Own the Soccer Goalkeeper Role Like a Pro
Goalkeeping in soccer is a lonely job. When the other players are actively running up and down the field trying to defend and score, a goalkeeper paces around waiting for the action. They’re the last line of defense. For a modern goalkeeper, they’re also often the first line of attack. Their job is to be prepared when teams attack. A goalkeeper can play great for most of the game, making dozens of saves, but if they let 1 or 2 shots get through, the day can be a failure.
Goalkeeping isn’t glamorous, but it’s necessary work. Without a good goalkeeper, a soccer team can’t consistently win. To be a successful goalkeeper, you must be resilient, independent, selfless, confident, decisive, and mentally tough. Often, goalkeepers don’t get the credit they deserve, but they’ll certainly get plenty of blame if their opponents score goals and their team loses.
History of the Goalkeeper in Soccer
Goalkeeping used to be a community responsibility. The formal role of goalkeeper didn’t start until the 1860s. By 1912, goalkeepers had to wear a designated shirt. Before a designated goalkeeper existed, all the players could use their hands to stop a goal. They had to be stationary when they touched the ball with their hands. There weren’t standard sizes for the goals, which often meant having multiple players guarding the goals. Players who guarded the goals in the early days of soccer weren’t considered athletic or essential to the team’s success. Even as the goalkeeper started to become more integrated with the team, they still were perceived as separate because their role was unique. They weren’t always part of the flow of the game. In 1871, the Football Association (FA) included the goalkeeper as a position in its rules. According to the rules, the goalkeeper could handle the ball “for the protection of his goal.”
Key Responsibilities of a Soccer Goalkeeper
Goalkeepers must be able to respond under pressure, particularly when the match is close. According to Popular Mechanics, a soccer ball can travel toward the net at 80 miles per hour from 12 yards out. From that distance, it takes less than 1/3 of a second for the ball to reach the goalkeeper. A goalkeeper must react almost instantly to stop the shot. Below are some important attributes a good goalkeeper should possess:
Catching: Because the ball comes at you from all sorts of angles, sometimes at high speeds, goalkeepers must be good at catching the ball. They’ll often have to leap to make a catch while moving laterally. A goalkeeper should be tall so they can grab high shots.
Shot-Stopping: The main job of a goalkeeper is to keep the other team from scoring. A goalkeeper must anticipate shots and get into position before the player kicks the ball. They should also be able to dive in both directions to make saves.
Reflexes: A goalkeeper must have lightning-quick reflexes. Even if they’re late anticipating a shot, they can make up for a slow start by reacting quickly. They must have great hands that help them knock down shots.
Agility: A goalkeeper must move deftly around the penalty area to pick up loose balls and stop shots. They must be able to efficiently clear the ball or move it away from their goal to one of their teammates.
Positioning: Proper positioning is important. A goalkeeper must be able to read the game to understand where to be in attack and defense.
Kicking/Passing: Goalkeepers need powerful legs. They’ll often have to clear the ball accurately, sometimes for long distances.
Goalkeeper Rules
The most important rule for a goalkeeper is that they can touch the ball inside the penalty box with their hands to stop shots. No other position can use their hands during live play. The penalty box is an 18-yard area that extends in front of the goal and to each side of it. Outside the penalty box, the goalkeeper must follow the same rules as the other players. Below are some additional rules for goalkeepers to follow:
Clothing: Goalkeepers must wear unique clothing. Their shirts must be a different color from their teammates as well as the other team’s jerseys. Almost all goalkeepers wear gloves. Gloves help them catch and throw the ball more effectively.
Ball Control: A goalkeeper has only 6 seconds to control the soccer ball with their hands. They must pass the ball within 6 seconds. If a goalkeeper exceeds the time limit, the other team is awarded an indirect free kick. This rule helps keep the pace moving.
Ball Drop: If a goalkeeper drops the soccer ball, they can’t pick it up until another player has touched it. The penalty for breaking this rule is an indirect free kick.
Kickbacks: Goalkeepers can’t use their hands if the ball is passed back to them by a teammate. However, they’re allowed to use their hands if the ball is advanced by a teammate using their chest, knees, or head.
Penalty Kicks: The goalkeeper must remain inside the goalpost on the line and face the kicker on a penalty kick.
Essential Goalkeeper Gear
The gear for goalkeepers is slightly different from what position players use. Goalkeepers must use their hands, and they generally spend more time diving for balls. Below is some of the necessary gear for goalkeepers:
Gloves: Because goalkeepers are the only players allowed to touch the soccer ball with their hands, a good pair of gloves is necessary. Soccer gloves should fit snugly around your hands and be stretchy, sticky, and comfortable. In the competition, you shouldn’t notice them on your hands.
Sliding Shorts: Sliding shorts are a protective pair of shorts that goalkeepers wear under their regular shorts. The extra layer of shorts absorbs the shock in a goalkeeper's upper leg and hip area when they must dive for balls.
Goalkeeper’s Jersey: Their jersey should be lightweight, comfortable, and long-sleeved. A good jersey has moisture-wicking fabric.
Mouth Guard: Most goalkeepers use mouth guards for protection against injury.
The best goalkeepers accept failure. Teams will always find ways to score. It’s the job of a goalkeeper to forget quickly about the successful shots that get by and focus on trying to stop the next shots.