No. 4--Soccer Goalkeeping and the Defense

Goalkeepers (at levels above very young soccer) are generally different than other soccer players. They can often be thought of as tough individuals that choose this position on the soccer field because they like being different. They also like being in charge of themselves along with the goal that they are tending. With this thought clearly in mind, they should be given greater authority then just having the usual traditional responsibilities given to their kind.

The soccer goalkeeper is generally thought of by many coaches and players as the last person on defense whose duty is to somehow save the ball from entering the goal. In addition, he or she is also thought of as the first person on the offense and told to make long kicks or throws up field. While these definitions are accurate for the lowest levels of soccer, the advanced coach must train the goalkeeper to have a greater level of responsibility.

That level goes beyond the traditional role as the last person on defense and the first person on attacks with kicks up field. Generally speaking, the traditional role does little to help win games, but at a higher level, the goalkeeper’s duties will become an integral part of a winning machine. For the defensive, no other player has a better view of the field; and thus, has the ability to see all players at all times. Strictly speaking, the defensive players need a leader. So who is better than the goalkeeper for having the role as commander of the defense?

The ultimate responsibility of a defensive commander is to have command and control over the defense, i.e., authority. To be more effective on the field, he or she must continually direct the field location of each defensive player to optimally screen attackers from having a clear shot on goal. When these defensive players are in their optimum positions, it is generally easier for the goalkeeper to be in a proper position when a shot on goal comes. The commands to the defensive players are issued with a low voice, and to each and every defensive player as to where this goalkeeper desires them to be. Think of it this way. The goalkeeper will be extending his or her range by controlling a second line of defense. The less saves made by the goalkeeper, the less chance that the opposition has for scoring.

The worst position for any defender to be in is to be behind an attacking player in his or her zone. Just after such a situation occurs, the goalkeeper’s role is to reprimand the player at fault, as this defender should know better. The coach should be watching the defense and not just the ball. If this same defender needs a constant reminder for this error or does not respect the goalkeeper’s desires, that defender should be immediately replaced: This defensive error causes goals. Another danger occurs when a defender is behind his or her attacker and a causes foul to occur. This can result in a penalty kick.

Offensively, it is always better to start attacks by passing the ball to one’s defensive players. For this to occur at a high rate, the defensive player should be skillful in trapping and screening the ball. So what is wrong with kicking the ball up field? As a general rule, interception by the opponents has a frequency of about 70 to 80%. Why is this? The opposing team is facing the ball as it arrives, making interception easy. Your team will be attempting to maintain the same direction of the ball’s flight—this is difficult to do for a long ball. Furthermore, the end result of long kicks very often causes the ball to return back to your own goal area shortly thereafter.

With a broader view transferred to the goalkeeper as the defensive commander, there will be the beginnings of better ball control on the field. Control of the defense is a requisite for winning more games.