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Issue 7 - The Goalkeeper in Practice |
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by: Rob Walker
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As one practice rolls into another, every coach reminds him / herself to spend some time in each training session focusing on the play of the goalkeeper. In this issue, I'd like to give a few key points that might help the coach along the way. The examples below are those points that come up when the goalkeeper is involved in a group or team activity that falls under the realm of small sided play: from 3-a-side to 5-a-side. The Goalkeeper in Small Sided Play: 
In Possession of the ball-- (In Figure#1, X1 is the Goalkeeper) - The goalkeeper should start off the attack with a good first ball out.
- The goalkeeper should give a player (X2) good support, being careful not to get too close to the player, but giving a good option for the ball to be played back.
- The goalkeeper should deal effectively with "pass backs." Situations that are a little "sticky" (i.e. too much pressure on the ball) should be dealt with just as they are in the 11-a-side game.
- The goalkeeper should not take undo risks with the ball playing out of the back.
- The goalkeeper should be "on the balls of the feet," alert and ready to play.
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In Defense of Goal--
- The goalkeeper should work back into the goal area, giving him / herself room to handle shooting situations.
- The goalkeeper should take up good near-post positions, even in small-sided play.
- The goalkeeper should be ready to come off the line and "sweep" up clearance opportunities.
- The goalkeeper should communicate with effective "show 'em 'in' or show 'em 'out' "verbal information.
- The goalkeeper should execute good shot stopping techniques (from getting set, to handling shooting situations.
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Creating a more Challenging Opportunity
The diagram above is from a 3-a-side practice on a 20 x 30 yard field. The goals in the diagram are meant to be 3 yards wide. The same game (or larger "a-side" versions can be created by implementing some of the suggestions below. This is particularly relevant and the goalkeepers progress (in experience and age):
- Change the goal width to 6 yards.
- Use a small-sided (PVC type goal)
- Put in a full size goal (older players may need to enlarge the field to 25 x 35 or 30 x 40 yards).
- Create a restriction that calls for the first ball out must be played to the front target player (X3 in the diagram).
- Create a restriction that calls for any ball played out to be played with the "non-dominant" (usually the left) foot.
- Enforce the Offside law at the top of each handling area (helps with the "compactness" of the team on defense.
- Utilize the "out-of-the box" rule...in order for a team to score, the goalkeeper must be outside his / her team's own goal area.
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Big Things in Small Packages
Small sided play is great for enhancing every player's short-term enjoyment of the game and their long-term development. The goalkeeper is very much a part of the team "package" and hopefully the points above can help the team coach bring the goalkeeper the "big things" that are critical to good development.
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Rob Walker holds a US Soccer "A" license and is a national team's program staff coach. Rob has 20 years of goalkeeping expertise. He has written numerous articles and curricula on the position. He resides in Birmingham, Alabama and is the Director of Coaching for the Mountain Brook Soccer Club.
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