Understanding the Game as a Field Player: Crucial for Beginning Goalkeepers

As a beginning goalkeeper, it’s easy to focus solely on improving your saves and mastering the technical aspects of the position. However, understanding the game as a field player would is incredibly important for the success of any goalkeeper.

Firstly, knowledge of tactics can help a goalkeeper anticipate where the ball is likely to end up during a play. A good goalkeeper should always be aware of positioning, knowing where to stand during different scenarios such as corners, free kicks, and penalties. This knowledge can only come from understanding where players are expected to be, and how they are likely to move in different situations.

Secondly, the beginning goalkeeper needs to read the game and analyze the movements of the opposing team is essential for any good goalkeeper. Understanding the way an opponent’s forwards operate, their strengths and weaknesses, can lead to a keeper being better positioned and better able to make saves. As a goalie, you are the last line of defence, and you need to be able to adapt to the play and make quick and effective decisions based on the opposition’s tactics.

Each Goalkeeper session should involve a practice with field playing.

Lastly, the skill set of field players is something that a goalkeeper also needs to keep in mind. Understanding the different moves a forward might use to try to score, such as feints or dribbling techniques, can help a goalkeeper to adjust their approach and make the save. Additionally, being aware of the typical positions and roles of defenders can help a goalie to work together with them in organizing the defense and keeping the opposing team out.

While technique is certainly a crucial aspect for the beginning goalkeeper, understanding tactics and the skills of outfield players is just as important. A great goalkeeper needs to be able to read the game, anticipate plays, and work effectively with the rest of the team in order to be successful. By mastering both technical and strategic aspects of the game, a beginning goalkeeper will be well on their way to becoming a well-rounded and impactful player