Skills & Drills: Defense

Goalkeeping
This position is the dichotomy of the team. It can be fun and exciting. Or it can be completely boring, especially with younger teams that have a good offensive push. Unlike the rest of the team, it is the final sole responsibility of the goalie to stop scores, so some consolation and praise are sometime necessary to retain self-esteem. A few tips:

Goalies can only use their hands inside the penalty area, but can interact with the ball anywhere on the field.

When catching the ball, the goalie should pull the ball tightly into the body. And with younger players, teach them to ‘cuddle’ the ball on the ground and keep their body in front of the ball so that the shins, knees and feet also help stop the ball. This will reduce the number of injured hands and fingers by over ambitious opponents.

To handle the ball effectively young goalies are taught two hand positions, the W and the Heart. Many younger goalies try to trap the ball between their hands like catching a fly, rather than having the ball meet their hands.

The W is best used for the youngest goalies as this gets their hands as big as possible and keeps them from doing the ‘ fly trap’. It is formed by placing the tip of their thumbs together, with their palms toward the ball and fingers pointing upwards.

The Heart is similar but works with bigger hands. It is formed by placing the tips of the thumbs and the tips of the forefingers together. This forms an upside down heart shape between the fingers and forms a nice round ‘glove’.

When retrieving balls in the air, it is a good idea for the goalie to jump with one knee pulled up in front of him. This discourages players from running into him and protects the goalie simultaneously.

A goalie is only allowed six seconds to kick or throw the ball to a teammate. The outlet pass should be quick (but not too quick) and accurate so that the receiving player can handle the ball with control. They will want to walk to the front edge of the penalty area before distributing the ball. Note: Not generally enforced for younger players.

The larger the field, and the further the ball is from the goal, the farther the goalie plays from the goal to reduce the angle the opponent has on the goal.

Teach the goalie to move in a semi-circle from the center of the goal. Almost as if they had a string attached to their back from the center of the goal. This will keep them near the posts on close side shots and keep them prepared and ready for centering passes.

Being able to move quickly side to side and general quickness is a required skill for all goalies.

Does this sound familiar? Keep your eyes on the ball. Be able to recover quickly. You never know how fast the ball is coming back.

Note: Special thanks to Irene C for setting me straight on the ball distribution.