The goalkeeper is really a unique part of the team, because on the surface of things, you might think they have the easiest job since they have the least running around to do. But all the most talented attackers in the world won’t do your team much good if you have a weak goalkeeper - they are literally what stands between the opposition and your team’s victory.
Whether you’re a football aficionado or a layman, you’ve certainly heard of David Seaman, who was among the best English goalkeepers in the 90s. But would the average person be able to name any others? Why is there so little recognition of this essential member of the team? For every Ronaldo, there’s a Neuer, for every Zidane, there was a Zoff. Schmeichel, Buffon, Casillas, van der Sar… and of course, the legendary Lev Yashin. The Soviet (yes yes, history sucks) has something in the region of 150 penalty kicks under his belt and to date is the only ever goalkeeper to receive the coveted Ballon d'Or.
So since they have such a singularly different role to play on the field, what is it that makes a truly great goalkeeper?
Alas, this is when size really does matter. The goal is a finite space and the more of it you can block the better, not to mention that the taller you are, the longer your legs and the farther your reach. How many times have we seen goals saved by the final millimetres of the fingertips!
Cool, indifferent focus. Football is a game where morale is a huge factor, and when thousands of fans cheer or boo at you when you’re already under intense pressure, all those external factors can seriously impact your play, but especially so for the goalie. No matter the outcome, you save a goal or you let one through, you have to shrug it off and stay focused.
Reflexes and intuition. In a way this seems obvious - the faster your response, the more likely you are to save the goal. But more than that, a goalkeeper needs to be a pro at reading his opponent. The best goalkeepers almost make this look extra sensory. This is especially vital for penalty shots, since a split second decision to dive in the wrong direction can mean crushing defeat. You must study your opponents, watch their movements and body language and arguably train even harder than the rest of your team.
Communication. This might seem surprising considering a goalkeeper is the most solitary member of the team during a match. But the goalie has one crucial advantage over the rest of the players - they have the perfect vantage point to observe the entire field. They can watch the players and follow the strategies being played out. A good goalie must communicate with the defenders so they can present a united front and coordinate effectively to block incoming attacks. This is also important for those tricky corner kicks!
Impeccable footwork. Believe it or not, a goalkeeper’s duties are not just diving and catching. Football has come a long way in the past two decades and gone are the days of just perfecting kicking long balls. Rule changes now mean goalkeepers are much more involved in the foot play and sweeper keepers are often crucial to a game plan.
Whether you’re a football aficionado or a layman, you’ve certainly heard of David Seaman, who was among the best English goalkeepers in the 90s. But would the average person be able to name any others? Why is there so little recognition of this essential member of the team? For every Ronaldo, there’s a Neuer, for every Zidane, there was a Zoff. Schmeichel, Buffon, Casillas, van der Sar… and of course, the legendary Lev Yashin. The Soviet (yes yes, history sucks) has something in the region of 150 penalty kicks under his belt and to date is the only ever goalkeeper to receive the coveted Ballon d'Or.
So since they have such a singularly different role to play on the field, what is it that makes a truly great goalkeeper?
Alas, this is when size really does matter. The goal is a finite space and the more of it you can block the better, not to mention that the taller you are, the longer your legs and the farther your reach. How many times have we seen goals saved by the final millimetres of the fingertips!
Cool, indifferent focus. Football is a game where morale is a huge factor, and when thousands of fans cheer or boo at you when you’re already under intense pressure, all those external factors can seriously impact your play, but especially so for the goalie. No matter the outcome, you save a goal or you let one through, you have to shrug it off and stay focused.
Reflexes and intuition. In a way this seems obvious - the faster your response, the more likely you are to save the goal. But more than that, a goalkeeper needs to be a pro at reading his opponent. The best goalkeepers almost make this look extra sensory. This is especially vital for penalty shots, since a split second decision to dive in the wrong direction can mean crushing defeat. You must study your opponents, watch their movements and body language and arguably train even harder than the rest of your team.
Communication. This might seem surprising considering a goalkeeper is the most solitary member of the team during a match. But the goalie has one crucial advantage over the rest of the players - they have the perfect vantage point to observe the entire field. They can watch the players and follow the strategies being played out. A good goalie must communicate with the defenders so they can present a united front and coordinate effectively to block incoming attacks. This is also important for those tricky corner kicks!
Impeccable footwork. Believe it or not, a goalkeeper’s duties are not just diving and catching. Football has come a long way in the past two decades and gone are the days of just perfecting kicking long balls. Rule changes now mean goalkeepers are much more involved in the foot play and sweeper keepers are often crucial to a game plan.
So to sum up - the goalie needs to be quick, instinctive, smart and lethally calm. This is a rare and powerful combination and one that certainly deserves a lot of respect. Here’s hoping that more and more goalie pros join Yashin in the echelons of football’s greatest heroes.
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