| The soccer goalkeeping position is one of the most | | | | position is to get into games and play. The more you |
| physically and mentally demanding positions on the | | | | play, the quicker you will learn. Will you make |
| soccer team. The player in that position is the last line | | | | mistakes? Yes, and a lot of them. Don't let that |
| of defense, and the first line of attack. When you | | | | discourage you. Every player makes mistakes when |
| begin to learn to coach youth soccer, and to get to | | | | they learn to play soccer. It's just that the keepers |
| learn more about the different positions, don't forget | | | | mistakes are more noticeable, and there is nobody |
| to spend time developing players for this position. | | | | playing behind them to fix their mistakes. |
| Here are 7 tips for being successful as a soccer | | | | 5. Make the Attacker Commit |
| goalkeeper. | | | | A good keeper knows when to go out after the ball, |
| 1. Focus on the Ball | | | | and when to stay back and wait for the play to |
| One of the toughest jobs for a keeper is to ignore | | | | come to them. A big mistake is to go out too soon |
| everything that is happening on the field in front of | | | | instead of waiting for the attacker to commit to the |
| them, and keep their eye on the ball. You need to be | | | | play. When you go out after the ball too soon you |
| able to see the ball through a tangle of legs in front | | | | give the attacker the opportunity to pass or dribble |
| of the goal in order to know when it gets within your | | | | around you. If you wait (but not too long) the |
| reach. This is true whether the ball is coming at you | | | | attacker will have to commit to either passing or |
| or all the way on the other end of the field. When | | | | taking the shot. Once they commit you are in a much |
| the keeper loses sight of the ball, they get scored | | | | better position to successfully stop the ball. |
| on. | | | | 6. Know Where the Goal Is |
| 2. Don't Get Caught in the Box | | | | Most keepers typically play about a yard away from |
| A mistake many young soccer goalkeepers make is | | | | the goal line when the attack is coming at them. |
| to feel afraid to leave the 18-yard box to go after | | | | However, when your team has the ball the keeper |
| the ball. You need to remember that your job is to | | | | will play further away from the net. Make sure you |
| stop the ball before it reaches your goal. Sometimes | | | | know exactly where the goal is regardless of where |
| that means going out after the ball. A word of | | | | you are on the field. |
| caution: don't get too over confident when you get a | | | | 7. Don't Be Timid |
| few successes leaving the box. While it is something | | | | The soccer goalkeeping position is the most physically |
| you have to so when the situation calls for it, if you | | | | and mentally demanding positions on the field. It |
| do it too often you will get burned. | | | | requires concentration and a willingness to dive |
| 3. Know When to Jump | | | | through kicking feet in order to grab the ball. It is not |
| One of the more dramatic plays in soccer is when | | | | a position for the faint of heart. You need to have a |
| the keeper leaps to the side to get to successfully | | | | certain amount of aggressiveness, and to be willing |
| stop a shot on goal. It is one of the tools a | | | | to take on players, regardless of their size. When |
| successful goalkeeper needs to develop. Along with | | | | you play in fear, you will hesitate to make the moves |
| that knowledge is the knowledge of when to use | | | | that are necessary for your success, and you will get |
| that tool. When you jump for balls that you cannot | | | | scored on. |
| reach you are taking away your ability to recover for | | | | The soccer goalkeeper is one of the most important, |
| the next shot. If the ball does reflect off of another | | | | and least appreciated players on the field As you |
| player, or off the post, you will be lying on the | | | | learn to coach youth soccer, and learn more about |
| ground, unable to do your job. | | | | the different soccer positions, make sure you spend |
| 4. Learn From Experience | | | | time developing a solid goalkeeper. Your team's |
| The best way to learn how to play the goalkeeper | | | | success depends on it. |