is it normal for beginning goalkeepers to have off-days? Cause i'm thirteen and i've been playing keeper for a year and i have some offdays, and whenever i have them, i feel really, really bad.
Beginning Goalkeepers What do you mean by feeling bad? Do you mean you feel sick, or guilty, or what?
it's normal for keepers of ALL levels to have "off-days"...in fact almost everybody in sports will have an "off-day" only way to prevent it is through mental preparation etc
First of all, congrats on choosing the most important & noble position in all of sports. The position is not for the weak of heart. Everyone depends on you to perform, and the smallest mistake can cost your team the game. Someone has to be the keeper, though, and if you are up to it, you should stay with it. I am in my 30s and have played the position for over 20 years. I still get depressed when I do not play well. I don't know if it is the position, my personality, or both that causes my reaction. In any event, hang in there. Notice how some of the best keepers are in their 30s? It takes years of experience to learn how to read the game, anticipate your opponents moves, and to make the right decisions quickly. I think I am a better overall player now than I was 15 years ago, simply because it is a position that demands maturity. GK also helps develop your leadership skills. I suggest you stick with the position because it will help you become a better man (or woman). Good luck.
I know how you feel. I'm almost 16 and whenever I make a bad play I start getting down on myself, and my mood is absolutely terrible. My coach says I expect too much of myself, but I think I'm better than how I've been playing. How many GKs can honestly say that they have blown all chances for their team to make a district tournament?
It is definitely normal for keepers to have off days. I have been playing keeper for as long as I can remember and I still have days that are not that great. It is important that you stay emotionally strong and you do not let your mistakes hurt you during the game. It is important to notice your mistakes so you can work on them and improve but you should wait and focus on those mistakes after the game has ended. During the game just focus on your job and do not let yourself get too down or upset. Good luck with your soccer career. Have fun.
I play college soccer and still have off days, been having them since when i started playing GK(13yr old). It's tough but the worst thing you can do is let those feelings get to you. If you let a soft shot in, or feel you should've saved a shot, tell yourself it's a new game right there. Whenever I get scored on I tell myself it's a new game and try to shutout the rest of the game. Off days happen and they suck, but it's how you deal with it that makes you either average or good. You're just beginning and you still have a lot to learn. DJ Countess doesn't start for the Dallas burn at the age of 21 because he concentrates and worries about his bad days. You'll get there man, just stick with it and shake off anything that might be making you have a bad day.
It's totally normal to have "off days" as a goalkeeper. Remember, you might be a goalkeeper, but you are definitely human and you will make occasional mistakes!
Beginning Goalkeepers When I have off-days I feel bad, too. I feel better by the next day or some times in a matter of hours. Every keeper(and field player) has off days. If you handle them with a good attitude it will make them much easier to get through. You can't fix your past mistakes, so don't try to.