10 tips for a Soccer Goalkeeper

Here is a list of 10 tips for a soccer goalkeeper. You may print it out and read it before practice or match. However, you will not become a skillful goalkeeper by only reading this list, you will also need to adapt these tips in real soccer matches. Let’s start…

1. Be focused during the game even if the ball is far away from your 18 yard box. Many goalkeepers starts to focus when the ball is near the 18 yard box which is a bad routine

2. Don’t look for your opponent, look for the ball. Your primary mission as goalie is to save shoots from your opponents. However, you should also keep in mind that you will need to leave your 18 yard box sometimes to clear the ball. This will generally be a must at least once per game. You must therefore be prepared on this one and you cannot hold back, instead you need to fulfill the run with determination

3. Don’t stay on the line and wait for your opponent. Especially not in one vs. one situations. What you should is to run at your opponent and stretch your body to make yourself big. By doing this your opponent will need to react faster which will lead to mistakes form his/her side. He or she will need to make quicker decisions which will lead to more mistakes

4. Your team should have a backup goalie, especially in tournaments with many matches

5. When going up for crosses you cannot afford to make mistakes. Whatever you do, don’t lose the ball while you are in the air. You must also analyze the current situation carefully and don’t jump when there is no way to reach the ball. It is hard to say when you should, and when you should not jump. This is something that you will learn as your routine on the soccer field increase

6. Have confidence in yourself. This one is one of the most important things for a soccer goalkeeper and without that your performance will not be any good. Encourage yourself and don’t let a mistake discourage you. Instead analyze what you have done wrong and try not to repeat the same mistake in the next game. Keep in mind that you can’t play soccer without making mistakes. The mistakes are a part of the game

7. Let your opponent make the first move. You should not dive directly onto the ball; instead, wait for your opponent to make the first move. This will make it much easier for you to take him/her out

8. Don’t stand to far from the goal line. One yard is perfect (this assumes that the ball is on your opponents half)

9. You can’t either be afraid of getting injured while playing as soccer goalkeeper. This is important because in a 50-50 situation you cannot afford to let your opponent win

10. Try to read the body language of your opponent. Don’t just rush out and hope for the best. Remember, you need to always be 2 steps ahead of your opponent to have a chance to save a shot or to win a 1 vs 1 duel