What makes a good goalkeeper?  I often wonder how so many different types of athletes end up as world-class goalkeepers.  What do they do different from one another?  What qualities, if any, do all good goalkeepers share with one another?  I came up with the following list of things that I think all good goalkeepers have, or should aspire to have in no particular order:

 

1. Good Communication Skills…I would honestly take a goalkeeper who can organize a defense with his/her exceptional communication skills, than a goalkeeper who can dive from post to post, that keeps his/her yapper shut the entire game.

 

1. Someone who can bounce back from humiliation and ridicule VERY quickly.  Paired with this superhuman power, is a flipside.  A keeper who can make a world class save, and immediately go back to doing his/her job without fanfare.  I once saw Shay Given make a save that no human should have been able to make…while all of his teammates were jumping all over him he was more worried about where he should position folks for the ensuing corner, than taking the praise.  On the other side of that coin, I once saw Jorge Campos make a ridiculous save, only to have his concentration lapse in his after glow, and let in a softy 30 seconds later. 
2. Good, quick feet.  I do not care how tall you are, how powerful your dives are, how good your catching ability is, a goalkeeper must have good quick feet.  I often watch the pro guys before games in Columbus, and one thing is constant, the good ones all have fast feet.

 

1. Good hand eye coordination.  I think that’s why American GK’s seem to do pretty well.  We group up playing lots of sports that require massive amounts of hand eye coordination.  If you notice the really good goalkeepers, like Seaman, Shilton, Buffon, they always seem to watch the ball into their hands.  One save that really demonstrates this is Seaman’s wonder save, where he literally palms the ball out of the goal.  His eyes are incredibly focused. 

 

 

1. Willingness to take physical punishment day in and day out.  Lets face it, Goalkeepers are masochists in a way…We voluntarily step in front of pounding shots, strikers legs, elbows, and rock hard craniums to protect our fortress.  If you are not willing to set your body on the line on a daily basis, you’re probably not playing between the pipes. 

 

1. A willingness to learn.  Goalkeeping is the most technical of football positions.  It demands constant practice and tweaking.  Something as simple as an un-tucked elbow, or a missed step on a dive forward can sink your play into the doldrums.  A goalkeeper who is willing to learn, willing to constantly strive to improve, will generally be very successful.

 

 

1. A general disdain for all outfield players from the opposing team.  When I play, even if my ailing father was on the other team, and his dying wish was to score a goal, I would still do my best to keep the ball out of the net.  That is just the goalkeeper’s way. 

 

 

I think if you have a portion of all of the traits above, and more importantly, have a passion to learn the traits above (amongst dozens of other things) you will be a good goalkeeper.  Until next time…Cheers!

 

Chewie

 

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Posted Nov 14 2006, 07:35 AM by ChewieGK1