HIGH NOON by Graham Ramsey
Goalkeepers today need to come to terms with dealing with breakaways, be they the breakout dribbler, exploding from the pack of stranded defenders to the through ball delivered into no-man’s land between the “keeper and their back line. Too often the goalies reaction is one of panic and blind aggression. This kamikaze approach brings other problems besides giving goals away – fouling the striker will bring the “Red Card” and playing with a player down. If your team is already struggling, it’s almost a dagger in the heart play by the reckless ‘keeper to their teammates.
Like anything else, practicing in game environments and seeing these situations jump out will create a comfort zone to dealing with these problems. Also learning these key points will make the strikers life that much harder. The points are:
1) STARTING POSITION – this homework is the beginning to any save. By asking themselves this question they will be alert and probably find the correct starting spot to make the save-
“CAN THEY SCORE FROM THERE?” Good ‘keepers will ask themselves this question and respond with the right cautious answer over a 1000 times in a game.
That breakaway can come out of nowhere at any time – be ready.
2) GET INTO LINE – Always get in-between the goal and the ball. The ball has to go through or over you to score.
3) TRAVEL, TRAVEL – Where ever possible “steal” yards to narrow the distance between the “goalie and the striker. Every time the attacker comes into the ball “GET SET” and be ready for the shot.
4) READ FEET. Telescope in and study their touch. Respect good touch and be ready for the poor touch.
5) OPTIONS - Once the chip is “off” then the strikers options are to shoot low, jab-chip as the goalie goes down to save or dribble around or wide of the ‘keeper to shoot.
6) CON-CALM- Be as clever and devious as the striker. Fake a challenge or change speeds on your approach. Some even pretend to look disinterested and bored. Remember the attacker is probably far more nervous than the ‘goalie.
7) DON’T FOUL – Too many bad things happen- a penalty, plus a red card and the team has to be totally reorganized with the coach subbing players to survive. It can be the start of a nightmare and if the team is already playing poorly, often more problems are waiting to happen.
By getting it right, a dramatic “1 vs. 1” save can transform a struggling team into the belief to win. That’s the difference a goal-keeper can make to their team.
Good Luck & Great “Keeping’
Graham Ramsay
Maryland State Youth Soccer Association