While each function on the soccer field requires its own type of skill and ability, the goalkeeper position is possibly among the toughest and critical spots in the area. Being a football goalie demands dedication and concentration for 90 minutes or more. Additionally, it requires a lot of practice. We will explain how to be a good soccer goalkeeper.
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What Does the Goalie Do?
If you want the short and obvious version of this query, the goalkeeper is the person who protects your own goal so the opponent doesn’t score. But we all know that, so let us try to dig a bit deeper.
To begin with, the goalie is the only player that is allowed to utilize their hands but only from the playground. This is why this place is indeed crucial in protecting the goal. The capacity to catch or stop shots with your hands gives you power nobody else on the pitch gets.
Furthermore, the goalie is literary that the last line of this defense. He is responsible for quitting all players and shots that have passed on the defenders. This usually happens only a couple of times during every soccer match, but it’s of tremendous importance for the end result.
Why Is the Goalie So Important?
Evidently, every player on the team is important and may affect the final score. But, soccer is a very low-scoring sport by nature. One game lasts for 90 minutes (+ extra time) and generally only a goal or 2 different both groups at the conclusion. This makes every goal, scored or conceded, crucial.
The goalkeeper’s main job is to safeguard his own goal from the offensive power of the opponents, often providing exciting duels. As the previous barrier to prevent the competitor’s aims, being a goalkeeper requires all the requirements mentioned previously and much more. It is crucial they are totally ready to effectively play in this place.
How To Be A Good Soccer Goalkeeper – The Do’s and Don’ts of Being a Soccer Goalkeeper
1. Do
- Communicate with your teammates
Goalkeepers may wear a different color than the rest of their teammates, but they are still part of a cohesive group. Together with your voice and being outspoken with your teammates is crucial. Since the goalkeeper, you’ve got the best view of this pitch. Goalkeepers see everything that is happening in front of them. When in net, there’s not any action happening behind the goalkeeper, just forward.
Keeping in accordance with communicating, you should always call out when going to the ball. Whether it’s on a corner on a one-time drama, goalkeepers should use a loud voice when going for the ball. Simple calls you may create comprise a loud “Keeper” call, so teammates understand to get out of the way.
- Commit to your decision
Goalkeepers must be convinced in their decision-making. If you decide to come out of your internet to kick the ball or make a block, then make certain to stick with that decision. Second-guessing your decision may lead to retreating straight back to the internet when it is too late, setting the opposing team up to score.
Soccer is just as much a mental game as it is physical. Goalkeepers are human and therefore prone to errors just like any other participant. However, it is important to learn from mistakes and then move on. If a goalkeeper faces a shot and it goes beyond them, they ought to recover and move onto the next shot.
- Focus on game
As the goalie, it’s crucial that you remain focused and alert throughout the match. Even in those games where you get little actions between the internet, you still never want to lose concentration of the game’s activity.
- Keep Track of the Ball
You need to always keep your eye on the track of this ball as a goalie, not on the player. Goalies who concentrate on following players instead of the path of the ball run the chance of letting in a simple aim.
- Be Cognizant of Body Language
In order to master the art of goalkeeping, you must know about your body language throughout the game. As a goaltender, your body language is a key tool to your success. Don’t be reluctant to remain big in target, and throw out your arms to distract attackers on breakaways.
2. Don’t
- Don’t Be Hurried
There is nothing worse than rolling the ball directly to the feet of the competition. Do not act quickly as a goalie, instead, don’t rush and make the ideal decision.
- Don’t touch the ball outside the box
On the pitch, the goalkeepers will primarily be inside the penalty area. This is the place where goalkeepers can touch the ball with their hands. But if you step outside the penalty area, you’re considered to be a field player. As a consequence, you can’t touch the ball with your hands. At this point, you can just use your feet or head.
Touching the ball outside of the playground will be whistled as a foul, and the opposing team will receive a direct free kick.
- Don’t hold the ball longer than six seconds
Goalkeepers have a limited amount of time to hold on to the ball after making a save. Should you hold the ball for more than six minutes, then you’ll be called for a delay of the game. Based on the officiating team, a primary offense can be called to get a warning.
Conclusion
While every role on the soccer field requires its own form of skill and skill, the goalkeeper position is possibly one of the toughest and critical spots on the field. Depending on how you look at it, the goalie position can make or break a match. Being a soccer goalie demands dedication and concentration for 90 minutes or longer. It also requires a lot of practice.
