Paul Sapsford, Cal-North Director of Coaching

Discuss… Why does the ‘keeper need to be mentally strong?

What psychological attributes would your ideal ‘keeper possess?

Fundamental Goalkeeper Psychology Your goalkeeper’s mental strength will be tested because

they will have to bounce back from embarrassing errors.

It’s crucial that mistakes are not perceived as failure, but as lessons on what to do differently next time & what to work on in practice (recommended reading: Carol Dweck “Mindset”)

The ‘keepers mindset must be that talent comes through effort & practice – not talent is innate (recommended reading: Matthew Syed “Bounce”)

Also, there might be games in which they’re not involved for long periods, so their concentration is tested.

Their ability to stay ‘in the moment’ is one of the most overlooked attributes of a successful ‘keeper.

Fundamental Goalkeeper Psychology Confidence is crucial. To promote this analyze self-talk, the

conversations you have with yourself, everyone has them, no-one like to talk about them!

Become a great actor, act confident even if you aren’t feeling it

Accept applause, but don’t expect it (don’t let it be the reason for your motivation). Instead focus on effort to measure yourself

As the last line of defense, the goalkeeper can see everything. Thus, he/she must have first class communication skills. Being able to communicate in a calm, confident and assured manner builds optimism among teammates.

Does your ‘keeper possess emotional control, if not, why? Investigate how you can help them.

Coaching Points for Ready Position & Dealing with shots from various heights Ready Position: Feet should width apart, body weight

forward (over soles). Arms and hands outside the line of the body, palms facing toward the ball.

Before all shots described below assume the ‘keeper has time to get into line with the flight of the ball

When catching, the hands should contour the ball: Instructor will demonstrate the merits of various technique (for example; “W”, “Diamond” & “Bean”).

Coaching Points for dealing with shots from various heights Ground shots: Work on kneeling technique (feet & lower

body side-on to path of ball. Place knee toward the ground and scoop with the hands).

Navel-high shots: Contour the ball with the palms into the waist (Instructor to demonstrate contour catching technique).

For chest-high shots, ‘keeper will invariably make a high contour catch.

Head-high shots and above: Hands, fingers and thumbs are positioned behind the ball upon its reception. Fingers should be spread and relaxed. The arms are also relaxed and used as shock-absorbers to take the power out of the shot.

Ready position & shots from various heights

GK Safe hands game

Safe hands game with 3 ‘keepers

Goalkeeper end zone game

Goalkeeper Diving Technique When working with younger ‘keepers practice diving from

the knees before progressing to standing.

The key landing points of the body when diving are the hips and the side of the rib cage. Novice ‘keepers are prone to landing on their knees and elbows, so watch for these errors.

Collapse dive: This for shots close to the body, where the foot closest to the ball is lifted and the body falls to the ground to get behind the ball.

Hands: When the height of the shot is along the ground place one hand behind the ball, and the other on top of the ball, thereby utilizing the ground as the 3rd hand.

Goalkeeper Diving Technique Shots further from the body: Move the body weight onto the leg

nearest the ball and drive of that leg to reach the ball.

When diving, ‘keeper should be encouraged to dive through the ball.

Catching high shots while diving: Hands positioned behind the ball, and if possible, just prior to landing place the ball to the ground before the body contacts the ground. Thus using the ball to break your fall. If the ‘keeper feels they are unable to catch the ball while diving they should deflect the ball away to safety or out for a corner, but never out toward the middle of the goal.

When deflecting the ball over the bar the 2-handed technique is used when the shot is powerful, and the GK’s body is square to the shot. However, if the ‘keeper is having to back-pedal for a chip a side-on stance and 1-handed approach is preferred. The 1-handed technique also provides greater reach.

Goalkeeper Diving technique

Goalkeepers’ positioning for shot-stopping The goalkeeper is continually adjusting his/her

position when the ball moves to achieve the correct positioning prior to saving a shot. The diagram on the next slide illustrates this. Notice that for wide shots the ‘keeper is positioned slightly closer to his/her near post. If they fail to do this the near post shot becomes of greater concern as the ‘keeper has less time to react to this shot.

GK’s positioning for shot-stopping

GK drill for shot-stopping & angles

1v1s and ‘Narrowing the angle’ When the ‘keeper realizes a through-ball has

penetrated his/her last line of defense, and there’s little chance of their recovery, he/she should come out quickly to ‘narrow the angle’.

They must realize the potential for being chipped if they come out to soon, and too quickly.

When the forward is within 10 yards they must make short steps and be able to put the breaks on in an instant. As the forward gets closer the ‘keepers hands should be lowered, and the knees bent.

It’s important that the ‘keeper does not ‘leave their feet’ too soon, as this will take pressure off the forward by easing his/her decision.

1v1s and ‘Narrowing the angle’

When the ‘keeper perceives a shot is coming from the forward, he/she should spread their body to create a long and wide barrier to block the shot.

Going down feet first should is not recommended because it provides the opposition with rebound opportunities. Furthermore, going down feet first narrows the ‘keepers body position, thus making the goal appear bigger to the opponent.

1v1s & narrowing the angle

1v1s Following a Through Ball

Goalkeeper footwork

The ‘keeper requires fast footwork to enable him/her the ability to get into line with the ball’s flight as soon as possible. A dive may be necessary if this cannot be achieved.

The goalkeeper’s footwork across the goal depends on the distance needed to cover.

If the distance is short use a shuffle step.

If the distance approximately 4-6 yards, use a scissor step.

For longer than 6 yards turn and sprint to the ball.

Crossing of the legs should be avoided, because if the shot is deflected the ‘keepers reaction time is slower.

Change of direction saves (1)

Change of direction saves (2)

Footwork & shot stopping

GK drill for reaction saves and dealing with obscured view

Technique for goal-kick & punt Coaching points for goal kick: Approach the ball from

approximately 30 degree angle. Plant foot points to target, and is placed beside the ball (slightly behind the ball for more loft), but approximately 12 inches to the side of the ball. This allows the kicking foot the room to slide under the ball thus generating height and backspin. The sole and the toe of the kicking foot remain low through impact, and the kicking foot comes around the plant leg.

Coaching points for GK punt: The basic method is to drop the ball in front of the kicking foot with 1 or 2 hands, however the most important point is that the toe of the kicking foot should be pointing down or forwards (but never up) upon impact. Make contact underneath the middle of the ball.

Throwing Techniques The Sling: The goalkeeper’s stance is side-on, and for

right handed throwers, the left foot is forward. Use the left hand to sight your target, and sling the ball with a straight right arm. Follow through transferring the weight onto the left foot (for right handers).

The Baseball throw has less distance but tends to be more accurate than the sling. The key difference being that it is thrown with a bent arm.

The Roll is an underhand technique akin to a bowling action. It is used when the receiver wants the ball rolled to their feet.

GK soccer tennis for punts &/or goal-kicks

GK techniques for crosses Firstly, the ‘keeper must accurately assess the flight of the

ball by judging the line, pace and trajectory of the balls’ flight.

Based on this assessment the ‘keeper decides to come for the cross and shout “’keepers” or stay between the posts and shout “away” (to alert his/her defenders to head/volley clear).

If the ‘keeper decides to come for the ball he/she should move late, but quickly to the ball. This will allow them to build momentum into their jump for the ball. If the ‘keeper moves too quickly, and stands stationary before the catch, he/she could be impeded by the momentum of other players. Utilizing this technique, also increases the elevation in the ‘keepers jump toward the ball.

‘Keeper techniques for crosses If the cross is high and deep, consider making an early

movement toward the back post, then attack the ball, to provide forward momentum prior to the catch.

When leaping for the ball a 1-footed take-off is preferred, this allows the ‘keeper the chance to protect themselves with the raised knee.

The ‘keeper should try to catch the ball in front of them, so if it’s dropped a recovery is possible. If the ‘keeper tries to catch the ball behind their head, they may lose sight of the ball if it’s dropped. Arms should be outstretched to take the ball at its high point, but within the ‘keepers range.

‘Keeper techniques for crosses If the ‘keeper decides to punch they may use wither a 1-fisted or

2-fisted technique. If the ‘keeper can attack the ball when their body is in line with

the flight of the ball a 2-fisted punch will achieve greater distance

If the ‘keeper approaches the ball across the line of flight (i.e. they cannot get into line with the ball), then a 1-fisted technique is preferred. Crosses from the ‘keepers left should be punched with the left fist, and crosses from the right should be punched with the right.

Make contact with the bottom half of the ball and follow through to achieve height and distance on your punch. This should provide your defenders sufficient time to recover and move away from their goal.

The next slide illustrates good positioning for crosses from different angles…..

‘keepers’ starting position for crosses

The Crossing Game

Game realistic training for GK’s