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Goalkeeping Goalkeeping is the skill of protecting your goal from the shots of opponents. It is perhaps the most important position on the field; however, it is often the position most neglected by coaches. A sound, confident goalkeeper does more than just stop shots. The goalkeeper is the source of confidence for the entire team. Goalkeeping is not a position for everyone and takes good concentration and confidence. Make sure that your goalkeeper wants to play in goal and has the strength of character to be successful. Goalkeeping entails some additional safety hazards. It is important that coaches select players who can learn to play this position safely.   Except in small-sided play, each team must have a designated goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is the only player on the field who can legally use their hands, and then only inside the penalty box. Once the goalkeeper picks up the ball they have six seconds to punt it or release it. The goalkeeper is allowed to pick up the ball, run with it and then punt it, throw it or drop it and dribble or kick it. However, they cannot touch it with their hands outside the penalty box. Once the goalkeeper drops the ball, they cannot touch it again with their hands until an opponent has touched it.   The goalkeeper has special protections inside the penalty box. The ball may not be kicked if the goalkeeper is touching it with their hand or arm. The referee will call a foul if the goalkeeper is endangered. The goalkeeper must wear a shirt or jersey that is recognizably different from all other players. Goalkeepers often wear special jerseys with padded elbows. In hot weather, do not put a goalkeeper jersey on a player. They can get overheated and become sick. Instead, have them wear a different colored shirt (one shirt only) or a mesh training vest over their shirt.   If the goalkeeper has a strong leg, let them take goal kicks. Encourage the player to play aggressively: push up on the attack and come out to the edge of the penalty box or beyond to play like a second sweeper. If the goalkeeper picks up the ball and no opponents are close, encourage him to drop the ball, dribble it out and kick it. Once the goalkeeper drops the ball or is out of the penalty box, the goalkeeper can play like a field player. However, the goalkeeper cannot touch the ball with his hands. Encourage the goalkeeper to play aggressively and take chances; everyone will have much more fun if you do, and more athletes will want to play goal.   Goalkeepers tend to get blamed for goals when, most of the time, it is not their fault. If the other defenders are doing a great job, there will not be any shots on goal. Tell your goalkeeper before the game that the other team is expected to score goals, and that it is not the goalkeeper's fault if they score. Do not let anyone else, players or parents, blame the goalkeeper. In fact, after the game, have the rest of the team thank the goalkeeper, even if they did make mistakes. Encourage everyone who wants to try playing goalkeeper. You will be surprised who is good, and you really cannot predict until they actually play the position. At the very least, it will give all the players respect for how tough the position is, and they will be less likely to blame the goalkeeper when goals are scored. However, do not make an athlete play goalkeeper if they do not want to play that position.     Athlete Readiness A goalkeeper needs different skills from other players. The goalkeeper needs speed off the mark, the courage to dive on the ball and the ability to throw and catch accurately.   The beginner goalkeeper is effective only if the ball is played directly at them. This player often reacts to ground balls by kicking them away rather than using their hands. The player has limited ability to time an effective dive for shots going into the corners of the goal. Throwing the ball out to teammates may be inaccurate.   The intermediate goalkeeper has a good awareness of the goal and of basic goalkeeping techniques and responsibilities. The player shows good lateral motion to get in a good position to take a shot, and will usually attempt to get their hands to the ball. The player attempts to dive for ground shots, although these dives may be slow. This level of goalkeeper will generally not be able to drive for shots in the air or attack crosses in the air. The intermediate goalkeeper is typically able to distribute the ball accurately to teammates.   Teaching Handling Balls Coming Straight at the Goalkeeper Goalkeeping consists of occasional flurries of action and a lot of standing and waiting. Maintaining concentration when the ball is away from the goal is critical. Key Words On Your Toes Watch the Play As the ball approaches, the goalkeeper is in the ready position with their hands up, about waist height. Key Words Ready Position Hands Up Receiving High Balls         When receiving high balls, the goalie's hands form a "W" with the thumbs almost touching. This hand position allows them to get their hands behind the ball and have a greater chance at safely stopping the ball and preventing a score.     Receiving Low Balls         When receiving low balls, the goalie's hands form an "M" with the little fingers almost touching. As in receiving high balls, this hand position allows the goalkeeper to get their hands behind the ball more consistently and effectively.     If the ball is rolling along the ground, the goalkeeper must get behind the line of the ball and either scoop the ball up with the legs straight and together or go down on one knee and scoop the ball up. Key Words Get Behind The Ball Feet-Together Scoop One-Knee-Down Scoop For a ball coming in the air, a goalkeeper secures the ball with both hands. The two hands need to work together as one unit. Key Words Two Hands Catch It — Hug It   Teaching Diving for a Ground Ball It is important to learn how to dive safely, without jarring the body. By lowering the center of gravity before diving, the impact on the ground will be less and the speed to the ball increased. Key Words Stay Low Crouch Bend the Knees Goalkeeper (Dartfish)   Teach the athlete to dive on the side of the body, not flat on the stomach. Diving on the side increases the barrier in front of the ball and is safer. Key Words Side Not Stomach       Encourage the player to get both hands to the ball, then immediately bring it into the body and secure it. Key Words Two Hands To The Ball Then Hug It Goalkeeper Dive (Dartfish)     Teaching Distributing the Ball When throwing the ball out (required in 5-a-side), goalkeepers need to look wide to the wings (near the sidelines), not up the middle. Other players should get wide quickly and be open to receive the throw. Key Words Look Wide The throw can be underhand (like bowling), overhand (one-handed, like baseball), or a two-handed throw-in style. Goalkeepers need to try to distribute the ball quickly before the opponents have a chance to regroup. Key Words Quick Throw In 11-a-side, a goalkeeper can punt the ball after gaining possession. This is usually the most effective way for a Special Olympics goalkeeper to distribute the ball. Key Words Big Kick Up Field

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