| One important aspect when learning how to coach | | | | Your goalkeeper should also learn to become a field |
| soccer that is often overlooked is how to use your | | | | general. More than any other player, they are in a |
| goalkeeper. For many youth soccer programs, the | | | | position to see everything that is happening on the |
| keeper is an afterthought. When all of the other | | | | field. Once they learn the game, many teams |
| positions are filled the coach looks to see who is left | | | | expect the keeper to be able to direct other players |
| on the bench that could be put in goal. Many times | | | | where to position themselves on the field. When |
| that ends up being the slower, less athletic players. | | | | the opposition is attacking, it is the keeper that |
| That is a big mistake. | | | | directs the defenders, telling them who they should |
| One of the first lessons you should learn when you | | | | cover, and pointing out open players that might pose |
| begin to learn how to coach soccer is the importance | | | | a threat. |
| of a well trained goalkeeper. In reality, the | | | | Your goalkeeper should be a player that can keep an |
| goalkeeper is the last line of defense and the first line | | | | eye on the ball without being distracted by all of the |
| of offense. What that means is, after your defense | | | | action that is occurring around the ball. They need |
| has broken down, the goalkeeper is the last person | | | | quick reactions so they can catch the ball when it |
| that can prevent a goal from being scored against | | | | comes their way, or at the very least punch it away |
| your team. Once they have the ball in their control, | | | | from the goal. They also need to be agile enough |
| the keeper is the one that distributes the ball to get | | | | that when they dive for a ball they can quickly get |
| your team back on offense. | | | | back to their feet to get themselves in position for |
| It takes a special temperament to play soccer | | | | the next save. |
| goalkeeper. It is definitely not for the faint of | | | | What that means is that this position requires much |
| heart. It takes a willingness to dive for the ball, | | | | more than the least athletically able person on the |
| even if other players are trying to get a foot on the | | | | team. It requires speed, agility, courage, and a |
| ball. It takes a person that will not crumble | | | | willingness to do whatever it takes to stop the ball |
| emotionally after every score. While other players | | | | from getting to the back of the net. The more you |
| can make a mistake and not have it count against | | | | can learn about how to coach a soccer goalkeeper, |
| the team, a mistake by the keeper usually results in | | | | the more you will be able to keep your teams in a |
| a score. | | | | position to win games. |