The Modern Goalkeeper By Neil Cooper CAPA Trainer

The Modern Goalkeeper By Neil Cooper CAPA Trainer / Coach NC - December 2013

The Modern Goalkeeper There have been many changes to the way the goalkeeper plays. In the 70 s and 80 s when goalkeepers played, they were simply required to keep the ball out of the goal. Since the introduction of the back pass Law in the early 90 s, goalkeepers have had to become much better footballers, with the ability to use their feet as much as their hands. NC - December 2013

Technical Changes • “Tipping” with the top hand is now the conventional way to save a ball to the top corner. • Positioning from corners has changed also, with fewer goalkeepers using defenders to cover their posts than ever before. • Goalkeepers may move along their goal line when facing penalty kicks now too and this adds to the pressure placed on the taker. • Each change has caused the goalkeeper to evolve and improve. NC - December 2013

Position Attributes Physical: Strength, Agility, Balance, Speed, Coordination, Reaction Time, Height Mental: Concentration, Determination, Bravery, Technical: Footballer 1 st (must be able to play field well), Handling, footwork Tactical: Positioning, sweeper, organization, communication NC - December 2013

Positioning Ball Line The imaginary line that runs from the centre of the goal, through the ball. For all goalkeepers, this is the basic starting position that helps with narrowing the angle and making shooting difficult for the attacker. NC - December 2013

Angle Arc • An imaginary line that usually starts either just outside or at the post, and runs to the other post, peaking at the top of the six-yard box. • Guideline for goalkeepers as to how far they want to be closing the ball down when a shot is coming from inside or at the edge of the penalty area. • Changes for every goalkeeper based on their physical, technical and tactical attributes. NC - December 2013

Positions For Crosses • Crosses from the conventional position. • Right footed players that will provide outswinging crosses in these instances. • Goalkeeper is positioned about 2 yards off his line and his body is opened up to the rest of the field. • Keeper can move forward to collect a mishit cross to the near post • If the ball is centred, he’ll turn to face into the field in order to be “set” to make a save. NC - December 2013

• Communicate to the man closest to the ball to apply pressure to cut out the cross. • Communicate with his defence their marking assignments. • The goalkeeper is unlikely to attempt to attack the cross. • Most would settle with attempting to make a save from a header 8 -10 yards out. NC - December 2013

• In this instance, cross is from about 2 yards short of the by line and 5 yards in from the edge of the area. • Goalkeeper is positioned in line with near post. • Closer to the byline, means the goalkeeper has slid closer to his near post. • He is about 2 yards off his line and able to cover anything that is shot at the near post • Also along the angle arc so that he can attack a driven ball, or make a save if the cross is cut back. NC - December 2013

• In this picture, goalkeeper is a little further out (about 3 or 4 yards) • Body is much more open and square to the middle of the field. • Angle of the delivery allows him to open his body more to see both the crosser, and the players attacking the cross. • In middle of the goal to deal with cross to any part of the area/goal. NC - December 2013

• Goalkeeper is more aggressive with his decision making with this type of cross. • More time to see the flight of the ball, judge the ball better and attack it. • Ball will be an outswinging cross. If the keeper does come for the cross, catching it may prove difficult due to the swing of the ball and the onrushing attackers so a punch is more likely. NC - December 2013

Punch or Catch • Difficult to explain whether a goalkeeper should punch or catch the ball because every cross and circumstance is different. • Easiest rule is that if there attackers around you, you should punch and if not, you should catch. Even this can be deceiving or incorrect. • The swing of the ball, the number of people in the penalty area, the type of delivery and the area of the field the cross is delivered from, will all impact a goalkeeper’s decision to come and catch or punch the ball. NC - December 2013

• Definitely punch a long, straight ball played down the field and you are put under pressure by an attacking player. • In the picture below, Hugo Lloris attacks the ball over the top of the centre forward and punches the ball away. • If the ball is deeper and goes over the head of the attacker, he would catch it due to lack of pressure. NC - December 2013

• The pictures below show that the free kick is delivered from deep, and the goalkeeper has time to judge the flight of the ball • Due to the fact that there are no Newcastle players applying pressure to him, he can catch the ball. NC - December 2013

• Hardest problem that youth goalkeepers have is that they lack the necessary experience to successfully judge the flight of the ball. • Most prefer to stay on their line and let their defenders deal with the cross instead. • Work on crosses in training to allow plenty of opportunities for goalkeepers to see and experience different types of delivery • This will give them the confidence to make the right decisions in a game. NC - December 2013

Corridor of Uncertainty If you watch a lot of soccer, a common phrase you will hear from commentators is when they talk about the “corridor of uncertainty” as an area on the field to which a cross should be delivered. But what is it? And why is it so difficult for a goalkeeper? NC - December 2013

• In the picture on the next slide, Arjen Robben is breaking down the Bayern right hand side • He is in a position to cross the ball but how he does will impact how the goalkeeper will handle the situation. • High, floated ball to #9 at the back post, might see the goalkeeper attack and look to catch or punch. • Mishit cross to the near post allows keeper to claim easily. • Goes to goal alone, and keeper will treat it as a shot and move into a position where he narrows the angle to make a save. NC - December 2013

• Hardest ball for the goalkeeper to respond to is one that is played along the ground between the 6 -yard box and penalty spot. • The goalkeeper will be caught in two minds whether to attack the cross, or wait and try to make a save. • Creates the “uncertainty” in his mind that gives this 6 yard space its name. NC - December 2013

• On the next slide Robben has found himself in a position behind the Wolfsburg defense. • He can play in the air to #9, go to goal alone or play along the floor between the 6 -yard box and penalty spot in the “corridor of uncertainty”. • Speed on the ball will make it difficult for the goalkeeper to come out and attack the cross • Knows that if he doesn’t, he’ll be facing a shot from the on rushing Mandzukic from about 6 yards out. • Creates uncertainty in his mind, and makes reacting to the cross in this space very difficult. NC - December 2013

NC - December 2013

• Once uncertainty is created, the attacker not only has the advantage in this situation but in future ones also. • Goalkeepers cannot “cheat” over for the anticipated cross as they may be beaten with a shot at the near post. • He may also decide that he’s definitely not going to attack the cross the next time, and therefore be slow off his line, or out of position for different cross. NC - December 2013

• “Corridor of uncertainty” is not only created by balls that are played along the floor • The swing on the delivery may also be enough to create uncertainty, as might the positioning of the defenders and attackers. • Usually defined as that 6 -yard space between 6 -yard box and penalty spot. • Any closer than 6 -yards and the goalkeeper will claim it. Any further out than the penalty spot and you’d expect the defenders to deal with it. NC - December 2013

Positioning For Shots • Goalkeepers should be looking to be on both the ball line, and angle arc to give themselves the chance to cover all areas of the goal. • Takes time and practice but points are explained in next few slides. NC - December 2013

• Edwin Van Der Sar is about to face a shot from the Spurs player at the top of the penalty area. • He is 2 or 3 yards off his line, directly on the ball line (shown by the red line), and is in the “set” position. • As the ball is struck, takes a small step to lead with that foot before extending into his dive to make the save. NC - December 2013

For young goalkeepers, positioning may change. Here, Van Der Sar is dealing with a shot from a professional. This is likely to be very accurate and struck with a great amount of power. He will therefore need time to react to that and make the save. This is why his starting position is where it is. For youth goalkeepers, they can be another 3 or 4 yards closer to the ball (almost at the 6), to give them a better chance of making a save to shots in the corners of the goal. Youth team goalkeepers often struggle with balls going over their head too. By being further out, closer to the forward shooting, they have a better chance of saving the shot by getting to the ball whilst it is still rising. NC - December 2013

• He is at full extension to his right, which means his initial step to save the ball would have been with his right foot. • Due to his size and athletic ability, 2 or 3 yards off his line was the right position for him. • Proof that younger goalkeepers, would need to be further off their line in order to reach all corners of the goal. NC - December 2013

Correct Angles From Shots • With this picture sequence, we first see Hugo Lloris getting set for the shot. • 2 or 3 yards off his line as Van Der Saar was • Correctly positioned on the ball line and is in the “set” position to move to save the shot. NC - December 2013

• Bafetimbi Gomis has just struck his shot to Lloris’ left. • Lloris takes a short, directional step with his left foot before extending into his dive. • His feet are wider than the shoulder width apart he would have for the “set” position due to the step with his left foot. NC - December 2013

• With his dive, he extends through the ball to make the save and tip it away. • Look at his finishing position, with his wrist beyond the post. • Key because he now avoids a striker bending the ball around his hand. • By landing with his wrist beyond the post, he shows that he would have covered a shot that was even wider and bent back in. NC - December 2013

Extension Saves • Lloris and Van Der Sar are making the saves with the lower hand due to the height of the ball in relation to the goal. • For low shots, saves should be made with the bottom hand if only 1 can reach the ball. • Shots into the top corners, different goalkeepers use different styles. NC - December 2013

• Modern technique is to use top hand to “tip” the ball over the crossbar. • This is the preferred way for making saves in the top corners of the goal because the top hand can reach further than the bottom one. NC - December 2013

• This style has changed in recent years. Older keepers still use their bottom hand even when the shot is in the top corner. • “Tipping” allows you to reach further in your dive, but goalkeepers job is simply to keep the ball out of the goal. • If preference is to go with the bottom hand, they should be left to continue with this technique if they NC - December 2013 make necessary saves.

Corner Positioning • Usually a personal preference for goalkeepers and will change based on the position of the other players at the corner. • No right or wrong answers but there are common areas of thought NC - December 2013

• Manuel Neuer is positioned in the middle of the goal. • Most obvious reason seems to be that as there are no players positioned to cover the posts • Neuer must cover the whole goal and this is easiest to do from the middle of it. NC - December 2013

• Diego Benaglio is in a deeper position. • He is positioned off his line and about 2/3 rds of the way back in his goal. • Easier to move forward to attack the ball than move back to a ball going over his head. • May be further back due to the player positioned on the near post that can cover that portion of the goal. NC - December 2013

• Most important thing is that goalkeeper and defence feel comfortable with positioning and are aware of the duties they have. • Recommendation is to have a player on each post and your goalkeeper standing about 2/3 rds to 3/4 back in the goal. • This is due to the fact that it is easier for a goalkeeper to move forward for the ball than it is to move back. NC - December 2013

Positioning for Free Kicks • Free kicks, like corners and throw-ins are when the goalkeeper starts to move away from the ball line and angle arc. • Like with a corner kick, the goalkeeper’s position will depend on a number of factors. NC - December 2013

• Here, due to the angle of the kick, Schmeichel positioned slightly off the red ball line. • Position is a conventional one for the goalkeeper behind a wall. • Wall will be lined up to cover the near side of the goal, with the goalkeeper positioned just to the far side of it where they can see the ball. NC - December 2013

• The kick here is very central so Paul Robinson has chosen for the wall to defend one side of the goal and he will cover the other side. • He is as close to the middle of the goal as possible to be able to cover the shot over the wall, but his position does favor the far post slightly. NC - December 2013

This keeper is very close to the far post, and obviously feels that the wall will cover the other side of the goal suitably. NC - December 2013

• Positioning will change dependent on where the free kick is being taken from • Victor Valdes has lined up two players in the wall and has positioned himself as he would for a cross from this spot. • Angle means that he does not anticipate a shot and is ready to attack any cross into the penalty area. NC - December 2013

Another question I am continually asked is, how many players should there be in a wall? The honest answer is, as many as the goalkeeper is comfortable having. This graphic gives a visual idea though of what is considered conventional. NC - December 2013

The Penalty Shot • Pressure is with the taker and this should be reiterated to your goalkeeper. • They are not expected to make the save but it would be great if they can! • Even though the goalkeeper is not expected to make the save, can use visual clues to give themselves a better chance of doing so. NC - December 2013

• First, the goalkeepers starting position. He is positioned in the middle of the goal with his heels touching the goal line. • Laws of the game say that the goalkeeper must stay on his line until the ball is struck • This allows the keeper to be a little more advanced, and appear “larger” in the goal. NC - December 2013

• The goalkeeper must read where the taker is going to put the ball so that they know where to dive. • There are many visual cues that help with that and some are highlighted here. NC - December 2013

• First clue of where the penalty is going is in the runup. • In this instance, it is going to be very hard to bring the ball across his body and to his right. • More likely, he will push the ball with the side of his foot to his left (the goalkeeper’s right). NC - December 2013

• Another clear visual cue here, as he is about to strike the ball, is the position of Van Persie’s shoulders. • One behind the other means it will be very unlikely that he will shoot across his body. • For that, his shoulders would need to be square to the goal. • Still unlikely to pull the ball across his body NC - December 2013

• Can also look at the angle of the taker’s hips as they strike the ball. • Hips and belly button almost always point in the direction the taker wants the ball to go. • Van Persie’s hips are pointing to the goalkeeper’s right. • De Gea reads the cues well and is starting to move to make the save. NC - December 2013

• By looking at the same visual cues it is possible to see the subtle differences in technique when shooting to the opposite side of the goal. • The taker has a straighter starting position rather than the wide angled one that Van Persie had. From this position, he could still put the ball in either corner. NC - December 2013

• The other visual cues we looked at were shoulder and hip position. • With this taker, the number is clearer because his shoulders are much more level as he strikes the ball. • Due to the fact he is pulling the ball across himself, his hips are beginning to be brought around to where he is going to shoot the ball. NC - December 2013

• As he would with any shot, the keeper takes a directional step with the foot closest to where the ball is going and extends into the dive. • This is especially important with penalties as that step will take him off the line and narrow the angle for the taker a little more. • With penalties, this is usually as the player is about to strike the ball as seen here. NC - December 2013

• Lots of information available to a youth goalkeeper facing a penalty • Don’t overwhelm them • As the coach, ask them to focus on 1 cue and spend sessions practicing penalties so that the goalkeeper can recognise it over and over again. • The cue I use with my goalkeepers is the position of the player’s hips as they reach the ball • Every coach, and every goalkeeper is different. Go with whatever works. NC - December 2013

Conclusion • Being a goalkeeper is hard on the body and on the mind. • These are just a few tips and examples to help with making sure you can give your goalkeepers the best possible advise. • At younger age groups, make sure everyone has a chance to experience being a goalkeeper. • Having everyone play the position will help with their attitude when mistakes are made as they’ll realize just how difficult a position it is! NC - December 2013

Further Information Contact: Neil Cooper neil. cooper 1980@gmail. com Websites: http: //www. keeperportal. co. uk/category/articles/ http: //www. completekeeper. co. uk http: //www. thegkunion. co. uk/blog/ NC - December 2013