If you want to be a goalkeeper, you need a variety of skills. Your job is not only to be a great teammate and able to motivate and be the last line of defense, but you also have to be able to manage the game properly and prevent conceding opportunities. You also have to have the mental and physical strength to play for 90 minutes or more. The difference between winning and losing in a football match often depends on the goalkeeper.
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Part 1 of 3: Learning the Rules
Step 1. Learn the general rules of football
Before you can become a goalkeeper, learn the rules of football. These rules are discussed and determined by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which is a committee within the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). FIFA regulates every aspect of this game internationally.
- FIFA publishes the official rulebook for football. This book is updated regularly and the current version has 140 pages. You can find a copy at https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/generic/81/42/36/lawsoftthegame_2010_11_e.pdf.
- The IAFB has determined and recognized 17 standard universal laws on the game of football. This is because FIFA rules are often different for each country and organization. Also, the FIFA rulebook may be too complex for novice players.
- These seventeen laws cover the following topics: the field of play, the ball, the number of players, player equipment, referees, linesman, duration of the match, the start and start of the game, the position of the ball when it is played and considered out, scoring methods, offside circumstances, offenses and errors, free kicks, penalties, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks. You can access specifics about the seventeen standard laws at
- You can read more about how to play soccer in the article How to Play Soccer.
Step 2. Learn the rules of being a goalkeeper
Every player on the field, from strikers to midfielders and goalkeepers, has specific rules regarding his position. Knowing these laws will help you to become a better goalkeeper and teammate.
Step 3. Learn the goalkeeping equipment
In addition to the standard equipment that every football player needs, including shoe spikes, shin guards and jerseys, goalkeepers must also follow the rules regarding equipment specific to their position on the field. From gloves to custom jerseys, this kit helps other players identify the goalkeeper.
- Goalkeepers must wear a uniform, long socks, shin guards and soccer shoes.
- FIFA rules require the goalkeeper's equipment to be different from that of other players and match staff, so that their position is easily identifiable on the pitch. For example, most goalkeepers will wear team jerseys of a different color than their peers.
- Goalkeepers must also wear special gloves to help grip the ball and protect their hands from shots. You can also learn more about these gloves in another article.
Step 4. Buy the right equipment for a goalkeeper
Before you start playing and training as a goalkeeper, buy the right equipment. From gloves to football boots and shin guards, every piece of equipment will ensure you're ready to play in the safest and best possible way.
- You will need the following equipment to play: goalkeeper gloves, soccer boots, shin guards, socks and a uniform.
- Goalkeeper gloves, which are made of thick leather, will cushion the hands when catching or blocking shots. These gloves can also help to grip the ball better.
- Nail shoes are shoes that are used specifically for playing soccer. These shoes have hard pegs on the bottom for you to hit the court more effectively.
- The shin guards help keep the bones in the lower calf from getting kicked by the pegs in the shoe. If this happens, you will not only be in pain, but you could be injured. You should also wear socks that fully cover the shin guards, so they stay in position.
- Goalkeeper jerseys may have padding on the shoulders and hip areas to protect against direct shots. If you play for a team, that team will usually provide you with the right goalkeeper jersey.
- You can also buy all the soccer equipment you need at sports supply stores or even online retailers like Soccerpro.com.
Step 5. Know where and how the goalkeeper can play the ball
Goalkeepers must know their playing position on the field, from kicking the ball to throwing it with their hands. Knowing these rules will help keep the goalkeeper from breaking the rules of the game.
- Goalkeepers may leave the goal box to join other players while defending. This often happens when a team needs to attack the opponent with full force.
- The goalkeeper can hold the ball in his penalty area. In some situations, such as when a teammate passes the ball to him through a kick, he may not hold it.
- If the goalkeeper commits a foul like this, the referee will award a free kick to the opposing team, which may be close to the goal.
- The goalkeeper must not control the ball for more than six seconds. If he violates this rule, the opposing team will get a free kick.
- These rules take into account possession of the ball whenever the goalkeeper holds it, or if the ball is between the body and the court.
- The goalkeeper may kick the ball and participate in the penalty shootout.
- Coaches can change goalkeepers as long as they follow the substitution rules.
- If an opposing player kicks a penalty, the goalkeeper must be stationary on the goal line, but also between the posts. He may move as long as he does not advance before the ball is kicked.
- Goalkeepers can get a red card for violating the rules of the game. In cases like this, a regular player or a reserve goalkeeper can take his place.
Step 6. Learn the rules that are specific to your country or organization
Since there are rules that apply to matches in certain countries and organizations, learn about the differences where you play. This way, you will avoid making mistakes that could make your team lose.
For example, some organizations may require you to wear goalkeeper gloves, while FIFA allows goalkeepers to choose whether or not they want to wear gloves
Part 2 of 3: Playing with a Team
Step 1. Watch the game
As a goalkeeper, you are in a unique position among your team-mates, because you can see the whole pitch. By paying attention to the game at all times, you will not only help your team gain an advantage, but also ensure that you are ready to defend your goal should the opposing team attack it.
Always keep an eye on the ball, even when the ball is at the other end of the court. Don't be surprised when the ball is kicked into your court
Step 2. Communicate with teammates
Since the goalkeeper can see the entire pitch, he must effectively communicate what he sees to his teammates. This way, all players know which opposing players to guard or which patterns of play to anticipate. Goalkeepers can also provide motivation for teammates who are tired or lackluster.
- Tell teammates about specific opponents or patterns of play, whether at half-time or on the court. Teammates need to know these things to help, not only when on the pitch, but also when defending and guarding goal.
- You can also develop and use hand gestures to give your teammates clues about your opponent or your plan of action.
- Don't yell at your teammates too often. Be specific, precise, and decisive in making suggestions, but convey your message in a polite manner. Remember, you are not the coach.
Step 3. Be aggressive and anticipate players coming on the field
If an opposing player comes forward to shoot, your job as a goalkeeper is to anticipate the moves he will make and defend the goal aggressively. Your reaction in these situations can make the difference between successfully defending the goal and allowing the opposing team to score.
- Approach the player who is coming towards the goal to cut corners of his kicks and make you look bigger. This method is also useful for intimidating opponents.
- Moving your feet and standing on your toes will help you react more quickly to the game's ongoing strategy. A few milliseconds can make a huge difference in the final outcome of a situation.
- Make yourself appear bigger in goal to intimidate oncoming opposing players. You can do this by raising your arms above your head or keeping them at your sides. This is also a psychological trick used to make the kicker unsure of the direction of the kick.
- Read the body language of players on the pitch. For example, if you watch a player prepare to kick the ball, you can anticipate the direction of the trajectory. Looking at the player's eyes can also give clues to the direction of the kick.
Step 4. Attack all the balls that come towards you
Any ball that goes to the goalkeeper can go into the goal. You have to anticipate and attack all the balls that come to the goal, so that the opposing team doesn't get a goal. This means, even if the ball is kicked higher than your height, jump!
Step 5. Save the goal with your hands and feet
There are several different ways to defend the goal area, from catching the ball, kicking it, or punching it. Choosing which defensive strategy you will use depends on how the ball approaches the goal area.
- Catch the ball whenever possible. This way, you can throw it at your teammates so they have a chance to score.
- When you catch the ball, you have two options for playing it: throwing it or kicking it at a teammate.
- There are times when catching the ball is impractical, for example when the ball is kicked too high or too fast. In these cases, you can bounce the ball with your palm or fingertips, or punch it.
- Kick the ball without catching it first in an emergency situation, for example when the goal is directly threatened.
- If the ball is low on the court or approaching you at an even angle, drop to the ground and then get up immediately.
- Get up quickly after flopping, catching, or kicking a ball. You never know when you need to come back to save.
Part 3 of 3: Training the Body and Mind
Step 1. Exercise the body's cardiovascular system
Soccer is a fast-paced sport that requires 90 minutes or more of running. Even if you're guarding the goal and not running as much as your attackers, you still need to be fit and ready to run fast, both in the box and on the pitch.
- Running is one of the most important activities for both soccer players and goalkeepers. Try to run briskly for at least 90 minutes to make sure your body can handle the game.
- You also have to run fast in the goal area to protect it from shots. Practice by running fast. For example, you can sprint 10 times for 100 meters to get your body ready for goal.
Step 2. Do strength training
As a goalkeeper, you need to be able to keep the ball away from the goal area, both by kicking and throwing it. To do this as effectively as possible, make sure your calves and arms are strong. You can train these two body parts by lifting weights.
- Cardio exercises like running will strengthen your calves, but leg-specific weight training will increase your strength. Consider exercises such as squats, lunges, and leg presses. All of them will work the whole calf.
- Since goalkeepers also have to use their arms and hands, it's also important to increase upper body strength. Consider exercises such as the shoulder press, bicep curl, chest press, and wrist curl. Using an assistive device like the Gripmaster will strengthen your fingers and wrist.
- You can also consider strength and flexibility exercises, such as yoga. Top international teams like Bayern München practice yoga not only as a complement to strength training, but also to improve flexibility and fine motor skills. In addition, yoga can train you to focus and relax more effectively.
Step 3. Practice fine and gross motor skills
Becoming a successful soccer player and goalkeeper requires more than the ability to kick or throw a ball. Remember, a goalkeeper is no different from any other player, except that he is allowed to use his hands in the goal box. You'll need to work on both fine and gross motor skills to handle the ball with your hands and feet effectively.
- To practice gross and fine motor skills in your feet and calves, do activity-focused exercises, such as dribbling the ball in different directions and kicking it from different distances near the goal. To get your kicks to keep the ball away from the goal, practice placing your body and feet in the direction you want them to be.
- You should also practice the two basic steps that goalkeepers use: the shuffle and the crossover. Sidewalking will work your shuffle skills, while directing your calves in the opposite direction from your hips will help you crossover.
- As a goalkeeper, you also have to train your hands to be more agile in handling the ball. Throwing and catching exercises done with a coach or teammate will help you develop hand skills.
Step 4. Improve your reaction time
Goalkeepers must be able to anticipate the movements of opposing players and react appropriately. Practice can help speed up reaction time, which can be the difference between successfully defending the goal effectively or failing to do so.
One good exercise to increase reaction time is to kick the ball against the wall with different parts of the foot, then try to stop the bounce from passing through the body
Step 5. Learn how to anticipate opposing players' moves
One of the main tasks of a goalkeeper is to understand the minds of opposing players and anticipate their moves. By learning how to read the movements of opposing players, you will be better able to anticipate them, which will also help you block shots and determine the course of the game.
- Playing soccer frequently will provide a practical experience for reading other players' movements. Usually, there are patterns of play that you can detect from the game.
- Watching videos of goalkeepers and other players can help you analyze additional tactics, so you'll also be more effective at anticipating defensive and attacking moves. Then, you can determine the right strategy.
- One exercise that can help anticipate player movements is penalty kicks. In fact, using several traffic cones as a goal can also help you practice this skill.
- Practice dropping yourself to block the ball on a soft mat or bed.
Step 6. Understand how geometric principles can improve your technique
Being a goalkeeper is about anticipating shots, which can come at different speeds and angles. Understanding the principles of geometry and basic math can help you determine the direction of the ball, so you can anticipate it more effectively.
- Always try to close the corner so that the opposing player doesn't have a lot of shooting position options. For example, if he approaches the goal from the right, don't stand in the middle. Face the ball with your body and stand close at the right post.
- A good general rule of thumb for positioning yourself properly is to pretend you think there's a string coming out of the ball and into the center of the goal. Position yourself in this thread position.
- If the ball is kicked flat towards you, don't just bring your hands down. Instead of doing so, lower your body so that you can jump forward when necessary.
- If an opposing player kicks a penalty, also block the corner. Look for the ball's direction in the eye or foot to determine the angle to block.
Step 7. Strengthen mental stamina
Playing on a soccer team, including as a goalkeeper, requires you to have the necessary mental strength. By exercising mental stamina, you can successfully navigate all obstacles. These obstacles may not only arise during the game, but also within the team.
- Know that nothing will ever go perfectly in a match, or even practice. You must be emotionally flexible and unyielding in order to quickly recover from failure, so that failure does not become a nuisance to your team.
- Being confident in your abilities can also help increase mental stamina. This attitude can come from realizing that you've been training hard or that you have a very strong and supportive team.
- Cognitive exercises, such as self-motivated speaking and seeing the positive in situations, also strengthen your mind and prepare you for competition. Visualization, which is when you imagine a game without actually doing it, is also another effective exercise.
- Talking to a therapist or sports psychologist can help you identify and reinforce play. For example, you may always feel guilty when your team loses. However, knowing that soccer is a team sport and realizing that mistakes may not always be your responsibility (perhaps this is the contribution of defenders) will help you to grow into a stronger player.
Tips
- Remember that no player starts perfectly. If you want to be a great goalkeeper, you have to practice a lot, be patient and be confident. Keep trying and don't give up!
- Don't let other people blame you for losing. Remember, even when you make a mistake, the ball has already passed 10 other players.
- Listen to the team and communicate with them. Football is a collaborative sport, so you'll need to interact with your team to plan to stop attacks.
- Don't be afraid to jump in. Purchase knee pads if needed.
- Dare to jump is the key. Learn how to predict your opponent's moves and watch the ball and its moves.
Warning
- Even the most successful goalkeepers make serious mistakes. When this happens to you, learn from your mistakes and move on, but don't give up hope.
- When playing, keep your head. Many goalkeepers are injured due to one-on-one collisions when heading the ball.
