Category Archives: Distribution

The three things college coaches are looking for from prospective new goalkeepers

Throughout the last few months, I have been looking through a number of goalkeeping recruitment videos in the hope to find a goalkeeper for the Division 1 college I am currently working for. I have in earlier posts, talked about what makes a good goalkeeper recruitment video, but what is it that a goalkeeper coach, assistant coach and head coach are all looking for from prospective new goalkeepers?

A physical ability to keep the ball out of the net

If you are going to be on the squad of a college level team, you have to be good enough to do the job of your position. For Goalkeepers, the most obvious job is to keep the ball out of the back of the net. The goalkeeper should show evidence of the ability to keep the ball out of the net from a variety of scenarios. Shot stopping has a number of sub-topics which need to be shown. Low shots, high shots, point blank saves, angled shots, shots to the left and shots to the right are examples. A proof also that the goalkeeper can be brave by diving at feet and calculated by collecting a variety of different crosses. If a goalkeeper can make these saves, you will gain attention.

Show areas that you can still improve. That you have not reached your ceiling.

College coaches are not expecting goalkeepers to be the finished article. You will hopefully have four years to improve. What is the difference between showing you have not yet reached a ceiling and actually being poor? The key is in the consistency. If the goalkeeper has proved that they can keep the ball out of the net as mentioned above, the coaches will ask for full game footage. In this game footage, coaches will be looking to see if there are any common trends that may raise a red flag. Here are some examples:

• Inability to dive to one side.
• Poor goal kicks, distance wise.
• If any height concerns affect collection of crosses or ability to command the box.
• Lack of bravery in traffic
• Goalkeeper not coming off line

Things that can be helped improve.

• Accuracy of kicking
• Turning tips around posts into catches
• Turning punches from crosses into catches
• Tempo of the game
• Improved starting position

It is also important for any potential goalkeeper to know that they are not the finished article and are willing to take on board information from any / all of the coaches

Provide evidence of quality distribution.

This is the one thing that players / parents leave out of recruitment videos, but is one of the most important for coaches looking at potential goalkeepers. The goalkeepers will be working in a group of 3 or 4 throughout the year. More often than not there will be scenarios in practice where quality service is required. Whether you work in pairs or as a group including the goalkeeper coach, all goalkeepers need to be consistent with quality service. 

Here are some examples:

• Volleys / half volleys to partner
• Shots on target from angled positions
• To provide different speeds on shots in order to work, yet not kill the goalkeeper.
• Ability to cross a ball consistently
• Quick footwork for rondo or small sided games with outfield players.
• Ability to hit a target area for a restart in a phase of play

If a prospective goalkeeper can not achieve the required service on a consistent basis for scenarios mentioned above, the other goalkeepers, the goalkeeping coach and the head coach will get frustrated. It is one thing if you, as a goalkeeper is not the best, but you soon fall out of favor if you are stopping others from becoming the best they can be due to your lack of quality service.

Here are some action points:

1. Ensure you are starting a library of different saves for highlights
2. Have a number of full games ready to show if needed
3. Keep working on distribution and ability to serve

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Controlling the tempo of the game with Goal Kicks

With the advent of the 6 second rule when in possession, the goal kick provides the only opportunity we have to speed up or slow down the game.

Your desire to do each will depend on the situation.

• Current score,
• Number of players on your team,
• Conditions at the time,
• How long is left.

I just wanted to show this clip from a recent US Development Academy game, whereby leading by one goal and under a bit of pressure with 5 minutes to go before the end of the game, the goalkeeper slows the game and elects to go long with the goal kick, despite the fact that the teams philosophy is to play short.

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Goalkeeper’s distribution from hands

The goalkeeper is the last line of defense, but also the first line of attack.  ( Hence the name of the Goalkeeping glove, L1 )

The goalkeeper, through distribution, can dictate the tempo of the game

Distribution accounts for for than 60% of goalkeepers role. *

Distribution from hands accounts for around 16% of distribution *

ROLL

Used for short distances. Must have some zip to it to avoid interceptions, but not bouncing as this is difficult for your outfield players to control.

JAVELIN 

Used for slightly longer distances. This throw is designed with quickness in mind. Having made a catch, the javelin throw is used to set up a counter attack. Called Javelin as the bent arm action resembles throwing a Javelin. A low stance and a flick of the wrist creating spin on the ball helps reduce a bounce which is then difficult for players to control.

OVERARM

Can be used in two ways

1 – Up and over opposition players that have committed forward

2 – Fast distribution to a player that is quite a distance away

As with other methods, this throw must be low and fast with minimal bounce.

This video shows Tim Howard using an overarm throw to set up Landon Donovan’s World Cup Goal

More examples of overarm throws:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvsJwlFeKzQ&feature=youtu.be

All methods of distribution need the following three things from the goalkeeper.

• Decision of distribution
• Communication to give an instruction
• Support by following the ball

I will not be coaching this bizarre yet effective throwing technique shown here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnAAzRrxjKA

* Based on English FA study of Women’s Euro Championship
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Back Pass – Facts

The goalkeeper is the last line of defense, but also the first line of attack. (Hence the name of the goalkeeping gloves L1)

The goalkeeper, through distribution can dictate the tempo of the game

Distribution accounts for for than 60% of goalkeepers role. *

Distribution from feet accounts for around 32% of distribution *

Goalkeepers use of possession should compliment the team’s strategy & system of play.

The Goalkeeper should be a soccer player first and have in addition, the knowledge and ability to play in goal.

That fact, as well as the fact that 71% of a goalkeeper’s distribution in a game do not involve the hands requires the goalkeeper to be competent with the ball at their feet and the back pass situation.

With good vertical play and a confidence to play with feet outside the area, the goalkeeper’s position can lead to an extra player advantage on the field.

The best example of a modern day goalkeeper with this trait is Manuel Neuer.

See related articles

Breaking down the Courtois back pass mistake

The back pass

The importance of a good first touch from a backpass

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