How to Train Goalkeepers

Soccer goalkeepers are the only players who can touch the ball with their hands.

While most players on a soccer field receive similar training, the goalkeeper is the only one that needs specific skills and training for those skills. This is due, in part, to the fact that he's the only player on the field who can touch the ball with his hands. These extra skills and responsibilities add another layer of complexity to training a keeper. Training your new keeper with the basics will help ensure he understands his responsibilities and knows how to protect the goal in the best way possible.

Instructions

1. Work with the keeper's feet first. When the keeper stands correctly he can move around to stop the ball. Feet should be about a shoulder's width apart. The keeper should bend at the knees slightly and face the ball. Most importantly, he should not move if it's not necessary. If he's moving to the right just to move, he won't be able to move left when a player kicks the ball that way.

2. Teach the keeper where to stand. He should always be about three feet in front of the goal line. Additionally, teach him to guard the post nearest to the attacking player without moving too far from the farthest post. This allows him to get to the close post quickly -- where the player is most likely to kick the ball -- while keeping him close enough to the far post in case the attacker tries to score in that direction.

3. Train the keeper to keep his hands in front of him, about chest level. Hands should be about a soccer ball's width apart, as if he's holding an invisible ball. Shoulders should be back and squared. When you combine this with feet at shoulder's width apart and bent knees, players call it the "Ready Position." It gives the keeper the best chance of moving and catching or stopping the ball.

4. Tell the keeper to watch the ball and the attacker's body language, but never the attacker directly. The keeper should look for two things. First, the path of the ball. This helps him get into that path. Second, any feet, hand and eye movement of the attacker that will clue him into where the attacker might strike. This helps the keeper determine where the path of the ball might change to, and get in front of it.

5. Require the keeper to memorize and recognize field formations. Once he's stopped the ball he needs to get it to his teammates. The best way to do this is to know where to put the ball so someone on his team can get it easily. This may not always be at a team member. It could also mean throwing the ball into the path of a team member so that the opposite team doesn't steal the ball.

References

• JB Goalkeeping: Goalkeeping Tips
• Soccer Help: Letter with Goalkeeper Training Tips
• Soccer Training Guide: 10 Tips for Soccer Goalkeeper