Recreation and Sports
Soccer Training Tips: A Guide To Coaching Goalkeepers
August 28, 2010 by drewloupsen · Leave a Comment
If you have a similar bent of mind as I have, you’ll agree with me that Soccer training tips for goalkeepers is very important as he/she is the sole player allowed to make contact with the ball by hands and arms both.
Therefore, it’s the soccer skills of a goalie that set him apart in a better position, in comparison to others. But this makes a soccer coach’s job quite challenging when it comes to coaching goalkeepers.
Based on the method of play in soccer, goalkeepers are the first line of offense and last line of defense. They will not hesitate in putting their bodies in harms way to stop or block a shot into the goal. They are ready to dive in any direction to catch hold of the ball.
When it comes to a goalkeeper’s training for soccer, on various requirements specific to their role and their level of play can be very trying. At the same time, his or her mental state should be kept in mind while teaching him various skills.
In terms of comparison, only a striker can match the skills and enthusiasm of a goalkeeper. In fact, some of the best goalies have also been great strikers at one point or the other. You’ll observe that very often, it’s the goalies and forwards that get into a direct battle on the field, no matter what the level of competition.
When it comes to soccer training tips, staying balanced and knowing the center of gravity of the body is of the essence to the goalkeeper. This will improve the activity of the goalie and the state of readiness of the player to make remarkable gains in a game setting.
Though most goalkeepers in soccer are tall with long arms and big hands, but even if otherwise they easily compensate for the need of physical built with good vertical and lateral mobility.
It is necessary of the coaches to recognize that goalkeepers need constant motivation no matter how good is there sense of self-worth. Soccer Goalkeepers need to do their regular warm ups with the team, but then separate from the team and perform the specific soccer drills that will prepare them for the game.
Goalkeepers act as the leaders of the team as they have a personality that is both dominating and controlling. So they must be supported by the rest of the team to successfully execute their role by being placed in a vocal and demonstrative capacity.
The ball can be handled by the goalie only in the 18 yard box. If the ball is touched by any player’s arm other than the goalkeeper, the opposing party gets a free kick. In the case of the goalie’s team mate, it is a penalty shoot from “the spot”.
So your job now is to use these soccer training tips to improve goalkeeper’s performance on the field as they are the leaders inside the 18 yard box and should be valued by their teammates. For more such training tips and coaching skills, subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community and get access to thousands of videos.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andre Botelho is known online as “The Expert Youth Soccer Coach” and his free ebooks and reports have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Learn how to skyrocket your players’ skills and make training fun in record time. Download your free ebook at: Soccer Practice
