1. On Your Toes
A goalkeeper should never be flatfooted when trying to defend a shot on the goal. Stay alert on the balls of your feet whenever the ball is near. This not only keeps you active but also enables the keeper to dive properly and quickly in either direction. If the feet are flat, the dive will be late. Also, use the feet to move and get around on the ball. The goalkeeper should always move to be in-between the ball and the goal.
2. Attack the Soccer Ball
Being a goalkeeper is not a passive activity. A goalie should meet the ball whenever possible. If you don't attack the ball and wait around you lessen the major advantage you have over the other players in that you can grab the ball with your hands. Therefore, you need to locate the ball, get in between it and the goal and then attack it. On popular method of attack is the dive. However, be certain that the offensive player has shot the ball before you leave your feet. If players fake you into a dive it almost certainly result in a goal.
3. Ready Position
The basic overall position of the body is another key to goaltending in soccer. As previously mentioned you should be on the balls of your feet, but also have your shoulders square to the soccer ball, flex the knees, weight forward slightly, hands out to the side and able to spring into action in any direction. You call this the ready position. The movement out of the ready position will depend on the location of the shot on the goal.
4. W is for Catching
One technique to catch the incoming shot is the "W" or contour catch. They call it "W" because you extend the arms and bring the hands together at the thumbs forming a "W". This catch is best for shots above your waist. For shots below the waist, you should use the inverted contour catch where your palms turn towards you and the pinkie fingers almost touch. There are times when you can't catch the ball properly--this is where the punch comes into play. The punch is just as it sounds; you literally make a fist and punch the ball away from the goal.
5. Last and First
When you think of a goalkeeper you think defense. However, besides the obvious responsibility of stopping the other team from scoring the goalkeeper is the first to lead the offense down to the other end of the field. So do not forget that the goalkeeper is key to the defense but also plays an important role on the offensive end.
A goalkeeper should never be flatfooted when trying to defend a shot on the goal. Stay alert on the balls of your feet whenever the ball is near. This not only keeps you active but also enables the keeper to dive properly and quickly in either direction. If the feet are flat, the dive will be late. Also, use the feet to move and get around on the ball. The goalkeeper should always move to be in-between the ball and the goal.
2. Attack the Soccer Ball
Being a goalkeeper is not a passive activity. A goalie should meet the ball whenever possible. If you don't attack the ball and wait around you lessen the major advantage you have over the other players in that you can grab the ball with your hands. Therefore, you need to locate the ball, get in between it and the goal and then attack it. On popular method of attack is the dive. However, be certain that the offensive player has shot the ball before you leave your feet. If players fake you into a dive it almost certainly result in a goal.
3. Ready Position
The basic overall position of the body is another key to goaltending in soccer. As previously mentioned you should be on the balls of your feet, but also have your shoulders square to the soccer ball, flex the knees, weight forward slightly, hands out to the side and able to spring into action in any direction. You call this the ready position. The movement out of the ready position will depend on the location of the shot on the goal.
4. W is for Catching
One technique to catch the incoming shot is the "W" or contour catch. They call it "W" because you extend the arms and bring the hands together at the thumbs forming a "W". This catch is best for shots above your waist. For shots below the waist, you should use the inverted contour catch where your palms turn towards you and the pinkie fingers almost touch. There are times when you can't catch the ball properly--this is where the punch comes into play. The punch is just as it sounds; you literally make a fist and punch the ball away from the goal.
5. Last and First
When you think of a goalkeeper you think defense. However, besides the obvious responsibility of stopping the other team from scoring the goalkeeper is the first to lead the offense down to the other end of the field. So do not forget that the goalkeeper is key to the defense but also plays an important role on the offensive end.
