Edition 7

Today’s topic for the Keeper Newsletter is Communication.     First, however, I would like to deal with a couple of minor issues.   I would like to remind people that next weeks issue will deal with soccer and keeper camps and any suggestions/comments should be sent to comments@finesoccer.com.

This past weekend I was at a tournament and watched a number of games of various age groups both male and female.  I saw a pattern and quite frankly, it is quite disturbing because it shows a clear misunderstanding of what it means to be a goalkeeper.     When I first became involved in coaching, I used to refer to a certain type of keeper as the “fat kid in goal” (yes I have always been politically correct).    This particular type of keeper was typically the kid who didn’t want to run at all and simply saw the role of goalkeeper as being someone who stands there and tries to stop balls from going into the net.  This type doesn’t understand the importance of leading the team’s defense or initiating the attack.  Their only function was that of a shot blocker.  Gradually, I started seeing keepers move away from this and start to understand the importance of leadership. Unfortunately, I am now seeing the trend going in the other direction.

First of all, I would like to discuss what I see as the important functions of a high level keeper.  The most obvious one is to be a shot blocker.  This simply means keeping the ball out of the back of the net.  While it might seem like this is really all that matters to be a successful keeper, this is really all that it takes if your goal in life is to be a successful “fat kid in goal” The next function is that of leadership of the attack.  Rather then relaxing and watching as your team has the ball, this is when you have the opportunity to really make a difference when it comes to having a true affect on the outcome of the match.  How valuable are you as a keeper if you stand back on your goal line and simply watch as your team attempts to attack?     The real answer is you serve no purpose at all.  A real keeper is involved in the attack by supporting her teammates at all times in terms of positioning herself in a spot where she is always available for a back pass.  Yes this does mean leaving the 18 to be in proper support!  The other way the keeper can “support” her teammates is by telling them what to do.  This means letting teammates know when there is a “man on” or when she should pass it back etc.  Be as specific as possible.  Do not yell,  “Make runs” rather tell Jill to check back to the ball or Lisa to go diagonal.  You as the keeper has the best view of anyone (and that includes the coach) so take advantage of it by supporting your teammates at all times.  One of the things keeper must be aware of is saying unnecessary things to the point of irritating their teammates so they get ignored.  In my opinion, as a coach, I want the keeper speaking for me so when a keeper tells a field player to do something, it should be taken as if I, the coach, have said it.  In order for this to work, the keeper must refrain from being a cheerleader or criticizer and only say things that are important at that time.  The more a keeper can use concise clear statements, the more effective they will be

The next part of being a keeper is leading the defense.  Let me start by saying the next keeper who yells “mark up” or “who has #10” should be shot and put out of my misery.  Who should mark up?  It is the keepers responsibility to say “Steve, you have #10”, Bob, you have #2”etc.  Be specific and very firm.  Real keepers don’t have to make spectacular saves very often because if they are doing their job correctly, they are preventing the shot rather then saving the shot.  This is one of the big differences from being a keeper as opposed to a “fat kid in goal”.  Making the decision for the defender regarding whether to force an opponent to the side or to the middle will make your job and your teammate jobs so much better.

Can anyone be a leader in goal?  No.  Can anyone become more of a leader in goal?  Certainly.  A long time ago, some idiot made the statement that “you have to be crazy to be a keeper” This has been one of the major reasons that the art and science of being a keeper has been so undeveloped.     Stupid coaches assume that their keeper has the right “attitude” to be a keeper so that part of the job of coaching is taken care of.  The truth of the matter is high level keepers have to have a much better understanding of the game in order to be successful.  They have to be able to let their teammates know whom to mark, when to mark, when to tackle, when to attack, when to balance, when to pass, when to shoot and 1000’s of other things.  Not only does a high level keeper have to know how and when to do these things but also how to communicate them to their teammates.     Choosing the proper words and the proper tone is so important.   One of the things for keepers to remember is that the lower the pitch of the command, the more definite the command sounds.  This is one of the hardest things for female keepers to overcome because in the course of the match, voices tend to rise and thus they must make a concerted effort to be loud without being squeaky.

Hopefully, what you will come away with after reading this issue of the Keeper Newsletter is that there are many things a keeper must do rather then just sit back and save shots.     It isn’t a surprise that a high percentage of coaches are former keepers.   These are the people who realized that while it is true the keeper must be courageous, it is also true they must be intelligent and a quick decision-maker.

I hope everyone has a great day and I look forward to hearing about more camps prior to Monday.