Author Archives: Leon

  • 28
    Apr 16
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My footwork is poor – What does this mean?

I recently worked with a goalkeeper who had been told his footwork was poor at a recent tryout. What I came back with was the following diagnosis.

I have replaced the goalkeeper in question’s name with mine to protect the innocent!

Footwork – Lateral movement.    Shuffling or gliding.
Leon moves across the goal well when instructed. Ie lateral movement through ladder. He does have a lot of movement with his head – up and down, caused by the height in which he raises his legs and not squatting to keep smooth motion. My old coach told me I have to imagine a pole through my ears so as not to have my head go up and down.
 
Course of action: Practice lateral movements. Ladder work / Shuffling between cones. Focus on quick feet and head at same height. Video him doing it so he can see what we mean.
 
 
Footwork – Adjusting to the ball once it is struck.
Leon tends to stop moving his legs once the ball is struck. The ball is often struck at different angles or at higher level, moves whilst in the air. Leon tends to forget leg work and focuses on trying to save with hands. This results in him not having his body behind the ball or turning to make a save. It is important that the goalkeeper’s body shape is correct to make a comfortable save
 
Course of action: Have shots taken from 10 – 12 yds out, into a goal just 6 yds wide. Aim chest & head height. – No diving allowed. Test how many balls are saved with body completely behind the ball. Focus on quick feet and continue to move feet even after the save is made.
 
 
Footwork – Placement of foot on side contour save
By stepping back, due to being apprehensive about a ball coming towards you ( only natural for a 10 year old ) you turn your shoulders, resulting in no second barrier, hand shapes being off and the ball going into the back of the net.
 
Course of action – Practice saves from underarm service to head height in 4yd goal with only one step needed to side to make save. Focus on being aggressive and stepping forward. Getting hands out in front of face and ensuring good hand shapes ( W’s ) – This save in US Soccer is called the “Side contour” – Not taught in UK.
 
 
Footwork – Favorite side
Leon has a favorite diving side and his lateral movement across goal reflects this. Like me he prefers to dive to his left despite being right handed. Quite unusual but there are often outside factors that affect this. The side on which he sleeps, lays down to watch TV, or weakness in a particular leg. I bet he starts a race with his left foot!!!
Leon is better moving to his right because he is weaker at diving to this side. He compensates poor diving with better feet. Likewise he is lazy on his left because he pulls off good saves on that side. OK in the small goals but will get found out in the bigger goals as they often require a shuffle prior to the dive.
 
Course of action – Start going up stairs with right foot first. Without diagnosing anything, i think he needs to work on his strength / balance of his right side. It might be his kicking foot, but the power comes from the ability to balance and have core strength with the left leg. This correlates to kicking which is below.
 
 
Footwork – Stepping leg when diving
On Leon’s weaker side, I have noticed his first step is not correct. He steps more to the side with his foot almost at right angles. It should be facing forward. By facing outwards, you are physically unable to dive forwards as you dive in line with the outside of your foot. This restriction leads to “Swimming pool” saves or taking off with the other foot. The turn in the body leads to arms getting stuck under the body and not being able to save appropriately.
 
Course of action – Leon needs to do the proposal save. One knee on floor with leading leg up – Like a proposal! Server throws the ball to the side where foot is on ground ( Not the knee side ) Focus on position of foot at the beginning and diving forward when making the save.
 
 
Footwork – Distribution from back pass
Leon’s left foot is non existent!! – All the above come into play with distribution. Ability to move into line quickly, see the ball, open up hips to control with the inside of the foot. Balance on standing foot and have strength in that same standing leg to be able to have your kicking leg swing.
 
Course of action – As mentioned before, focus should be made on balance of right root. Lots of wobble board types of things to help. Bands also allow you to stand on one foot and move other leg ( Kicking leg ) with resistance.
  • 22
    Apr 16
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Goalscoring Goalies: Penalties edition

Inspired by the fact that in recent game, the goalkeeper scored from the penalty spot not once, not twice, but three times. I thought I would showcase some great goals scored from the penalty spot by goalkeepers.

Having scored from a penalty and be scored on from the spot by a goalkeeper, I have experienced the highs and lows.

It is an interesting proposition when the goalkeeper takes the penalty as he or she should know the different penalty saving techniques outlined here.

Even if you do not prove to be the best penalty taker on the team, or become one of the top five for a penalty shoot out, you may be called upon to take a penalty if and when your team get into a sudden death penalty shoot out. You could be the hero like Adrian in the video below.

  • 12
    Apr 16
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The mistake of a goalkeeper playing on whilst injured

As goalkeepers, we all looked on in horror as we watched not one but two goalkeeping howlers by Liverpool’s Karius in the Champions League Final. If you didn’t see them, I firstly have to question where have you been? Secondly, here is the video below

I’m not going to desect the errors here, but the inspiration for me to update this original article from 2006 was the fact that it has recently come to light that the Liverpool goalkeeper has been diagnosed as concussed.

The concussion likely happened during a collision with Madrid’s Sergio Ramos in the 48th minute. It was only two minutes later that Real Madrid scored its first goal when Karius tried to roll the ball out to a defender, only to have Madrid striker Karim Benzema stick out his foot and redirect the throw into the net.

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury from a direct blow to the head that affects brain function. Regarding Karius, Mass General said in a statement: “At the time of our evaluation, Mr. Karius’s principal residual symptoms and objective signs suggested that visual spatial dysfunction existed and likely occurred immediately following the event. Additional symptomatic and objectively noted areas of dysfunction also persisted. It could be possible that such deficits would affect performance.”

The question we have to ask, is did Karius play on knowing that he had the concussion symptoms of headaches, confusion, a feeling of pressure on the head, dizziness, ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech and fatigue? 

I’m sure no one would want to admit being injured half way through the most prestigious game of your life, but the consecuences are there for all to see. Karius may never play for Liverpool again and will always be known as the goalkeeper that made two howlers in the Champions League Final.

See below for the original article where England goalkeeper, Jack Butland also played on after an injury.

April, 2016 – 

Having recently watched a very entertaining international friendly between Germany and England, the one stand out was the manor in which Germany scored their first goal.

England goalkeeper, Jack Butland was hoping to stake his claim for a Euro 2016 spot by playing for England in the absence of established Number 1 Joe Hart, but Butland suffered an injury when going to ground to collect the ball in the 41st minute. He pulled up visibly after kicking a back pass two minutes later.

The Stoke goalkeeper did not signal to the England bench after sustaining the injury and his poor kick out was pounced upon by Germany, who took the lead through a long-range shot that beat Butland at his near post. The goal was obviously a result of Butland being concerned about his injury and then not being able to spring off correctly.

After the goal and with the England goalkeeper being in some pain, he was stretchered off.

See highlights of the game below, which shows how the injury happened after the goal is scored.

 

England coach Roy Hodgson said after the England win “Let’s keep these players’ feet on the ground. Let’s keep them humble. Let’s keep them hungry to learn from their mistakes so that, next time Jack Butland is injured, he goes down and makes sure he receives treatment rather than allowing the game to play on.”

This is a lesson we can all learn from.

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  • 30
    Jan 16
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Keeping track of goals and habits title

Keeping track of goals and habits

I find that by keeping track of goals and habits to achieve throughout the year, you are less likely to fail and then give up. An example would be; 

“Run 100 miles by April 18th” ( 100 days from January 1st ), Rather than “Run a mile a day”. This way, if you miss a day you can look to make it up over time until April 18th.

What to keep track of.

I feel it is important to set goals that are measurable. The things we measure are the things we improve. It is only through measurement that we have any proof of whether we are getting better or worse.

With this in mind, you should try to be as specific as possible. For example – “This year, I want to improve my kicking distribution” may seem quite specific as kicking distribution is just one part of the distribution theme of goalkeeping. You need to be more specific than that. 

There is the following;

  • Short distance, wide, left & right
  • Playing through oncoming players to a central position ( Normally a defensive CM ) 
  • Playing into wide midfielders
  • Playing onto forwards
  • Playing beyond the forwards and the back line

Each element of this kicking distribution needs a test or a marker of success, like hitting a certain area. You then need to get your base level. ( your first attempt ) As a result, you can look to improve your score to achieve your goal.

In the Goalkeeper HQ membership, I look to break down every core competency of goalkeeping ( 102 of them ), with explanations on what they are, education so you can improve, and tests to track your progress. There is also my list of expectations for each age group. [Get the Goalkeeper HQ membership here]

How do you keep track of goals and habits?

There can be a whole article on both “Goal setting” and “Deliberate practice” but really, this article was to tell you that I have been using an app on my phone that has helped me keep track of the things I am trying to achieve. I have no affiliation with the developer and receive no benefit, I just wanted to share as it has been working for me.

The app is called “Strides”   and is described as a goals and habits tracker.Strides screenshot

Here are some examples of what I’m tracking:

Other examples that active Goalkeepers may use could be;

  • Number of goals conceded in the season
  • Mile speed
  • Number of missed practices
  • Money saved for new gloves

Let me know if you use it and what goals and habits you choose. [Leon@GoalkeeperHQ.com]

 

 

  • 11
    Jan 16
  • 1

Don’t abuse the leniency of “The 6 second rule”

So after what was meant to be a quick comment on the November incident in which Liverpool Goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet got penalized for holding on to the ball too long in what is known as “The six second rule” – I have found myself full of information about changes to the rules in the goalkeeper’s possession. Having played through many of these changes which took place in the late 80’s and early 90’s I thought it interesting to list them here.

The six second rule came as an amendment to FIFA’s Law 12 back in 1998, which states that “a goalkeeper is not permitted to keep control of the ball in his hands for more than six seconds.”

This rule was to stop the goalkeeper, who has the privilege of handling and holding the ball to delay the game and waste time for the advantage of his or her own team.

See what got Simon Mignolet punished. ( below )

 

Almost all associations agree that the rule was not meant to be strictly reinforced, and as long as the referee deems that the goalkeeper is making a sincere effort to release the ball, there is no need to strictly enforce the 6 second rule.

Some notes for goalkeepers.

  1. Possession refers to holding the ball in the hands.  If a keeper chooses to put the ball down on the ground and kick or dribble it they can take all day, as long as they don’t pick it up again.
  2. The six seconds are to be counted only after the goalkeeper is fully in control of the ball. That is after he/she gathers themselves, gets up and begins to look for a teammate to play it to
  3. As noted by US Soccer, Law 12.8 “Before penalizing a goalkeeper for violating this time limit, the referee should warn the goalkeeper about such actions and then should penalize the violation only if the goalkeeper continues to waste time or commits a comparable infringement again later in the match.”

 

As you can see from the above video, it’s only when you abuse the rule ( Mignolet takes some 22 seconds ) that you get penalized. As the goalkeeper, you will be the one to blame as there are so many distribution options….. even if you drop the ball on the floor and distribute with feet.

The result in this game and also in the 2012 Olympics USA v Canada which Erin Mcleod finally gets penalized after her 3rd lengthy delay, is in indirect free kick and a goal against.

How can we combat this?

1 ) Speak with your coach about the game tactics. Long or short distribution?

2) Ensure your team mates are aware of the plan and that they immediately get into an open space when you receive the ball

3) Increase your range of good distribution

4) Be comfortable with the ball at your feet so you can drop the ball and play if necessary.

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  • 11
    Jan 16
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The goalkeeper possession changes and rules

Upon investigating when the “Six second rule” came into play, I came across this article on the FIFA web site which lists the rule changes that goalkeepers went through prior to the six second rule that we see today. The rule that recently Simon Mignolet got pulled up on which resulted in a goal from the resulting indirect free kick.

Here is the insert from FIFA.com taken from October 31st 1997 post.

Game of cat and mouse
Goalkeepers have of course always tried different tactics (or these have been devised for them by their coaches) to exploit the handling privilege in order to use up time. The International Football Association Board, as the rule-makers of football, have repeatedly tried to counteract this, and it has resulted in a kind of running battle, or game of cat and mouse, between the Board and the goalkeepers over the years. 

It is quite a fascinating story to review, to see how we arrived at the latest rule changes introduced by FIFA on 1 July this year. 

The story starts in the early 1960s, at which time the goalkeeper was still allowed to keep the ball in his hands for virtually as long as he liked, taking as many steps as he wished in the process, as long as he bounced the ball on the ground or threw it in the air and caught again as he moved. In other words, he was free to use up as much time and penalty-area space as he wished, and it was up to the opposition to try to get the ball away from him fairly and safely ­ a virtually impossible thing to do. 

It was around this time, as gamesmanship crept in and the privilege first became systematically abused, that the rule-makers felt it necessary to fire the first salvo in the battle, by introducing the four-step rule. The goalkeeper was given up to four steps to travel while holding, bouncing or throwing the ball in the air and catching it again, without having to release it into play. 

The goalkeepers and coaches were quick to react. The goalies exploited the wording of the new law by using the four steps rule as they liked : they would hold the ball, put it on the ground after one or two steps, dribble it a few metres and still have two or three steps “in the bank” when they picked it up again ­ thus using up valuable space and time. 

The Board hits back
The Board hit back by declaring that if the goalkeeper held the ball with his hands and then put it on the ground, he would not be allowed to touch it again with his hands until it had been touched by another player. 

The goalkeepers responded by holding the ball and then throwing it to a nearest defender, sometimes only a metre or two away, who would pass it back to the goalie, who would repeat the whole process all over again … and again. Another way of wasting time, and against the spirit of the FIFA ruling. 

It was the turn of the rule-makers to react, which they did by saying that if the goalkeeper held the ball in his hands and then put it on the ground, he could not touch it again with his hands unless it was played by another player, of either team, outside his own penalty area. That meant that goalkeepers now risked having their short passes to defenders intercepted by alert opposing forwards. 

But it did not stop some goalkeepers abusing the basic privilege of handling the ball, as they developed a new tactic: that of parrying the ball instead of catching it cleanly, even when they could have done so. They would merely pat the ball down to the ground with their hands, then take their time dribbling it to the edge of their penalty area before finally picking it up and holding it in the true sense of the term. Of course the goalie could always be challenged by an opponent, but he would react by quickly picking the ball up, thus limiting the effectiveness of such a challenge. 

So the Board came up with an anti-parrying rule, saying that such deliberate parrying for the purpose of evading the Law was to be regarded also as holding the ball. That effectively put an end to that tactic. 

But still the goalkeepers continued to defy the aim of the rule-makers to prevent time-wasting, now by use of the infamous back pass. Defenders would pass back to the goalkeeper, sometimes even from the halfway line, simply to exploit his special privilege of being able to pick the ball up with his hands and stifle all movement of the game. This frustratingly negative tactic was difficult to prevent for many years, and struck a very sour note in the minds of all those who loved the game for its real spirit of skill and attack. 

The back-pass revolution
Then came the most potent salvo yet from the Board: the so-called back-pass rule. In 1992, it was ruled that if a player deliberately kicked the ball with his feet for his goalkeeper and the latter touched it with his hands or arms, there would bean indirect free-kick against him. Heading the ball, playing it with the knee, thigh or chest were all still permitted, as it was felt that such situations, deprived of the accuracy of a pass with feet, might create a chance of the opposing forwards stealing a wayward back pass to their advantage. 

Within a matter of days of this revolutionary new rule being introduced, the coaches hit back and there were some absurd attempts to circumvent the Law: players used their feet to flick the ball from the ground into the air in order to head it back to their goalkeeper, or would take a free-kick by kneeling down and passing the ball back with their knees… 

Within days, FIFA responded by making clear that any player thus deliberately negating the spirit of the new rule would be likely to be cautioned for unsporting behaviour and punished by an indirect free-kick. 

This year ( 1997 ) , after long debate, it was decided to extend the successful back-pass rule by applying it also to throw-ins from defenders to their own goalkeeper, but the urge to extend it to all back-passes (with the head, thigh, chest, etc.) was resisted. 

But the battle continues, with an important new element. From 1 July, referees have been given mandatory instructions not to permit the goalkeeper to take more than four steps while holding the ball as stipulated in Law 12, and if the goalie holds the ball for more than five or six seconds the referee must adjudge this as time-wasting and award an indirect free-kick against him.

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  • 10
    Jan 16
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The importance of learning from mistakes

The cup games often give an opportunity for coaches to play the reserve goalkeeper.

I have, in the past,  written about the importance of working hard to get back on the team and cup games are often the perfect opportunity to prove your worth.

The FA Cup 3rd round had Liverpool reserve goalkeeper, Adam Bogdan take to the field. Bogdan had recently been given an opportunity of first team football when first team Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was injured. That did not end too well as Liverpool were beaten 3-0 against Watford. Bogdan was to blame for Watford’s opener with a dropped corner. ( See below )

Dealing with mistakes is not easy. No doubt he would have practiced corners to ensure he was fully confident with dealing with them again. All goalkeepers should work on their perceived weaknesses as well as the things they are good at.

Bogdan was given his chance again 3 weeks later in the FA Cup on live TV against Exeter City,  who play 3 divisions below the Premier League, but unfortunately, another corner and another mistake left the Liverpool reserve goalkeeper red faced. (Video below )

With the ball that close to the goal, the goalkeeper is expected to deal with it. The options, are catch, punch or tip, as described in a previous article on corners.

Maybe, with the thought of the Watford corner on his mind, in which he didn’t get to the ball quick enough after his drop, he was keen to attack the ball?

It is important to not make the same mistake twice to show coaches that you have learnt from your errors and that you are coachable. Good match analysis will be able to help with this. Here is my comprehensive match analysis sheet.

Related articles:

Dealing with corners

Dealing with mistakes

Getting back on the team

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  • 17
    Dec 15
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College Coaches Consider Parents When Selecting Recruits

My trip to San Diego to help Yale, GK coach Marty Walker identify & recruit college players opened my eyes to how young players are getting looked at. Colleges are identifying players graduating in 2018! Take a look at what you should be doing at different levels at school. Interesting also to note that not one college coach ever asked what the score was in the games, but it was the parents getting worked up on the side that can only have a negative affect on players going to the college of their choice. Interesting that I saw this video passed on to me from a college coach friend in CA.

All coaches want to try to create a positive environment, and the parent on the side that becomes critical of their own son / daughter, the team, coach or opposition becomes a red flag for any future recruits.

Please see my other article on being a good soccer parent

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  • 16
    Dec 15
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AC Milan hand debut to 16-year old goalkeeper

Teenager Gianluigi Donnarumma recently became the youngest goalkeeper to play in Italy’s Serie A League. Beating out Buffon’s previous youngest debut at 17.

Born Feb 25th 1999, Gianluigi is just 16.

See the video below of all the action he had in the game. Much of which involves distribution. Notice also how all his handling was assured, giving confidence to his team, who undoubtedly would be apprehensive with having such a young goalkeeper in the team.

Since the debut which AC Milan won 2-1, Gianluigi kept his first clean sheet three days later against Chievo Verona in a 1-0 win.

He has played games since with a very impressive display against Atalanta. See the highlights of this game below.

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  • 27
    Nov 15
  • 0

Indoor soccer goalkeeping observations

Here are some thoughts from 9 years ago when I had been playing indoor soccer and wanted to give some tips to the goalkeepers I was coaching at the time.

Indoor tips

Having moved to the East Coast last November, I have been intrigued by the popularity of the indoor game and only having played outdoor or on hard gymnasium floors in England before I had to have a go. Having played last winter and this in both CT and Rhode Island, as well as refereeing and watching many other games in these areas, I see that there are some major differences in the position of goalkeeper. The intent to keep the ball out the net remains the same, but some of the techniques differ and I wanted to share my observations.

My first impression of the indoor game was that it should be easy as no longer do us goalkeepers have to defend a goal 8 ft high by 8 yards across, but in essence the boards ( when playing arena soccer in a rink ) and the speed of play are geared towards the indoor game being more offensive.

Please note that there are three types of indoor soccer. 1) Small sided version of the regular game 2) Arena soccer which is played in a rink with boards 3) Futsal, played on a hard court with slightly different rules to regular indoor soccer. 

Observation 1 is that I have noticed that shooters generally aim high on near post shots and low on far post shots. I have therefore abandoned everything I have taught regarding set position of having hands together in order to be ready for a blocking save in either of these two shooting scenarios. I keep my arm closest to the post up on one side and the arm on the far side low.

Observation 2 – Links with the hand shapes in that during indoor games, we should not expect to make the perfect save and hold on to the ball. The reality is that the ball is coming at us so quick from a short distance and often through players that it is more important to make the initial block or parry. Those of you that have enjoyed the “Imperfect World” sessions I do will remember how I preach that the main objective is to be in the best position to save, and to lower expectations on catching and change to a parry or tip technique.

Observation 3 – It is very hard to make a save and adjust to be in the best position if you are on the floor. I have learnt that by staying on my feet as much as possible I force the shooter to make the play and I can still be in position if the ball rebounds off the boards to another shooter. When playing outdoor, we can take a chance on a diving save knowing that the ball can go out of bounds and we will gain possession.

Observation 4 – Vertical play to close down angles is an important way to stay on your feet and incorporate observation #3. The movements up and down is much quicker than in outdoor soccer and the goalkeepers attitude to moving feet must reflect this. Once you have closed down the angle, you should make use of the point blank save set position or be ready to save with feet.

Observation 5 – You have to be an outfield player with the ability to make saves. If you just stay in your goal, you are essentially playing with one less player. The goalkeeper needs to be the mini quarterback of the team, draw players towards them so that your team can become open. As a goalkeeper you must always be an option to support. These eliminates the need for team mates to force the play forward. Your starting position should also reflect your good support. 

Observation 6 – The counter attack is crucial. By playing the ball quickly you can eliminate players from the other team to give a numerical advantage to your attacking team. This may be a 3 v 2 or 2 v 1 situation. In order to play quickly you need to a) have a game plan for when you catch cleanly b) get in behind the opposition players when you have caught it so they don’t get in your way c) Be prepared to dribble out of your box yourself to start the counter attack.

Here’s some examples of dribbling goalkeepers to inspire you.

https://youtu.be/H1Jwwoesc7w

Observation 7 – Know the rules. Every version of indoor soccer has variations of the rules and futsal, in particular has a different set of rules such as not being able to play back to the goalkeeper. The rules of each event may affect the way that you play, and you do not want to be responsible for letting up a goal because you were not aware of a particular rule.

 

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