Soccer Training Tips: How To Coach Goalkeepers
If you’re like me you probably know that soccer training tips for goalkeeper are of immense value since a goalie is the only player on the field who is allowed to touch the ball by both hands and arms.
That’s why a goalie’s soccer skills put him/ her in an advantageous position from rest of the ream members. But this makes a coach’s job tougher and more complex when training goalkeepers for soccer.
Soccer Goalkeepers are often the first line of the offense and the last line of defense, depending upon the technique of play. They will not hesitate in putting their bodies in harms way to stop or block a shot into the goal. They are always geared up to go along any direction to capture the ball.
Goalkeeper’s training for soccer on different skills and techniques can be one tough job depending upon their role requirements and level of play. At the same time, his or her mental state should be kept in mind while teaching him various skills.
The only player in the team who can match the vigor of a goalkeeper is the striker. In reality, many goalkeepers have already been great strikers at some point in their careers. 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.
One of the most important soccer training tips for a goalkeeper is to stay balanced and know the center of gravity of the body. In a game setting, this will benefit by improving the goalkeeper’s activity and the inclination of the other player.
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.
A coach must always remember that though goalkeepers have a good sense of self-worth but even then they need constant motivation. Goalkeepers should perform soccer drills that improve upon their skills specific to their role in the game once they have finished doing regular warm up exercises with the team.
Goalkeepers are the leaders of the team as both their role and their personality is quite dominating. Therefore, they need to be constantly supported by all their teammates in successfully doing their job by being in a representative capacity.
The ball can be handled by the goalie only in the 18 yard box. If there is anyone other than the goalie, who gets to touch the ball, the opponent team wins a free kick. If it is a goalie’s teammate, it’s a penalty shoot from “the spot”.
So you should now concentrate on using these soccer training tips by encouraging the goalkeeper who leads the team inside the 18 yard box, and needs appreciation of remaining teammates. Subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community that has tons of articles, newsletters, and related videos to improve your coaching skills.
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 practice sessions fun in record time. Download your free ebook at: Soccer Drills.