Tips for goalies?

[SoccerLuva]

My team's goalie recently quit the team, and with two weeks until our next game, we're trying to find out who on my team can replace her. I played goalie a very little bit last season (my first season) and I was good at saving goals, but my kick-offs were terrible.

At my next practice, I'm thinking of trying goalie just to see how it feels, because I think I could be a lot more aggressive than some of the girls on my team who are experimenting with goalie. But if anyone has any tips for me, I'd really appreciate it (seriously, any tips at all!). I don't want to get in the goal and end up looking like a complete idiot and have my teammates all yell at me if I let a goal in (we yell at each other a lot, lol). :rolleyes: Thanks...

[blacksun]

If you let in a goal, yell at your defenders before they can yell at you :)
Seriously, though, as keeper you need to take charge of the defense. Talk to them, yell at them, whatever is needed to make sure everybody is on the same page (your page).

[SoccerLuva]

Will do! :D Any tips for one on one when the an attacker gets by the defense and it's just me and her?

[Middle Of The Shed]

Always try and stay on your feet for as long as possible and always try to make yourself big (yes the term that is always used in football and I still don't think half the time people know what they mean when they say this- me included of course :D)
Also if you can try and narrow the attackers angles down, this can be done by trying to force them to one side or whatever.
Usually though the attacker will always get the best of the keeper in one on one situations, so if you save a one on one situation you'll look good, if you don't no need to worry as no one ever expects goalies to save them anyway :p

Oh and a good tip in general is always look at your positioning and keep practicing your handling, probably the two most vital aspects needed if your going in goal.

[realtalk101]

SoccerLuva, I played keeper for 13 years from youth ranks (AYSO and top level club) through college and a short try out with an A-League team. I have also coached many keepers of all ages, some who are now playing D1 soccer. There are a ton of tips that can be shared with you. But some of the essentials (a few have already been said):

1. Stay on your feet as long as possible. If you go down to the ground, you've made the striker's job too easy.
2. When an opponent is about to strike the ball, be sure that your feet are set. In other words, make sure that you are not moving in any direction. This will allow you to use maximum effort in saving the shot instead of fighting your momentum, often times which is moving forward. Think about it, if you are moving forward is it harder or easier to move side to side versus being stationary and going side to side.
3. Talk to your teammates. Know when it is time to raise your voice (usually when things are getting close to the 18-yard box or on set pieces or when your team is not listening to you.) When the ball is on the other end of the field stay involved in the match by keeping things organized in the back and always maintain a proper angle on the ball (see below). Alway be sure that you are defending a man or woman up. For instance you want 3 v 2 in the back not 2 v 2.
4. Angles. Angles are essential. An easy way to check your angles is by imaging a line going from the middle of the goal, through the middle of your back, to the middle of the ball. This will 99.9% of the time give you the right angle. Another way to quick check is by glancing at your goal posts (when learning angles, people will often go past their posts without even knowing).
5. If you are a new to keeping and haven't developed good technique in diving or if you play at a lower level (no offense if you do), it may benefit you to cheat a little bit to your near post (the closet post to the ball) just 1 or 2 steps. This will help so you don't get beat to your near post (which, as a keeper, is a big no-no) and challenge strikers to beat you to the far post, which is easier said than done, unless you are with some great players.
6. Be brave! You asked about 1 v 1 situations. The above rules still apply, but when the striker gets to a point where you are 100% sure that you can win the ball off their feet, go strong and hard with your hands shooting at the ball, not your feet, with all your strength and courage. It's the best feeling in the world when you snag the ball right off the forwards feet and watch them go flying in the air because you just came through the ball super clean.
7. Have fun and smile. After all, why else play the beautiful game!!!

Best of luck to you in your adventures! Keeper can be a tough but rewarding position. You can be not needed for 89 minutes (or however long you play) and in the last minute of the game have to make a huge save that calls on your mind, physical ability and attention. If you are young, soccer has a lot of life lessons to teach. I know that I am where I am because of it. Enjoy the game and love it. Thrive off the passion!