Goalkeeper CommunicationStarting from the Back: What GKs Needs to Say & Why(Why – Where – When – How: Phrases and Situations)

Lou LiberatoreDirector of Goalkeeping@TSCGKProgram

Eric Vaughter Director of Goalkeeping@TSCgoalkeeping

Why Communicate

• IN-Possession• Increase GK’s Confidence and

Connectivity to the Team• Control Tempo of the Game

• Different Tones of Voice• Louder=More urgent/play quicker• Calmer=Slow the game down

• Maintain Team’s Shape and Avoid/Deny/Prevent the Counter• Ready to deal with the space behind

the back line

• Out-of-Possession• Prevent Shots and Goals

• Within Run of Play• Set-Pieces/Restarts

• Increase GK’s Confidence• Presence• Connection to Team

• Maintain Team’s Shape• Organization to Diffuse the Counter• Dealing with the Space Behind the

back line.

Keys to Good Communication

• Clear• Players can understand GK and in turn can respond

• Concise/Specific• Assign Responsibility to Field Players in Specific Moments

• Don’t just cheerlead• Pick key moments to give praise. i.e. – goal line clearance, important blocked shot/tackle

• More defensive organization than offensive organization.

• Tone/Volume• Demanding – Creates Urgency. i.e. - something needs to happen now!• Calm- Relax, helps player know they have time.

Age Considerations/ExpectationsCommunication Situations U8-U12 U13-U15 U15-U19

KEEPER! or AWAY! X X X

Assist Teammates w/MAN ON, USE ME, DROP or STEP X X X

Start to learn Set-Piece Situations (Corner and Shooting Freekick) X X X

Out-of-Possession: Runners, Defensive Line, Pressure on Ball/Shooter X X

Out-of-Possession: Setting Defensive Traps, When team steps, direction of pressure X

IN-Possession: Support Build up in Def 3rd, Step Team Up as we Build, Learn Deny Counter

X X

IN-Possession: Organize to Diffuse Counters, Team Shape X

Set-Pieces: Organize Teammates X X X

Set-Pieces: Begin to Make Decisions on Wall Placement/Numbers and Corners X X

Set-Pieces: Organize Based on Teammates Strengths or Game Situation X

OUT – OF – POSSESSION: TERMINOLOGY• ”KEEPER!”• “AWAY!”• “STEP!” or “OUT!” or ”STEP UP!”• “CONTAIN” – “DON’T DIVE IN” or “STAND ‘EM UP!!”• ”SLIDE” (right or left)• “WATCH WEAKSIDE/BACKPOST!”• “RIGHT or LEFT SHOULDER”• “STEP/SLIDE/HOLD/DROP”• “FORCE LEFT/RIGHT!” (replaces INSIDE/OUTSIDE)• “PRESSURE or CONTAIN/DELAY”• ”NO SHOT/NO CROSS”• EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC COMMUNICATION

• “(PLAYER NAME) BACK POST!”• “(PLAYER NAME) RIGHT SHOULDER, #11”

When to Communicate: Out-of-Possession

• When the ball is moving across channels• As the ball is traveling from

one opponent to another is a great time to organize.

1. MIKE, STEP to 7!2. JAYDEN, ELI DROP IN!3. MARK SEE 9 BACKPOST!4. ELI 11 – RIGHT SHOULDER

COMING IN!

• You won’t always get through all of these.

When to Communicate: Out-of-Possession • When the ball is in Wide-Channel

for Crossing• How can you keep play

predictable and have room to operate/come for the cross?

1. MARK FORCE 7 LEFT! NO CROSS

2. JAYDEN 10, MARK 9

3. JEFF 11 – RIGHT SHOULDER BACK POST!

4. NO DEEPER, HOLD PK!

• ONCE BALL IS CROSSED CALL KEEPER OR AWAY!!!• If you claim it, step us up:

if you yell AWAY; continue organizing.

When to Communicate: Out-of-Possession

• Pressure on the Shooter• How can you increase your save

percentage?

1. JEFF 11 FORCE LEFT2. ELI TIGHT ON 9!3. MARK FORCE 10 RIGHT4. JAYDEN TUCK-IN PK SPOT

• You won’t always have time to get through all 4 commands. But let’s assume Jayden knows to drop in to cover the back post.

When to Communicate: Out-of-Possession • Deal w/Space Behind

• The cue that the long ball is coming: Opposition’s 5 head comes up as our 9 presses

1. BACK 4 DROP OFF!!2. MIKE PICK UP 7!3. KEEPER!!! – winning ball

with feet or head outside area.

• This can be a challenging situation and points out the need to stay connected to the team and leave our 18s when our team has possession in attacking third.

When to Communicate: Out-of-Possession

• Set-Piece Situation• When the ball is wide channel to

deliver

1. JEFF , ELI BALL!! 2. NO DEEPER THAN 18!!3. MARK IN THE POCKET4. Assign man-marking

responsibilities

• Only go to the post to set the wall if referee points to whistle

• Why this order…?

IN-POSSESSION: Terminology

• ”TIME, TURN, or “MAN ON”• “STEP US UP, STEP TO MIDFIELD”• ”TURN OUTSIDE”• ”TUCK IN”• “BACK” or “YES” or ”USE ME”

• ”IF YOU NEED ME”• BODY LANGUGE CAN BE USED TO COMMUNICATE

• HAND GESTURE, POINTING, HEAD NODS

When to Communicate: In-Possession• Playing Out of the Back

• Instance of starting from a goal-kick

1. JAYDEN - SHAPE2. MARK (as you pass)3. (To Mark)-MAN ON! USE

ME – LEFT [adjust angle of support]

4. ELI (as you pass the ball)

• Be helpful in these moments, think about what you can say to help your teammates.

When to Communicate: In-Possession• Ball is in Middle Third

• Focus remains on back four, maybe holding mid.

1. JAYDEN STEP US UP, 2. ELI SEE JEFF!3. Position Adjustments in

this moment. (Can also Tell Mike to Tuck in)

4. When Jeff is on the ball, let midfield speak to him.

• Don’t joystick, once ball is truly in middle third; less is more.

When to Communicate: In-Possession• Ball is in Attacking Third

• Focus is on Back Line and staying organized if ball is lost.

1. JAYDEN STEP US TO HALF2. Position Adjustments in

this moment. (Can also Tell Mike to Tuck in Goalside of 7)

• Don’t joystick, once ball is truly in attacking third; less is more.

• Think are we numbers up if we lose ball?

Questions?

Thank you for coming! We will post to Tennessee Soccer Club – TV YouTube Channel