| There is a maxim that states that 'good is the | | | | attackers. |
| enemy of great'. However, having a good goalkeeper | | | | 6) Agility |
| is surely a great advantage. All great goalkeepers | | | | Having a huge physical presence means little if agility |
| were once good. They had a range of mental, | | | | is lacking. Good goalkeepers must be active and |
| physical and technical attributes that later allowed | | | | move quickly in goal. Anything can happen in soccer; |
| them to go beyond 'good' goalkeeping. As arguably | | | | even having to stop three consecutive shots is a |
| the most demanding specialist position on a soccer | | | | possibility. Agility makes a goalkeeper above par. |
| team, a goalkeeper relies on myriad skills. | | | | 7) Anticipation and Awareness |
| 1) Basic soccer skills | | | | Proper distribution to begin an attack is the hallmark |
| Although goalkeepers can use their hands, they may | | | | of a good goalie. Cognition of the positioning of |
| not always be willing and able to do so in a game | | | | attackers and the opponent's line of attack is always |
| situation. Passing the ball, heading the ball, punting the | | | | an advantage to good keepers. Good anticipation |
| ball and good ball control are some basic soccer skills | | | | allows goaltenders to predict moves by attackers |
| that a good goalkeeper finds necessary to have. | | | | based on experience and body movements- without |
| 2) Ball handling | | | | moving prematurely. |
| Goalkeepers' ball handling is the most obvious criteria | | | | 8) Judgement |
| for determining their worth. Catching, throwing, | | | | Soccer is a 'thinking' game and the keeper's position |
| parrying and collecting the ball are the essential skills | | | | exemplifies this. A good soccer goalie must judge |
| for this position. A good goalkeeper also knows when | | | | when to dive, when to come off the line, when to |
| to use a particular catching technique in dealing with | | | | contest a ball inside or outside the penalty area. |
| balls into the penalty area. | | | | 9) Command of the penalty area |
| 3) Positioning | | | | A good goalkeeper is a real team player; marshalling |
| A poor goalkeeper is regularly caught in bad positions- | | | | the defence, helping the team to keep its shape and |
| positions from which the ball cannot be saved. Good | | | | communicating with teammates to establish clear lines |
| goalkeepers are not often caught making sprawling | | | | of responsibility. |
| dives where the ball is far from them still or being | | | | 10) Commitment |
| beaten on their near post. | | | | Good goalkeepers must remain mentally and |
| 4) Quick reflexes | | | | physically committed throughout the game. They |
| Split seconds can separate a great save from a goal. | | | | never give up and stay focused throughout, |
| The proficient goalkeeper can produce fine 'reaction | | | | regardless of the game situation. At a micro level, |
| saves' every so often to bail out the defence. Quick | | | | goalkeepers often put themselves in danger to |
| reflexes are also helpful in stopping rebounds. Good | | | | prevent goals. |
| reflexes turn goalkeepers into match savers. | | | | A good soccer goalkeeper masters the basics of the |
| 5) Physical presence | | | | craft, but has extra attributes and mental fortitude. |
| Several goalkeepers are above six feet tall. However, | | | | Good goalkeeping does not require the flamboyance |
| physical presence is much more than height. Good | | | | of Chilavert, Higuita or Barthez. However, a range of |
| shot-stoppers know how to make themselves large | | | | mental, physical and technical attributes is a |
| targets for attackers, stay on their feet for as long | | | | pre-requisite. In a position where one is more often a |
| as possible and reduce the angles and options for | | | | goat than a hero; all of the attributes are required |
| attackers. Good goalkeepers even use their physical | | | | just to be considered good. |
| presence to stamp their authority on the minds of | | | | |