Goalkeeper

“A great goalkeeper makes difficult saves look easy — and helps everyone else play with confidence.”

Player Role

You are the last line of defence — and the first point of attack.

As goalkeeper, your job isn’t just to stop shots. You’re also responsible for organising your defenders, helping us build from the back, and making smart decisions under pressure. You see the whole pitch — that makes you a leader, even if you’re quiet.

🧠 Key Responsibilities – Goalkeeper

🧤 General (Always)

  • Protect the goal – Use your hands, feet, and good positioning to stop shots

  • Communicate – Talk early and clearly to help your defenders (e.g. “Man on!”, “Away!”, “Keeper!”)

  • Distribute smartly – Try to make good choices when passing or throwing the ball

  • Cover behind the defence – Be ready if a ball is played past your teammates

  • Stay switched on – Stay focused, even when the ball is far away

🔵 In Possession (When we have the ball)

  • You take our goal kicks – you start our attacks

  • Be a passing option – support your defenders if they’re under pressure

  • Play short when it’s on, long when it’s needed – make safe, smart choices

  • Distribute quickly after a save or turnover to catch the other team out

  • Keep us calm – your decision-making helps the whole team

  • Use your voice – call out options like “Play wide”, “Back to me”, or “Turn!”

🔴 Out of Possession (When they have the ball)

  • Protect the goal – always be ready for shots, rebounds, or crosses

  • Organise the defence – help your centre backs and wingbacks stay ready

  • Hold your position – but be alert to step out if needed

  • Come off your line when there’s a through ball or cross you can reach

  • React fast – especially if we lose the ball or it bounces loose

🛠️

Key Skills to Develop

🛠️

Key Skills to Develop – Goalkeeper

👐

Handling Techniques

  • W Catch – Use this for chest-height shots. Form a “W” shape with your thumbs and index fingers, elbows slightly bent, and catch the ball in front of your face or chest.

  • Basket Catch – Used for lower balls. Hands and forearms form a bowl or basket shape below the waist, perfect for scooping up bouncing balls or low passes.

  • Scoop Technique – For balls rolling on the ground. Get low, one knee down if needed, and scoop the ball safely into your body with your hands underneath it.

🦶

Goal Kicks

  • You take our goal kicks, so practice placing the ball well and choosing the right pass.

  • Start short when it’s safe — look for your centre backs or wingbacks.

  • If it’s not safe to play short, go longer to a midfielder or striker.

  • Keep your body over the ball and follow through with balance.

👣

Footwork

  • Stay light on your feet — small steps help you adjust quickly.

  • Move your feet to get in line with the ball instead of reaching.

  • After every save, reset your position quickly and stay alert.

📣

Communication

  • Talk early and clearly — it helps your defenders stay calm.

  • Use short words like:

    • “Keeper!” (when claiming the ball)

    • “Away!” (when a defender should clear)

    • “Push up!” (when our defence should move out)

🧱

Bravery and Confidence

  • Be brave in 1v1s — come out early and make yourself big.

  • Don’t be afraid to make mistakes — the best goalkeepers learn by trying.

  • Show confidence with your body language — it helps the whole team stay focused.

🧩

How You Help the Team

  • Give defenders confidence to hold the line

  • Create calm when we play out from the back

  • Be the voice that keeps us organised under pressure

  • Turn defence into attack in seconds

🗣 Coach’s Note:

“Goalkeepers are decision-makers. Your saves matter, but so do your words, your body language, and your ability to stay calm when things get hectic. You’re part of the spine of the team.”