varied somewhat. For younger keepers or those with small

    hands, bring the wrists closer together, thumbs almost parallel, to get the most stoppingpower behind the ball (Fig. 1b). More experienced keeper with more hand strength

    should rotate the wrists outward, getting more of the contour of the ball and thus better

    control.

    For balls high in the air, the handposition is the same. However, the

    goalkeeper must also take additionalsteps to ensure they can catch the ball

    cleanly:o Jump to catch the ball at

    the highest point

    possible. Keepers mustnot wait on a high ball inthe air and make a basket catch at the waist! They must get to the ballabove their heads. If the ball is not caught high, attackers can rush in

    and head the ball away before it gets to the keeper's hands. Watchcarefully for this and insist they use proper technique.o Raise one knee, the one nearest any opposing pressure, as they jump.

    This provides extra boost for the jump, and also can provide someprotection against onrushing forwards. However, a goalkeepershould neverraise their knee with intent to injure or "send a message"to another player. The knee is primarily used to generate additionalheight on the jump, secondarily as a fender against collisions. It shouldbe kept close in to the keeper's body.

    Fig. 1a (L), 1b (R): The "W" or contour catch

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    If the keeper gets their hands to a high overhead ball, but the ball rolls off their handsand down, they may need to cock their wrist

    back more to get the hands in better catching position.

    The Inverted ContourFor balls below the waist, the inverted contouror basket catch is used. The hands are againbehind the ball, this time downwards with thepinkies together (Fig. 2). Here again it iscritical for the hands to be behind the ball.

    For very hard, low shots, the goalkeeper needs to

    ensure their momentum is forward and their weight is

    over the ball. Older, more advanced goalkeepersshould use the front smothertechnique for these shots

    (see the Advanced Diving page). Ground or Rolling Ball Pickup

    There are several techniques for picking up a rolling ball. For all of them, thekeeper must get their hands all the way down, fingertips brushing theground to ensure a clean catch.

    The straight-leg pickup seems to be falling out of favor lately, and most goalkeepers use

    the knee-bent pickup and its moving variation. in fact, since basic footworkprinciples tell

    us we should move forwards to the ball, the moving pickup is probably used the most ofany of these techniques.

    o Straight-leg pickup (Fig. 3) - the keeper bends from the waist, slightlybent at the knees, with feet behind the ball. Catch with the hands, then

    bring up to the chest. Use this save when there is no pressure.Watch out for young or not very flexible keepers who bend from thewaist but cannot get their hands all the way to the ground. This is arecipe for missed balls. These keepers should probably use thefollowing bent-knee pickup instead.

    Also, a keeper should not use this type of save when under pressure fromopposing forwards. It does not allow enough ability to move out of the way if

    necessary, and puts the head low and in a vulnerable position as well. Use a

    moving-ball pickup, below, to run through the ball or out of harm's way, or make

    a sliding save as for abreakaway.

    o Knee-bent pickup (Fig. 4) - keeper staggers their feet slightly, one justbehind the other. Keeper bends at knees and waist, one foot besidethe ball and the other behind the ball, catch with the hands and then

    bring up to the chest. Although the feet are staggered, they shouldbe behind the ball and close enough together that a ball cannot slipbetween them.

    Fig. 2: Inverted contour

    catch

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    o Moving pickup - similar to a knee-bent pickup, but used when thekeeper is on the move towards the rolling ball. The foot on the goalside of the ball is placed beside the ball, the other foot behind the ball.Keeper is low as they approach the ball, scoop with hands behind the

    ball and not on the sides of the ball, and continue to move throughthe ball in one continuous motion.

    o Knee-down pickup (Fig. 5) - contrary to what many young goalkeepersseem to be taught, this save is actually one of the least used becauseit restricts mobility. This technique is only used in specialsituations, on long, low, hard shots on uneven fields or wet grass. Itgives the keeper the largest "backstop" for low balls that may bedifficult to corral. Keeper bends one knee; the other goes down almost

    to the ground and very close to the other heel. The down kneeshould not touch the ground and should not bear any weight, so thatthe keeper can easily get up and move if need be. Also, the gapbetween heel and knee should be less than a ball width, for obviousreasons.

    Fig. 3: Straight-Leg

    PickupFig. 4: Bent-Knee Pickup Fig. 5: Knee down pickup

    For any low balls, the legs must be kept more or less together and behind the ball.

    Opening the legs invites the "ole" goal right through the wickets - quite embarrassing

    for the keeper!

    Protecting the ball after a catch

    The proper position for protecting a ball after a catch is made isshown in Fig. 6. Both forearms vertical, with hands curled overthe top of the soccer ball. In this position it is almost

    impossible to dislodge the ball. The forearms should never

    be held horizontally like a running back receiving a handoff.

    Your keeper should not attempt to protect the ball too soon

    after a catch. Too often, keepers attempt to bring the ball to

    Fig. 6: Protecting the

    ball

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    the protected position before they have made a clean catch, and end up bobbling the ball, orattempt to make a "catch" in the protected position and end up having the ball ricochet away

    from their chest or forearms. I cannot stress enough that catch must always be made with

    the hands first. In fact, if there is no pressure on the goalkeeper, it may not be necessary to

    protect the ball at all. If the catch is secure, the keeper should be able to simply hold the ball inthe catching position. Catch/protect should be two distinct actions - in fact, they should be

    two distinctsounds as the goalkeeper makes the save - the first the sound of the ball hitting thehands, then the sound of the ball being protected against the chest.

    Also, do not allow the goalkeeper to bat the ball in front of them and then catch it. They

    should be able to "stick" the catch in good catching position right away, using arms, back and

    legs to cushion the ball as mentioned above.

    Quick Summary - Catching: Mistakes to Watch For:Hands to the ball first

    Soft, quiet, cushioning hands and armsGood catching position - "W" with thumbs

    behind the ball or inverted contour with pinkies

    touching

    High balls need to be caught at the highest

    point possible

    On ground pickups, get fingertips all the way

    to the ground by bending at the waist and

    knees

    Protect the ball properly, but only after the

    catch has been made securely

    Trapping ball with body part

    other than hands (chest, forearms,

    etc.)

    Hands on the sides of the ball

    Waiting on high balls

    Legs apart and not behind the

    ball

    Attempting to protect the ball

    before the catch is secure

    Knees on the ground at any time

    Goalkeeping agility is the ability to put your body in strange positions, often in mid-

    air, while changing these positions very rapidly indeed.

    -- Alan Wade, Coach Yourself Soccer

    The dive can be the most spectacular save in soccer, with the

    goalkeeper seemingly flying in out of nowhere to keep the ballfrom hitting the net. It's an important part of the keeper's arsenal,

    but a keeper must have sound fundamentals to perform a dive

    successfully.

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    Diving should only be done as a last resort - good footwork and positioning should eliminate the

    need to dive often. Beware the keeper who loves to dive too much and dives even on what

    should be easy saves. It looks impressive, but safety should come first.

    Basic Principles of Diving

    Many of the fundamentals of footwork and catching also apply to diving: stay square to theshooter, move forward towards the ball, use the hands to catch the ball. For diving, they areexpanded a little.

    Use good footwork to get into position to dive. Smallshuffle steps, or occasionally even a quick crossover, needto be used to get the body into the proper range to makethe dive.

    Move forward at an angle into the dive. The first step going into a dive should be sideways towards

    the ball and forward at roughly a 30-degree angle. Thisgives the keeper the proper angle to deflect balls away

    from goal. One of the biggest problems for keepers isdiving backwards - they put their weight on their heels andstretch backwards, and often will deflect the ball back intothe side netting. Don't let this happen! Make sure theystart with their weight forward on their toes and stepforwards into the dive.

    Get low and shoot out towards the ball. Drive with thenear leg, starting low to generate power. This should come as a naturalprogression after the step forward at the angle.

    Stay square while diving and after landing on the ground. Even whilein midair, the keeper's body should be square to the ball. Why? Becausethis gives them the best catching position, gets the largest part of their bodybehind the ball, and will have them land on their hip and side which is the

    safest landing position. Same thing goes after they are on the ground. Donot allow the keeper to turn face-down while making the catch and land ontheir stomach! Not only can the ball slip through, but landing on the ball caninjure the keeper. Similarly, don't let them roll over on their back after thecatch is made.

    Catch the ball with the hands first, then cushion the fall. Many youngkeepers are afraid of falling to the ground while diving and fail to make thecatch in the first place. Always make the catch first, with the hands ingood catching position, then worry about landing. If they have goodtechnique and land on their side, it will hurt much less. In addition, if they

    make a good catch and have the ball in their hands, they can use the ball asa cushion to soften the landing.

    The Collapsed Dive or "Cradling"

    The collapsed dive or "cradling" is used on balls fairly close to the goalkeeper but far enough to

    the side that just reaching out to make the catch does not get any of the body behind the ball. The

    intent is to move the entire body behind the ball and get the hands in good catching position.

    The Right

    Angle:Just why do

    soccer

    goalkeepers dive

    backwards? The

    explanation, and

    a Java applet

    that lets you

    cover all the

    angles.

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    The sequence of events on a collapsed dive goes like this:

    Use quick footwork to get into proper diving position Step to the side the ball is on, forward at an angle Use the near leg push to drive to the ball Get both hands to the ball to make the catch, using a good "W" catch

    Collapse softly to the ground, putting the ball down first to cushion the falland landing on the side (hip and shoulder)

    Extension and Aerial Dives

    For balls further away, the keeper must extend and get into the air at the same level as the ball.Again, the whole idea is to get the body behind the ball and the hands in good catching position.

    The technique is similar to a collapsed dive, except that now the keeper must generate extra

    power to drive the body both horizontally and vertically to get into catching position. In addition,

    the landing will be a bit more difficult since the keeper will be "falling" from higher up.

    The technique for aerial or extension dives is this:

    Use quick footwork to get into proper diving position Step to the side the ball is on, forward at an angle Drive outwards, and upwards if necessary, with the near foot, starting low

    and exploding for maximum height and distance - the goal is to get the bodyat the same height as the ball. For low balls, no height is needed so don'twaste energy going up to make "rainbow", just drive horizontally.

    Bring the knee of the other leg across the body for additional boost Get both hands to the ball to make the catch, using a good "W" catch Bring the ball to the ground first to cushion the landing, then land as softly as

    possible on the side (hip and shoulder)

    Again, the diving technique attempts to get the body and hands into position to make a good

    clean catch. In fact, when a dive is properly executed, the body should be in the same

    position as when making an easy head-high save standing up. The only difference is that you arehorizontal three feet off the ground! Of course, it can be difficult for young keepers (especially

    girls) to achieve great height or distance, but if they develop proper technique early the height

    and distance will come with age and strength.

    The combination of stepping and driving with the near foot and then getting extra boost from theother knee is often referred to as the "power step". Many young players, especially girls, will not

    have sufficient leg strength to get airborne very well. That's okay - just introduce them to the

    proper technique. A good power step and the ability to explode to the ball will come in time.But don't let them omit the power step, even if they can't generate much power now.

    Also, many young or beginning goalkeepers will be afraid of the landing. Tell them to stop

    thinking so much and just do it! Focus on getting to the ball and staying square and the landingwill take care of itself. This can be tough to get past, so be patient.

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    However, be careful not to overtrain younger keepers when working on diving, particularyaerial and extension diving. Introduce the basics of proper technique, but don't push keepers who

    aren't ready for the physical aspects of diving.

    Finally, if they don't come up with the ball, the keeper should be ready to spring back to their

    feet immediately to make another save if they can (the ball doesn't always end up in the goal

    when we miss!). If possible, they should get back up without using their hands. Once thehands are put down on the ground to push off, they become useless. Quick recovery, with hands

    ready, can often keep the ball out of the net.

    Quick Summary - Diving: Mistakes to Watch For:Use good footwork to get into position first

    Step forward into the dive

    Stay square to the shooter

    Catch the ball with the hands first

    Power to the ball with the near leg, opposite

    knee drives across for extra boost

    Land on the side (hip and shoulder)

    Don't use hands to get back up

    Diving backwards

    Turning over onto stomach or

    back after the save

    Weak power step and drive to

    ball

    Proper execution [of dives] requires anticipation, correct technique, precise timing,

    and courage.

    -- Luxbacher and Klein, The Soccer Goalkeeper

    The two techniques on this page are reserved for goalkeepers who are a bit older and have the

    physical skill to perform them. As a rule of thumb, these diving techniques should be introduced

    to youngsters starting at about the U12 or U13 level. Like other diving techniques, these arerough on the body, so be careful not to overtrain them.

    The Front Smother

    The front smother, also known as the forward dive, forward smother, or forward vault, is actually

    a very commonly used technique at higher levels of the game. It is used on hard, low shots or

    balls that are going to "short-hop" the keeper. Essentially, it is a combination of amoving

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    ground-ball pickup and a basket (inverted contour) catch, with momentum taking the goalkeeperforward over the ball and to the ground. This ensures the keeper completely smothers the ball

    and does not give up a rebound.

    The goalkeeper should strive to get the ball before it hits the ground if possible, but whether

    the catch is on the fly or on the short hop, the goalkeeper needs to be attacking the low ball

    aggressively and not waiting and risking a funny bounce.

    The steps in a front smother are:

    Move towards the ball. This is a dive, so the goalkeeper needs some forwardmomentum. Try to get to the ball before it hits the ground if possible; if not,get it on the short hop.

    Catch the ball similar to the technique for a moving ground ball pickup: handslow and together in a basket, feet staggered. Catch the ball with the

    hands -- do not try to trap it between the arms and chest. Bring the ball up into the protected position.

    Continue the momentum forward and low over the ball, with the legsstretching out behind. This gets the goalkeeper's knees out of harm's way. Go to ground, using the forearms to cushion the landing.

    A sure sign of a keeper who needs to learn a front smother is if they consistenly drop to theirknees to field driven low balls that are going to land around their feet. If you see this, teach them

    to attack the soccer ball and gather it in with a front smother before it hits the ground.

    The front smother is here in the Advanced Diving section, rather than the Catching section, for a

    couple of reasons. First, young goalkeepers should first learn to stay on their feet as long aspossible, and encouraged to handle as many balls as they safely can without going to ground. I

    usually don't introduce the front smother until goalkeepers are at least 12 years old or so. Second,

    this is a physically demanding technique -- it puts stress on the arms and upper body even whendone correctly, and can take a toll on the knees when done improperly -- and young goalkeepers

    may not be up to the task. You can introduce the technique at any age, but be careful not to

    overdo training on these techniques and don't push any goalkeeper who isn't ready.

    The Rotation Dive

    One of the most difficult balls to stop is the hard, ground-hugging shot just a yard or so from thegoalkeeper's feet. Often a reaction kick save is the only way to get to such a ball, but if the

    keeper has just a bit more time they may be able to get their hands to the ball using a rotation or

    "windmill" dive.

    Although they may appear to break them from time to time, goalkeepers are still subject to thelaw of gravity. A keeper's center of mass simply will not get to the ground any faster than gravity

    will allow. However, a goalkeeper can get their hands and upper body to the ground faster than

    gravity alone by rotating their body around the center of mass. Rather than push up or out, the

    legs are used to give rotational force to keeper's body

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    The technique is rather different than other dives, as it does not start out with the usualstep toward the ball. In fact, the first step is actually away from the ball:

    Drop the shoulder nearest the ball, then take the leg nearest the ball and pullit up underneath the body and away from the ball. This starts the bodydownward and imparts some of the rotation.

    Reach downward for the ball with the near hand. The far hand will be latearriving with this technique; that's to be expected.

    As the fall continues, kick the far leg out and upwards. This continues therotation and gets the upper body to the ground and behind the ball.

    Finish the dive in proper position, square to the ball.

    A ball may be too far away to catch cleanly, but sometimes just a fingertip to the ball can beenough to send it high or wide. Parrying, or tipping, is the technique used to do this.

    The open hand (heel of the palm or fingertips, depending on the save) should be used to

    redirect the ball, not the fist. Extended fingers have a few more inches of reach than the fist in

    addition to having more control. Don't let your players try to punch the ball around the goal -punching is reserved for crossed balls and is discussed separately below.

    Parrying High Balls

    The most common use of parrying is to get to balls chipped over the goalkeeper's head.

    The technique is very similar to how a baseball fielder might play a similar ball hit over them.The basic steps are these:

    Decide (quickly!) which side the ball is going to. If it's coming directly at the keeper,they should just pick their most comfortable side.

    Get the hips pointed in the proper direction - turn left if going back to the left, turn right if

    going back to the right. This can also be accomplished by simply taking one step backwith the foot on that side.

    Use a crossover stepto get back as quickly as possible.

    Power step upwards, slightly backwards (the only time a keeper will everbe allowed to

    go backwards!) and through the ball. The keeper should aim to get to the ball as high as

    possible - above the level of the crossbar if they can. Get the opposite side hand to the ball. If the ball is on the left, for example, the keeper

    should use the right hand. This is because as the keeper turns sideways, the oppositehand becomes the "top" hand and will be closest to the soccer ball.

    Use the fingers and top of the palm to simply direct the ball straight up. The momentum

    of the ball will provide enough energy to get over the bar. The ball should not need tobe pushed up over the bar - if it's coming slowly enough to require a good push, it should

    probably be caught instead of parried. In addition, the palm should always face forward -

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    the keeper should not turn the palm towards the goal and try to push or "dunk" the ballbackwards over the crossbar.

    Don't worry too much about the landing. Some keepers like to use their twisting

    momentum to roll out of the landing; others just land however they fall.

    Good footwork, from hip turn to crossover to power step, is critical to a good parry over the

    crossbar. A keeper should neverback straight up on a ball over their head - it puts their weighton their heels and can lead to balls pushed into the top of the net, or worse yet, a bruised tailbone

    as they fall over backwards.

    Parrying Balls Around the Post

    The technique for tipping balls around the post is similar to that forextension diving, except onlyone hand is used. Which hand? The closest to the ball. For low balls, this will be the one on the

    ball side, or the bottom hand once the keeper dives. For high balls, the hand on the far side

    should be used, as this will be the top hand when the keeper is horizontal.

    To parry a ball around the goalpost:

    Use good footworkto get into position for the dive

    Explode through the ball, forward at an angle, using extension diving technique

    Lead with the hand closest to the ball, using the heel of the palm to deflect the balloutside the post. The heel of the palm provides the most solid surface to contact the ball

    while still maintaining some control.

    Make sure the keeper goes forward at an angle when parrying around the post - the ball will

    not be caught, so a goalkeeper diving backwards will all too often just deflect the ball into theside netting.

    Punching, or boxing, is used to clear away crossed balls that

    cannot be caught, usually in heavy traffic. It is not atechnique used often, as the ball should be caught whenever

    possible, but can be very effective in allowing a keeper to

    demonstrate they have complete control over their goal area.

    If there is any doubt for a keeper that they they will not beable to catch a cross, it should be punched. "When in doubt,

    punch it out" (but remember this applies only to crosses, not

    shots!).

    The three keys to an effective punch are:

    Punching hand position

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    1. Width - getting the ball towards the sidelines, out of the center of the soccer field2. Distance - getting the ball as far away from the goal as possible

    3. Height - getting the ball over the attacking players

    The proper hand position for punching is important for best control and for avoiding finger

    injuries. The hands should form a fist, with the four fingers forming a flat surface, and the

    thumb pressed firmly against the side of the fist but below the flat surface out of harm's way. Theflat surface allows for the most control, as well as getting sensitive knuckles out of the way.

    Do not tuck the thumb inside the fingers, as this is just asking for a hand injury.

    Punching can be done with one hand or both hands. This is determined by the direction you wantthe ball to go: If you are trying to send the ball back in the direction it is coming from, use

    two hands. If you want the ball to continue away in the same direction it is already going, use a

    one-handed punch.

    A two-handed punch starts with the fists placed together to form the largest surfacepossible. The hands should start close to the body, elbows at the sides, and then explode through

    the ball, utilizing back and hip muscles as well, to drive the ball high, far and wide of the goal.Often a weak punch results when the ball is struck with arms already extended, so make surethe hands start from close to the body.

    The hand takes the same shape for a one-handed punch as for a two-handed punch; use the

    flat surface formed by the fingers. Use a one handed punch to box the ball in the same direction

    it is already going: use the arm on the same side the ball is coming from, and punch in a

    powerful, compact motion across the body to send the ball on. Avoid a wide, looping swing as

    this does not generate much power. This should be a punch, not a slap!

    Quick Summary - Parrying: Mistakes to Watch For:

    Use drop step & crossover to go back on the ballUse opposite (top) hand on high balls, same side (low)

    hand on wide balls

    Drive though the ball

    Use open hand and fingers to guide the ball around postFor wide balls, go forward at an angle

    Using fist to deflect ball aroundgoal

    Backing up on heels for balls over

    head

    Pushing ball upwards with full handTurning the palm and pushing ball

    backwards or "dunking" it

    Quick Summary - Punching: Mistakes to watch for:

    Use for crosses that cannot be caughtTry for maximum width, distance and height

    Fingers form flat surface, thumb behind fist

    Fingers not forming flat punchingsurface

    Thumbs tucked inside fist

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    Two hands to send the ball in the opposite direction;one hand to continue it in the same direction

    Start with hands in, elbows out, and drive through the

    ball

    Punching with arms alreadyextended

    Wide, looping swing on a one-

    handed punch

    The breakaway save requires all that a goalkeeper can muster - technique, timing, toughness, and

    courage. A successful save can turn the tide of a soccer game and lift the whole team, but it has

    to start with a solid technical foundation. Proper technique also serves to keep the goalkeeper

    from injury in what can be an extremely dangerous situation.

    There are three key components to a breakaway save:

    Positioning Proper starting position is critical, since leaving the goal from abad spot will either strand the keeper in no-man's land or leave a wide-open

    net for the shooter. As the opponents bring the ball into the goalkeeper'sdefending third, the keeper should already be backing up towards the goal(seeTactics: Coming Off the Line). As the ball gets within shooting range (35-40 yards; less for younger players), the goalkeeper should back up to a fewyards off the line and check their position relative to the goal. Now they arein good starting position and set to come out and challenge a breakaway ifnecessary.

    Timing A perfectly executed save at the wrong time can make a keeper lookfoolish, but a well-timed attempt, even with imperfect technique, has achance of stopping the attacker. The keys to timing the save are:

    1. Time the attacker. Be ready to charge the moment the attackermakes a mistake. Wait for the attacker to make a long touch, and try

    to get to the soccer ball when it is as far off the attacker's foot aspossible. Barring that, the keeper should start the challenge just as theattacker touches the ball, so that they get there before the attackercan get another touch. For more discussion on when to come out, seethe tactics section.

    2. Match the attacker's pace. If the attacker is coming in slow, thegoalkeeper should approach slowly. If the attacker is moving quickly,the goalkeeper should too. If the keeper charges a stationary attacker,the attacker can easily cut around the keeper; if the keeper is too slow,a fast moving attacker will be by them or get a shot off before they canreact.

    3. Leave a cushion. Once the keeper has closed down the attacker, they

    should slow and leave a cushion of a couple of arms' lengthsbetween themselves and the attacker. Slowing down at this point willmake the goalkeeper better able to react to a quick shot, and thecushion prevents the goalkeeper from being easily dribbled. Keepers

    who get too close too soon will often "pull out" of a save, standing upout of their low ready position and allowing the attacker an easier shot.

    4. Stay up as long as possible. Once the goalkeeper is on theground, they're committed, so they should stay up on their feet until

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    the save is as sure as can be. This is especially true of a slowly movingattacker who can easily dribble around afallen keeper.

    5. Once committed, come hard and

    don't stop. A keeper who second-guesses themself gives the attacker theadvantage. It's all or nothing in this

    situation!

    The Sliding Save To start, approach the attacker in a slightly

    modified, lower ready position with the handsclose to the ground (Fig. 1). The keeper needs tobe close to the ready position because a shotcould come at any moment, but modifiedbecause at close range the keeper is vulnerableto the quick, close shot right along the ground.

    When the moment is right, start the slide. The goalkeeper should slide with their feet

    towards the center of the goal, with their body square to the attacker, and centered so the

    ball is around their lower chest or midsection. An attacker will be more likely (lessafraid) to try to cut the ball to the hands/head side of the goalkeeper, so by sliding with

    the feet to the center of the goal an attacker who goes this way will go wide. Staying

    square provides the longest barrier possible; centering

    the ball provides equal barrier on either side. Do not

    allow the goalkeeper to slide feet first! Not only does

    this provide very little barrier to the attacker, but it

    exposes the whole lower part of the keeper's body to theattacker.

    Finally, smother the ball with the hands. In fact,

    throughout the slide the intent of the keeper should be

    to get their hands on the ball before the attacker cantouch it again. Having the "hands first!" attitude

    will also help keep the slide from going feet first. Ifnecessary, the keeper can use a modified catch

    involving the forearms to act as a shock absorber. The

    ball is caught with a bent wrist, between the palm and

    the forearm. The hands are hooked over the ball, in asort of "cobra" position (Fig. 2). This position provides maximum protection, especially

    if the attacker is about to strike the ball.

    After the save is made, the soccer ball should be securely held in front of the goalkeeper. The

    keeper should not roll over on or curl up around the ball, since this puts body parts between theball and the attacker who is swinging at it! The ball is the keeper's shield in this case. UnderLaw

    12, Decisions of the International FA Board, it states "The goalkeeper is considered to be incontrol of the ball by touching it with any part of his hand or arms." The referee should be

    reminded of this if they allow an attacker to kick at the ball after the goalkeeper has their hands

    on it.

    Fig. 1: Low Ready

    Position

    Fig. 2: Modified "Cobra"

    Catching Position

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    Finally, never give up on the ball, especially on a breakaway! Even if the goalkeeper doesnot smother the soccer ball completely on the slide, they will often deflect it, or at least push the

    attacker wide. If they can recover quickly, they may have given themselves enough time to make

    a second save.

    Quick Summary - Breakaways: Mistakes to Watch For:Good starting position

    Time the shooterMatch the shooter's paceStay up as long as possibleApproach in a low ready

    positionStay square with the slideCenter the soccer ball at the

    midsectionHands to the ball first!

    Approaching attacker with wrong paceNot getting low enough on approachSliding feet firstCatching the ball at head level

    Turning over on the ball after the saveNot recovering after a deflection or after

    the attacker gets by

    The goalkeeper is the last line of defense, but also the first line of attack. I am not advocatingattempting to dribble the entire field starting from your own goal like Amadeo Carrizo, but a

    quick restart to the attack can be very effective. After a save is made, the keeper must quickly

    look to break out and start the counter. This is especially true after the Laws change of July 1,2000 eliminating the four-step limitation and requiring the goalkeeper to put the ball back in play

    after 5-6 seconds.

    Distribution can be done two ways: throws or kicks. Both have advantages for certain situations.

    Kicks

    A goalkeeper may simply drop the ball to the ground and take the kick normally, especially if

    they have a big foot. When more distance is required, to break pressure or for younger players, a

    punt or drop kick is used.

    Punts

    A punt is usually the kick with the greatest distance, although the hightrajectory and hang time usually mean 50-50 balls at the receiving end.Start with the ball in both hands. It may be more comfortable to end updropping the ball with one hand rather than two. If so, the hand on the sameside as the kicking foot should be used (you'll see this in the video clip). Butstarting with both hands will allow for more consistency in the drop. Take ashort run up (about 2-3 steps) at a slight angle to the kicking direction; this

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    gets the hip more involved and generates more power. The plant foot

    should point towards the target. Drop the ball - don't toss it upwards! - andkick, following through to land on the kicking foot. The kicking foot should be

    straight, directly on line with the target, and should not swing around thebody.

    Drop Kicks

    A drop kick, where the ball hits the ground before being contacted bythe foot, gives a lower trajectory ball. This makes it better for driving into thewind and makes it easier for teammates to receive. It does not have quite thedistance of a punt, however. The technique is very much the same as a punt,except the kick is timed so the foot strikes the ball just after it bounces onthe ground. The drop kick has a distinctive "ba-DUM" sound you canlisten for: the "ba" is the ball hitting the ground; the "DUM" is the foot strikingthe ball a fraction of a second later.

    Timing is everything for both punts and drop kicks. Just like free-throw shooting inbasketball, kicking distribution must be practiced over and over until the timing becomes

    automatic. Don't be discouraged when kicks are very inconsistent at first - time and lots of

    practice will improve things.

    Goal Kicks

    Goalkeepers ought to take their own goal kicks if possible. This allows the

    defense to push out and keep attackers from lurking about near the penalty area

    and ensures that defenders are marked up and organized in case of a quick change

    of possession.

    As with punts and drop kicks, technique is the key. Power is usually less of anissue than the ability to get some loft on the ball to increase the distance. Keys

    to getting a good goal kick are:

    Approach the ball from a slight angle. This will allow the hipflexor to get involved more and generate more leg speed.

    Make sure the follow through is straight at the target,though.

    The ankle of the plant foot should be just behind the ball andthe body should be leaning back. This differs from shooting

    technique! If the plant foot is too close to the ball, it will bedifficult to get any height on the kick.

    The final step into the kick should be a long, smooth stride (Fig. 1). This also

    helps generate leg speed. A short, choppy run-up won'tallow a proper leg swing.

    The toe needs to be pointed slightly outwards (ankle locked!)in order to get the foot under the ball (Fig. 2). This isprobably the most crucial point. Although a goal kick is aninstep drive, you want to use the inside of the shoelaces, notthe top. The foot should be angled outward so the

    Fig. 1: Long

    stride

    Fig. 2: Foot

    angle

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    contact point is on the lower half of the ball, just above the first joint of thebig toe on the inside of the instep (Fig. 3). An analogy I like touse is that of a golf wedge versus a driver. The foot should bemore like a wedge in order to get under the ball and give theit proper trajectory and distance.

    If the kicks are long but tend to curl and affect accuracy,

    watch the point where the foot strikes the ball. With anangled approach and long swing, the natural tendency will beto hit an "inswinging" ball; to counteract this, the strikepoint should be just to the "inside" of the ball (just to the leftof center on the ball for a right footed kicker, vice versa forlefties).

    If a keeper is struggling to get the ball off the ground, it can be helpful to try working off a "tee"

    at first: a tall tuft of grass, flat cone, etc. This will allow more space to get under the ball. Oncethat is working well, lower the ball. You shouldn't need a specialized keeper coach to help with

    goal kicks; any good soccer coach should be able to help you tune up your place kick.

    A final word on kicks: let your good technique do the work for you! A keeper who tries too

    hard to "explode" the ball will likely mis-hit the ball and suffer inconsistency. Relax, and let themechanics of the kick work for you.

    Throws

    Throws are usually much shorter than kicks, but much more accurate. A quick throw

    right to the feet of an open teammate is often the safest distribution. The

    goalkeeper has several basic throws available. I've listed them here in order of

    decreasing accuracy and increasing distance.

    For the javelin, sidearm and overhand throw, the trajectory of the soccer ball should be mostlylevel or even downwards, not high and looping. We want the ball to hit the ground in front of thereceiver, to give it time to settle on the grass and make for an easy trap. A rule of thumb is to

    have the ball initially hit the ground about two-thirds of the way to the receiver.

    RollThe roll (Fig. 4) is the most accurate but shortestdistribution. It is also typically the easiest forteammates to receive. Control the ball betweenthe palm of the hand and the forearm with a bent

    wrist, step with the opposite foot, and "bowl" theball, making sure the fingertips touch the groundon the delivery. This will require bending theknees and waist to get low enough. Just likein real bowling, you don't want to drop the ballfrom the hand to the ground. The transition should be smooth.

    Fig. 3: Ball

    contact

    Fig. 4: The Roll

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    Javelin or Baseball ThrowIn the middle of the accuracy and distance scaleis the javelin or baseball throw (Fig. 5). The formis similar to how a javelin is thrown. The ballstarts in the palm beside the head and is thrownstraight forward as the keeper steps into the

    throw. Some backspin on the ball will help it "sitdown" and make it easier to receive, so thekeeper can let the ball roll of their fingertipsslightly at the end of the release to provide this.Make sure the fingers are slightly over the top of the ball to keep it on alevel or downward trajectory.

    Sidearm ThrowThe sidearm throw (Fig. 6) lies between thejavelin and overhand throw in both distance andaccuracy, and also in its delivery. The arm isextended back slightly behind the body at a

    "three-quarters" angle, not straight to the sidebut just below shoulder level. The ball is deliveredwith a bit of a slinging, sweeping motion. Becausethe arm position is sideways, the best way to putbackspin on this throw is by passing the palm ofthe hand under the ball upon release, letting the ball roll off the middle andindex finger and the thumb. Again, keep the fingers over the top of theball so it stays low.

    Overhand ThrowThe overhand throw or "sling" is the longest but

    least accurate throw (Fig. 7). It can be a goodtechnique for very young players, sincesometimes they can actually throw it as far asthey can punt. The soccer ball is again controlledbetween the palm and forearm with a bent wrist.

    The arm is placed almost straight back, and asthe keeper steps into the throw, the arm isfully extended, elbow locked, and brought aroundin a circle, over the head, and released towardsthe target. The hand should end pointing at the target, and letting thefingertips roll under the ball at the finish can provide some backspin to helpthe ball roll smoothly.

    This is technically the most difficult throw. The hand must stay on top of the ballthroughout the 180 degrees or so of arc; centrifugal force keeps the ball in place,much like water stays in a bucket when it's whirled around on a rope. The elbow must

    remain locked until the release, and the release point is critical. Often times the elbow

    will bend as the ball comes over the head, destroying the flow of the throw. Make surethe elbow stays locked, the ball comes high over the head, and then is released.

    Fig. 5: Javelin Throw

    Fig. 6: Sidearm Throw

    Fig. 7: Overhand Throw

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    Tactics is decision-making. A goalkeeper's decisions must be made quickly, on the fly, takingrapidly changing conditions into account. A goalkeeper's decisions are also final, since there is

    usually no one behind them to back them up if they make a mistake. This section will cover a

    few key areas of goalkeeping decision-making.

    Never Give Up!

    Perhaps this should go under Psychology, but a goalkeeper should always remember to

    never give up on a shot. This is especially true on deflections or breakaways - the goalkeeperwho is ready to spring to their feet and try again just might get a chance to make another save.

    Remember that the shooter is just as likely to flub as the goalkeeper, and the goalkeeper should

    always be ready to take advantage of the opponent's mistakes.

    Don't Act, React

    Strangely, the first decision a keeper should make when facing a shot is to not make a decision atall! Instead, the keeper should react to a situation as it develops, rather than acting right away.

    They should stay patient until the right moment comes. Some rules of thumb for keepers:

    Force the shooter to decide. Put the pressure on the attacker - make themdecide what they should do. If the keeper is already in good position andprepared, they shouldn't need to act too soon.

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    Be ready to pounce on a mistake. As soon as an attacker makes amistake - a poor touch or pass, a weak shot - that's the goalkeeper's momentto charge in. Look for that opportunity.

    Be ready to react the moment the ball is shot. It is easy to time theshooter and see exactly when the shot will come. Just before the shot is takenthe keeper should get into the ready position, able to spring whatever waythe shot goes.

    Don't Guess! Guessing what an attacker will do should be reserved forpenalty kicks, and even then it is not sheer guesswork. Chances are a guesswill be wrong, and once the keeper has gone the wrong way it may beimpossible to recover.

    Coming Off the Line

    Inexperienced keepers struggle with trying to decide when to come off

    their line. This is certainly a difficult decision to make, since it

    depends on both the situation on the field - attacker's speed and ability,positions of other players on both offense and defense - and the

    keeper's ability and confidence.

    The decision will be made a little easier if the keeper starts from a

    good position. In general, the position of the keeper in the penaltyarea should match the position of the ball on the soccer field. If the

    ball is in the attacking third, the keeper should be in the front third of

    the penalty area; ball at midfield, keeper about 6-12 yards out, ball in

    the defensive end, keeper close to their line. If the keeper is young andsmall, or the opposing team like to shoot long, high looping shots,

    adjust the position back towards the goals a few yards.

    Position from the middle to the top of the penalty area helps thegoalkeeper get to long through balls more quickly (even intercepting

    and clearing them outside the area if necessary), and also puts the

    keeper in the play for use as an outlet for a defender under pressure. Even when they are back,

    the keeper should stay a minimum of 1-2 yards off the goal line to maintain some angle. A

    goalkeeper who stays rooted on the line not only concedes the better part of the penalty area to

    the attacking team, but gives them the most net to shoot at when they do get close (seebasic

    positioning).

    A very common question I get asked is, "When should I come out?" I think this is the wrong

    question. It should be, "How should I come out?" I think that the exact timing is much less

    critical than coming out hard and decisively and not second-guessing. This is not just forbreakaways, but applies to any attempt at the ball (handling crosses, long through balls, etc).

    The goalkeeper should:

    Pick a moment when they have a clear shot at the ball, and then Come hard for the ball without hesitating or stopping.

    Fig. 1: Keeper's

    position in penalty

    area should match

    ball's position onthe field

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    Slow down just as they reach the ball carrier, leaving a couple of arms'lengths of space as a cushion.

    The second item here is key. Many a goal has been scored because the keeper was

    indecisive and got caught in "no-man's land", neither attacking the ball or being in

    good shot-stopping position. Once the keeper decides they're gong for the ball,

    they must go through with it; they must at least make some contact with the ball.Once the keeper gets near the ball, they must slow down and leave some space to

    prevent being dribbled by the attacker.

    Never start a run by backing up. They should check the posts, look around at the situation,

    wait for the right moment, but the keeper should do all of this while on their toes and ready to

    move forward. (Any backpedalling should have been done previously, well before the keeper'scharge. See the Breakaway section for more details.

    Young and inexperienced goalkeepers may lack the confidence to come hard on a breakaway or

    out for a high cross. Build confidence by first teaching them proper techniques, and slowly

    building into game situations - no pressure, then light pressure, then heavy traffic. A keeper whois confident in their footwork, catching ability, and other techniques will have less to worry

    about when the time comes to be aggressive.

    When to Dive

    Younger and inexperienced goalkeepers often wonder when they should dive. The answer is,

    "almost never". A good goalkeeper minimizes the need to dive by being in good position,

    aggressively sweeping up loose balls, and challenging shooters. A dive should only be usedas a last resort, and always after the shot has been taken. The keeper should stay on their

    feet as long as possible - once they've dived, they're committed and can't change their mind if the

    shooter does something else.

    A dive is the ultimate and desperate reaction to a shot, it should only be used in ultimate anddesperate situations.

    Communicating With Defenders

    Communication is a key for every player on the soccer field, and especially so for the

    goalkeeper. Once the keeper has made a decision, the defenders need to know what it is. The

    goalkeeper also must be a organizer and general on the field - they are the only player who facesthe field the whole time and are the best positioned to see the development of the play.

    The keeper should know at least these two basic calls:

    "Keeper!": this means the goalkeeper is making a play on the ball,defenders should get out of the way.

    "Away!": this means the opposite - the keeper is notgoing after the ball andthe defense should pursue it. It is usually used for crosses or corners.

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    The keeper must yell these commands loudly and repeat them if necessary. There must beno doubt in anyone's mind who's ball it is! This even includes the opposing team - forwards will

    sometimes back off if they think the keeper is coming hard.

    The keeper should also direct traffic and position defenders on the field. Don't expect a lot of this

    to occur with young keepers, especially those who don't play in goal full time, but with

    experience a 14 or 15 year old full-time goalkeeper should be able to scan the field and the setthe defense as necessary. To do this, the keeper must be a student of the game - they must know:

    The defensive scheme used by the team and how the coach wants thedefenders to play

    Tendencies and strengths of the opposing team and opposing players The role of first defender, second defender, third defender to make

    adjustments on the fly The role of first, second and third attackers to help anticipate how the attack

    may develop

    In short, they must be a second coach out on the soccer field. This is a tall order for a youth

    soccer player, but here are a few points that will help develop this.

    Be loud and repetitive. It can be hard to hear out on the field, especiallyfor someone on the ball with their head down. Make sure the message getsthrough.

    Be specific with commands. Yelling "Mark up!" or "Who's on #10?" oftenisn't enough - tell specific players what to do ("John, mark #10" or "Ashley,Kristy, shift one mark to the right").

    Work from the ball outwards. The keeper should focus on the ball carrierfirst, and arrange defenders near the ball first. When danger is less imminent,set the defenders who are further away.

    Arrange to get feedback from defenders. It can be eye contact, a waveof the hand, a verbal okay, but have defenders let the goalkeeper know theywere heard. The goalkeeper will be able to shift focus knowing the defenderis set, and the defender won't have the keeper yelling at them for somethingthey already heard.

    If they keeper does not call, the defenders must take responsibility.The defense should never assume the keeper has a ball unless the keepercalls for it; they should go for the ball unless they hear otherwise. A fewcollisions with their own defense in practice should quickly teach a quietkeeper the value of calling loudly for the ball!

    Communication between the goalkeeper and defenders is a key to making the defense function as

    a unit.

    Setting a Wall

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    If the opponent is given a free kick within 10-20 yards

    of the penalty area (or an indirect kick inside the

    penalty area), the standard defense is to make a "wall"

    of two or more players the minimum 10 yards from the

    spot of the kick. This wall serves to block part of the

    goal from the shooter so that the goalkeeper only has

    to worry about guarding a small portion of the goalmouth. However, if the wall is not properly positioned, it

    my actually do more harm than good!

    The wall must be set up quickly, following these basic guidelines:

    One defender must identify themselves as the outside "anchor" of the wall.Make sure everyone knows who this is; they should raise their hand andmake eye contact with the keeper. Some teams may wish to identify thisplayer ahead of time, even in practice sessions.

    The goalkeeper must choose how many players will be in the wall. The more

    extreme the angle, the fewer players. Two players is sufficient for a ball closeto the end line; the keeper might want as many as five or even six in the wallfor a straight on shot. The exact number will depend on the situation and howmuch goal the keeper feels confident covering.

    The goalkeeper sets the "anchor" just outside a line between the soccer balland the near post (Fig. 1). This covers the near part of the goal with a littleoverlap to prevent balls from bending around the wall. The keeper will usuallydash over to the near post to sight from the post to the ball to make surethings are positioned properly. While doing this the keeper is way out ofposition, so speed is essential! Some teams prefer to free the keeper of thisduty by using a forward, who lines up the wall by sighting from behindtheball back towards the goalpost.

    The other players line up against the "anchor" player to the inside of the goal.Players need to be right against one another so no ball can slip through thewall.

    Once the wall is set, the goalkeeper moves to cover the space between the inside of

    the wall and the far post.

    On rare occasions, the attacking team will win an indirect free kick in the penalty area that is less

    than 10 yards from the goal. (More on this in theLaws page.) What to do then? Defenders are

    allowed to be closer than ten yards to the ball, provided they are on the goal line andbetween the goalposts. The wall, then, will actually be set in the goal. The tallest players

    available should be on the goal line, to prevent a chip shot under the crossbar. Since this can onlyhappen on an indirect kick, one defender should be designated as the "bullet man" to rush theball as soon as it is touched and disrupt a subsequent shot.

    Most teams almost never practice this situation; I have seen it occur only a handful of times in

    thousands of games I've seen. But a good goalkeeper is prepared for any situation, and if they're

    aware of this provision of the laws, they can organize things quickly if it should ever occur.

    Fig. 1: Setting a Wall

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    Handling Corners

    Key points for handling corner kicks:

    Anything within the 6-yard box in the air shouldbelong to the keeper! Older players should be

    able to extend their range even beyond this.Train your keepers in traffic so they will have theconfidence to collect corners and crosses in theirgoal box.

    Start position will vary, but I prefer a spot about2/3 to 3/4 of the way to the far post (Fig. 2). This is because it is easier tomove forward quickly than backwards. The area the keeper should easily beable to cover is shaded in gray.

    Always position a defender on the near post, shoulder right up against it andfacing the corner. This player is there to clear away hard driven shots to thenear post that the keeper can't get to.

    For balls hit over the head past the far post, track the ball, leave it late and

    either punch it wide or be ready for a shot or deflection from the far side (theyellow shaded area in Figure 2). Some goalkeepers or coaches like to stationa player at the far post to handle these, similar in duties to the near-postdefender. I prefer to have this defender marking rather than standing at thefar post.

    Handling Back Passes

    The goalkeeper must sometimes make themselves available as an outlet for a

    defender under pressure. However, if done incorrectly, a backpass to the

    goalkeeper can result in tragedy - an uncontested givaway in front of the net or

    even an own goal. Here are key points for back passes to the keeper.

    The goalkeeper must ask for the ball. Don't ever back pass to keeper whoisn't expecting it!

    The keeper who is making themselves available must move away from thegoal and outside the near post. This puts them in the least vulnerableposition should the pass go awry.

    The passer must pass with good pace and outside the near post. Manyown goals have been scored by defenders who passed inside the post andmissed connecting with their keeper.

    Once the ball is received, the keeper must clear it quickly, preferrably withone or two touches. Switching fields is often a good option to get the ball

    away from pressure. This is a skill that must be practiced!

    Fig. 2: Corner Kick

    Setup

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    The penalty kick was introduced to soccer in 1891 to combat the growing use of illegal means to

    prevent goals, particularly by handling the ball. In 1905, the requirement was added that thekeeper stay on the goal line until the ball was kicked. This denied the goalkeeper the liberty to

    advance up to six yards, which resulted in "too many" unsuccessful penalties. In 1929, aprohibition on the keeper's lateral movement was imposed, but was generally ignored. ThisRestriction was repealed in 1997, in recognition (or resignation?) of the fact that goalkeepers

    were moving along the line anyway. See theLaws pagefor more details on penalty kick rules.

    As the Laws of the game of soccer currently stand, the goalkeeper must be on the goal line

    between the goalposts, and may not move forward until the ball is struck. All other players areoutside the penalty area, at least ten yards from the ball and behind it. The shooter is identified,

    the keeper and other players take up their position, the referee signals, and the pressure is on!

    For the goalkeeper, a penalty-kick really is a no-lose situation. The keeper is not expected to

    make the save, so the pressure is on the shooter (the conversion rate of penalty kicks, at all levelsof soccer, is 80-90%). But there are tricks a goalkeeper can use to increase their odds of making

    the save.

    The days of guess and dive are over. The goalkeeper should learn to "read" the shooter to try to

    predict where the ball is going. Combined, perhaps, with scouting reports on shooters, andstatistics on general tendencies, a keeper can do much better than 50% in picking direction.

    Although picking the correct direction doesn't always mean the keeper can make the save, it

    gives them a head start.

    Reading the Shooter

    Watch the shooter's eyes and overall demeanor. Often they will giveaway small clues before they are ever ready to shoot, like peeking at thecorner they are aiming for.

    Watch the approach. Is it straight on, or wide? A very wide approach oftenindicates the shooter is going towards the opposite corner. A straight-onapproach gives fewer clues.

    Watch the plant foot. The ball will go where the plant foot points. Watch the hips. The ball goes where the hips point. A "push pass" shot will

    require the hips to open up in the direction the ball is going. Watch the head. If the shooter drops their head low with a big pull-back of

    the leg, it usually means a cross-body shot. If the head stays up more, it can

    mean the shooter will stay open to push the ball to the opposite corner. Don't react too soon. Use the cues above to predict where the ball might

    go, and be readyto go that way, but wait a split second to be sure it really isgoing there. The keeper might think one direction based on the shooter'seyes and approach, but the plant foot and hips may tell a different story justbefore the ball is struck.

    General Tendencies

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    A study done of all the penalties taken in the 1998 World Cup (including shootouts)

    noted that almost 70% of the kicks taken went to the opposite side from the kicker's

    dominant foot (that is, right-footed kickers shot to their left -- keeper's right -- and

    vice versa). (See Goalkeeper Soccer Training Manual, DiCicco 2000.) This is the

    natural swing of the foot across the body; it is difficult to put the ball to the other

    corner with an instep kick. So, if all else fails, the keeper should go right for a right-

    footed kicker and left for a left footer.

    Don't Act, React

    Also, the goalkeeper should react quickly, but not too quickly. Many penalties,

    especially at the youth level, are poorly taken, either weakly hit or right down the

    middle. Often the goalkeeper can easily make the save if they just wait and simply

    react to the shot.

    Even "reading the shooter" is a reaction to what the shooter does, and not just guesswork.

    A veteran goalkeeper will use all of this, plus their gut feel from years of experience, to try tosave a penalty. Brad Friedel says, "Generally there are loads of subtle little hints as to where a

    player will shoot that they give to the goalkeeper. How he runs up to the soccer ball, how he

    stands, if his weight's back, if his weight's forward, if he's looking at you the whole time, if hetakes a long run as opposed to a short run. There are lots of little differences but you will never

    really get the gist of it unless you practice a lot of them and figure out what works best for you."

    The position of goalkeeper is one of the most psychologically demanding on the soccer field.

    Mistakes are final. The glory is usually reserved for the players at the other end of the field. It'snot a position for everybody. You can't be stupid and play goal, but perhaps you must be a little

    crazy.

    A coach must, of necessity, be a part-time psychologist, and nowhere is this more important thanfor the goalkeeper, where confidence is key. I am not a sports psychologist, nor do I play one on

    TV, but here are a few ideas I have found a coach can use to help a goalkeeper's mental

    toughness and attitude.

    Only play those who want to play in goalIn youth soccer, everyone is encouraged to try all positions. However, I wouldnot include goalkeeper in that category, at least in game situations. It doesno good to put someone in the box who simply does not want to be there. Itcan be shattering for a youngster to be scored upon. If you must, tryeveryone in practices, but limit game play to those who want to be (or atleast, don't mind being) in net.

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    Stay positive when goals are scoredIt can be tough to be positive, especially when a simple lapse has just let inthe game-losing goal with seconds to play. Goalkeepers need to be able toput mistakes behind them quickly and recover, so try to put a positive spin onthings:

    o Credit the shooter. Sometimes the opposing team has just made agreat play; give them credit - it's not always a mistake by the keeper

    that lets a goal in.o Don't dwell on it. Help the goalkeeper shake it off quickly, make a fast

    coaching point if necessary, and move on once the kickoff has beentaken. You can cover problems in more depth at the next practice.

    o Look for the technique that needs improvement. Focus on the skillthat needs work, not the fact that the goal was allowed. Very often it's

    just basic footwork or catching that needs brushing up. Give credit for other than direct saves

    A keeper can keep the soccer ball out of the net in more ways than making adirect save - forcing a missed shot gets the job done too. Aggressivenessgoes a long way here - by making the shooter decide too early, a keeper canforce a miss or a pass on an otherwise open shot. A goalkeeper who can getinto the heads of opposing forwards early has a huge advantage.

    Don't panic after a saveThis applies to both coach and goalkeeper. Give the keeper time tointernalize the save (builds confidence), calm down, give field players time torecover, and look upfield to restart the attack. Six seconds is plenty of time todo all this. If you stay calm, you're showing that you have confidence in thekeeper's ability to control the ball and the game.

    Help the keeper develop good habitsTeach them good technique, then hammer it in with repetition. Don't allowany lazy or sloppy technique, even when they're not officially doing drills orplaying. Good habits will show themselves in games just like bad habits.Repetition is the key; doing it right everytime (consistency) is whatseparates a good goalkeeper from a great one.

    Don't allow less than full effort, every time, every shotEvery shot deserves an attempt at a save, even if it seems futile. Eventually,the shots that seemed impossible to stop before will start coming into range.If the effort is there, the results will start to come.

    If things aren't going well, pull the goalkeeper with careMany coaches will pull a keeper if they are getting shelled, but be aware ofthe repercussions of this. Some players will take this as a sign you lackconfidence in them, and only go downhill. Make sure you stay positive, andpoint out you're not pulling them because they are a poor player or person,

    just that it's not their day. Encourage additional training

    There isn't always time to properly train a keeper in normal practice sessions,especially when that player needs to develop foot and field skills as well.Encourage them to attend club or private training sessions, goalkeepercamps, rent or buy books or videos, or visit this and other web sites. A playerwho is serious about goalkeeping needs all the extra training and practicethey can get.

    Law 1 - The Field of Play

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    Although the soccer field and its markings are often taken for granted by the

    players unless there is something obviously wrong, it can be helpful for the

    goalkeeper to know the dimensions of the lines on the field. A keeper will use these

    lines more than anyone else on the field to determine their positioning. Before the

    game, scan the lines and make sure they are all square and at proper distances. In

    particular, the penalty spot is often not marked or mis-marked. If it is off, don't

    use it as a guide to get centered in goal.

    Law 4 - The Players' Equipment

    Law 4 says "each goalkeeper wears colors which distinguish him from the other

    players, the referee and the assistant referees." This is the only requirement.

    Tradition allows the keeper to use equipment that is not specified for field players:

    gloves, long pants, or hats. The referee always has final say on what is allowable; if

    he deems something to be unsafe, it may not be worn.

    Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play

    Law 8 has a section called "Special Circumstances" that players, especially

    goalkeepers, should be aware of. It has to do with the placement of the ball on free

    kicks inside the goal area. Essentially, any free kick for the defense inside their own

    goal area is like a goal kick - it may be taken from anywhere in the goal area and

    must leave the penalty area before it is in play.

    For indirect free kicks for attackers in their opponents' goal area, the kick is taken from the goal

    area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the foul occured. Thus, no free kick

    can be taken from closer than six yards to the goal. More on this special circumstance below the

    section on free kicks.

    Law 9 - The Ball In and Out of Play

    Although he is (usually!) a bit more mobile than the goalposts, the referee is

    considered to be part of the soccer field when it comes to play. A ball rebounding off

    the referee (or off an assistant referee, if for some reason they are on the field of

    play) is still in play.

    Law 10 - The Method of Scoring

    Simple as it seems, I have come across players who did not know that the entire

    ball must be past the goal line for the goal to count. The outside of the chalked line

    is the t