Four Of The Most Important Skills Every Soccer Goalkeeper Has To Develop

ByScotty Jenkins

7 min read

Four Of The Most Important Skills Every Soccer Goalkeeper Has To Develop

Goalkeepers are really the only ones on the field who you can't compete without.

Don't have a superstar forward that can take a rip with either foot? No worries, teams still score own goals on themselves all the time. Can't find a wing to throw in a ball that went out of bounds? Eventually the other team will just throw it back into play for you. You don't need midfielders either or a row defenders in the back.

But, you do need a goalie. Your team could survive a whole season with only a keeper doing the work. They would be setting records for saves and most likely goals scored against, but the game would go on and you could still get a tie if the goalkeeper was the last man standing.

So, keepers are important. It isn't the flashiest position or the one that get's the most praise - in fact, usually goalies go unnoticed until they make a great save or unfortuanately, when a zero isn't on the scoreboard anymore. But, they are the one player who is allowed to hold the fate of the game in their hands.

And that is why I want to see more young soccer athletes give it a try. So, I'm lining out the Four Most Important Skills Goalkeepers Need To Learn.


Before I tell you the first one, I wanted to give you a bonus tip and that is that every great goalie needs to lose their fear of failure. Being fearless and playing with a short memory is the major key to playing soccer well.

If you let in a goal, bounce back. If you miss your mark on a goal kick, there will be hundreds more to kick in your career. So, no matter what happens, play without fear of what could go wrong and focus on everything that can go right.

Know you are the only player on the field who really controls the game. And play free and have fun.

Alright. Now, blow the whistle and let's get this started.


1) Be Willing To Sacrifice

  • Be Gritty, Risk Your Body, And Work Harder Than The Rest

You are the last line of defense, literally. So, what happens between the pipes is going to stay there. There's no such thing as a beautiful save. There's just beautiful shots that you keep out of the net.

Whether you catch a perfectly-bent set piece just before it nestles into the upper-90 or crawl on all fours to chase down deflected ball that's rolling toward the line, a save is a save. So, get over what you look like on the field because a shut out will always look better.

Being a goalie means you are one of the craziest people on the field and you love wreaking havoc on the ones who like to score. Your job is to keep the net clean by whatever means necessary, even if you can't keep yourself clean.

Usually this means having to develop some grit. Goalkeepers most overlooked attribute is their ability to endure a tough game. When the other team is hot, you are going to see a lot of hard-kicked shots coming at all angles of the net. The most important thing to do is to always get back up and be ready for the next one.

Bouncing up from the ground and getting back to position is tough to do for 90-plus minutes, so naturally, goalkeepers have to work harder than everybody else. Your practice looks different than all of your teammates, but when the whistle blows to run at the end of the day, you'll be right there, continuing to push yourself and your teammates.

To be a great goalie, you have to love the sacrifice. You have to come into every situation, whether it's a late-season shootout or a Saturday morning practice, with the same intensity, always willing to lay out and get your kit dirty.


2) Adapt With Every Save You Make

  • Know Your Competition So You Can Predict Everything

Just because you're spending the match in your own box, doesn't mean you aren't responsible for everything on the field.

As a goalie, you have one of the best views on the field and you have to look at the game with the same mindset as a coach. For example:

  • If the other team is doubling your center-mid, you have to know that and start distributing the ball beyond them to the forwards or to either of the wings.
  • If your opponent has a forward who can create space and put pace on a shot with both feet, you need to be ready for that.
  • If your back row isn't paying attention to a wing making an attack up the opposite side, it's up to you to yell and tell them to find them.

All over the field, there are things happening that only you can see. Find out who the strongest players are and help your team create mismatches. Distribute the ball from goal kicks or overhead throws in order to exploit holes you see. Goalkeepers are able to play chess, while their teammates can only see checkers.

Additionally, keepers need to adapt with every attack the other team makes. Ask yourself questions throughout the game and know what the other team is trying to do.

Who is making the runs? How is the center-mid distributing to the forwards? What foot is each attacker most comfortable on? How deep is your back row and is the opposition taking advantage?

Seeing and analyzing each scenario not only helps your team win, but it helps you conserve energy, distribute better balls to your attackers, and stop more shots from even getting off your opponents' feet.



3) Get The Strongest Leg Around

  • Build Strength and Learn The Importance Of Field Position

The first thing a coach or a manager is going to do when looking for goalkeeper prospects is ask them to showcase their leg. Whether it's a goal kick or a set piece from outside the 18, coaches need to know how strong your leg is before they can trust you in the net.

This is because soccer is a game of field position. You can have great hands or be able to cover the entire net, but if you can't distribute the ball deep into the opponent's field from your own box, you're out of luck.

Being able to get the ball from your net to your center mid and forwards is essential. It helps your team gain possession quickly and make only a few passes upfield before they can look to score. And most importantly, booting the ball deep out of your own end makes it a lot more difficult for the other team to regain possession on your side, and that means you can have a little time to relax.

To develop a stronger leg, focus on you mechanics and raw strength. Running, squatting, and jumping is the simplest way to build leg muscles and the more strength you have, the more powerful your leg will become.

When it comes to mechanics, ensure you have a solid core and repeatable routine that gives you momentum as you step up to the ball. A goal kick, set piece, or a boot from your own box should be something you can do the same way thousand of times. Knowing what your service balls look like helps your team to field them and makes a one-touch move to get the ball upfield.

If you don't have the strongest leg, don't get discouraged. While having a boot that can put the ball anywhere on the field, accuracy and consistency are also valuable traits. If you can't get it all the way to your forwards, practice delivering the most accurate ball you can to the wings or to the center mid. If you can hit a certain spot on the field every time, your coach will help find someone who can field it routinely and help your team start the attack.

Also, another way to become a great asset as a distributer is practicing your overhead throws and drop-kicks. These are two unique ways to get the ball deep down field that involve different movements you may be more comfortable with.


4) Learn To Be The Leader

  • Be The Loudest And Most Positive Teammate No Matter What

Soccer is a game of movement. Each player moves into and out of their zones, with outside backs running the entire length of the field to join the attack.

Goalies, on the other hand, remain in one space - between the posts. You may run to the corner flags to defend an errant pass by the other team or sprint to midfield to clear a ball after your team's shot is cleared from the opponent's goal, but a majority of the 90 minutes is spent in your box.

For your team, that means they will always look to you for on-field coaching. You have to be loud. You have to tell the midfielders when they are out of positions or when they are crowding one side. You have to tell the back row where the holes are and be loud enough to get them back to their spot. A coach can't see that from the sideline. But a goalie is always checking on the spacing and effort of his ten teammates.

Additionally, because you occupy your team's goal the entire game, you have to be positive. Teammates look to you to affect the momentum of the game. A goalkeeper has the ability to keep their team in the game by keeping the net empty, but you can also affect the game by having high energy and inspiring the rest of your team on the field.

You have a positive mindset! When you make many saves in a row you can’t get too cocky. Then when you let some balls into the net, you can’t get down on yourself and quit. No one is perfect. It is impossible to save every shot. You win some and you lose some, but you will continue to improve as long as you stay positive and focused. From a goalie position you can see the game from a whole different perspective. You must be there for your team and be supportive and encouraging.



Scotty Jenkins is a staff writer for GMTM covering all kinds of events in sports. He grew up in Nebraska in the midst of the Husker football dynasty of the '90s... and has been aging rapidly ever since.

Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
Benefits of a High-School All-American Game

Benefits of a High-School All-American Game

There are over 1 million High School football players competing for greatness each year. All-Star...

ByMathias Torp | Wed Nov 08 2023
5 College Factors to Consider and Compare

5 College Factors to Consider and Compare

Choosing a college to attend is one of the most important decisions a student can make. Researching...

ByMathias Torp | Wed Nov 08 2023
The Different Levels of Collegiate Football

The Different Levels of Collegiate Football

The NCAA created three divisions in 1973, to provide fair opportunities for students to compete in...

ByMathias Torp | Wed Nov 08 2023
The Differences Between College and Junior College

The Differences Between College and Junior College

American football is a beloved sport in the United States, and many aspiring athletes dream of...

ByMathias Torp | Wed Nov 08 2023
About Boarding Schools in the US

About Boarding Schools in the US

Attending a Boarding School in the United States provides the ultimate educational experience for...

ByMathias Torp | Wed Nov 08 2023
Top Volleyball Drills for Beginners

Top Volleyball Drills for Beginners

Are you new to the sport of volleyball and looking for essential drills to improve your skills? In...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Jul 12 2023
College Sports: Five Tips To Make The Most Of Your Freshman Season

College Sports: Five Tips To Make The Most Of Your Freshman Season

Entering a new situation and thriving is extremely difficult, but being a freshman student-athlete...

ByRebekah Morris | Thu Apr 27 2023
How To Play Professional Sports Outside Of The United States

How To Play Professional Sports Outside Of The United States

Are you a young athlete aspiring to travel the world? Have you wondered which sport(s) would give...

ByNisshanth Perumalsamy | Fri Apr 07 2023
Five Reasons Why College Basketball Coaches Rescind Scholarship Offers

Five Reasons Why College Basketball Coaches Rescind Scholarship Offers

It’s what you have dreamed of, worked for, and waited on your whole life - a coveted college...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Feb 13 2023
American Football: How To Play Professional Football In Another Country?

American Football: How To Play Professional Football In Another Country?

Yes, it is definitely possible to play American football overseas. However, this is not common...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Jan 26 2023
World Cup 2022: How social issues have taken global attention off the pitch in Qatar

World Cup 2022: How social issues have taken global attention off the pitch in Qatar

Qatar has taken center stage in the sports world in recent weeks as it welcomed soccer fans for the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Dec 19 2022
How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

The NCAA Transfer Portal is a great platform that is beneficial to student-athletes. It allows...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Dec 02 2022
College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

Many soccer athletes across the United States aspire to play their sport at the college level, and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 26 2022
What is a 'Draw'? And Why Ties Still Exist in the World's Most Popular Sport

What is a 'Draw'? And Why Ties Still Exist in the World's Most Popular Sport

When it comes to the growing popularity of soccer in the United States, perhaps one of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 23 2022
Soccer Coaching: The four most popular formations and why they work

Soccer Coaching: The four most popular formations and why they work

In soccer, formations define the different positions on the field taken by each player of a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Nov 18 2022
What It's Like To Play Professional Volleyball In A Different Country

What It's Like To Play Professional Volleyball In A Different Country

At some point throughout their lifetime, every athlete has the dream to play professionally, even...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 16 2022
Four Of The Most Important Skills Every Soccer Goalkeeper Has To Develop

Four Of The Most Important Skills Every Soccer Goalkeeper Has To Develop

Goalkeepers are really the only ones on the field who you can't compete without. Don't have a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 16 2022
Transfer Portal: Does Every Athlete Who Transfers Find A New College To Play For?

Transfer Portal: Does Every Athlete Who Transfers Find A New College To Play For?

On the 15th of October, 2018 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) introduced a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 19 2022
How To Participate In The U.S. Aerials Ski Team Digital Combine On GMTM

How To Participate In The U.S. Aerials Ski Team Digital Combine On GMTM

If you’ve ever tried the sport of skiing, you’ve certainly felt the rush that comes when you speed...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 29 2022
Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Realistically, soccer coaches and managers look out for different things in soccer players during...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Sep 28 2022
The Future Of Sportscasting Is In College Classrooms

The Future Of Sportscasting Is In College Classrooms

Whenever fans watch college sports, it’s obvious that their entire focus is on the athletes on the...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Sep 26 2022
USA Bobsled and Skeleton Hosts Third Annual Digital Combine For Hopeful Olympic Athletes

USA Bobsled and Skeleton Hosts Third Annual Digital Combine For Hopeful Olympic Athletes

Coaches from the United States’ Olympic teams are serious about helping athletes from different...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 22 2022
Running: Can a long distance runner turn into a sprinter?

Running: Can a long distance runner turn into a sprinter?

Long-distance running is very different from sprint. It is interesting to see how athletes...

ByJamison White | Tue Sep 20 2022
Is playing College Soccer the best route to making the MLS?

Is playing College Soccer the best route to making the MLS?

Earlier this month, we witnessed the 2021 Major League...

ByJohnathan Wright | Sat Sep 17 2022
College Basketball: What Is The NCAA Transfer Portal And How Does It Work

College Basketball: What Is The NCAA Transfer Portal And How Does It Work

With the ever-changing NCAA and college athletics scene, transfer athletes have become more and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 15 2022
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Partners With GMTM For Future Athlete Identification

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Partners With GMTM For Future Athlete Identification

Have you watched the Olympic Winter Games and thought, ‘I want to do that’? Now you have the...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Sep 12 2022
How Athletes From Different Backgrounds Are Discovering Handball On GMTM

How Athletes From Different Backgrounds Are Discovering Handball On GMTM

Cinch Smith took a familiar route to find a place in college baseball. The 6’1” right-handed...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 01 2022
5 Tips To Help Get Recruited To Play College Soccer

5 Tips To Help Get Recruited To Play College Soccer

The college soccer recruiting process can be extremely competitive, and unfortunately, it does not...

ByJohnathan Wright | Mon Aug 29 2022
How To Participate In USA Team Handball’s Collegiate Athlete Network

How To Participate In USA Team Handball’s Collegiate Athlete Network

The handballers that represent the United States in international competition come from a variety...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Aug 24 2022
With Oklahoma and Texas to SEC, what happens to the Big 12?

With Oklahoma and Texas to SEC, what happens to the Big 12?

Conference realignments are a part of college sports. As different schools gain and lose...

ByAria Modirmassihai | Sat Aug 20 2022
Track & Field: Will there ever be another Usain Bolt?

Track & Field: Will there ever be another Usain Bolt?

The world of athletics will never forget the man who rose to dominate the sport for several...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Aug 17 2022
College Soccer: Explaining how the best collegiate players turn professional

College Soccer: Explaining how the best collegiate players turn professional

For soccer players who want to play professionally, the path differs greatly from other major...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Aug 03 2022
5 Mental Tricks To Help a Volleyball Player Who Is Struggling

5 Mental Tricks To Help a Volleyball Player Who Is Struggling

No matter who you are, no matter what kind of athlete you are, no matter how talented you are,...

ByRebekah Morris | Thu Jul 28 2022
Differences Between the NAIA to the NCAA

Differences Between the NAIA to the NCAA

Everyone is familiar with the NCAA and its 3 subsequent divisions as where the top collegiate...

ByAria Modirmassihai | Wed Jul 27 2022
Four Keys To Staying Healthy On And Off The Field

Four Keys To Staying Healthy On And Off The Field

This weekend's tragic death of a Virginia Union University football player has brought up the often...

ByMatt Wright | Tue Jul 26 2022
5 Best Volleyball Drills and Workouts to Improve Blocking

5 Best Volleyball Drills and Workouts to Improve Blocking

In volleyball, blocking is the first form of defense. Your blockers, where you place them, and...

ByRebekah Morris | Tue Jul 19 2022
How To Do A Volleyball Jump Serve: Step-By-Step Instructions

How To Do A Volleyball Jump Serve: Step-By-Step Instructions

The Jump Serve, also called the spike serve, is an essential skill for any player to learn. Players...

ByRebekah Morris | Sun Jul 17 2022
Soccer Coaching: What is each position in soccer responsible for?

Soccer Coaching: What is each position in soccer responsible for?

A proper soccer team will function at an optimal level when players in the team's setup understand...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Jul 16 2022
How does the sport of Rowing work in the Summer Olympics?

How does the sport of Rowing work in the Summer Olympics?

One of the oldest Olympics sports is Rowing. It is a sport that tests the level of endurance and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Jul 13 2022
What is the Difference between Field Hockey and Ice Hockey?

What is the Difference between Field Hockey and Ice Hockey?

Field Hockey is a sport where each team carries a hard plastic ball with the stick to the rival’s...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Jul 12 2022
Two Jobs Every College Gymnast Can Get After Their Gymnastics Career

Two Jobs Every College Gymnast Can Get After Their Gymnastics Career

It is important to understand that you cannot do gymnastics forever. Really, there is not much in...

ByTiana Schoney | Thu Jul 07 2022
The Benefits of Playing at a Power 5 School

The Benefits of Playing at a Power 5 School

Whether you are hoping to go pro or just looking to continue your sports career through college,...

ByBryan Armetta | Wed Jun 29 2022
Five Sports That Could Produce The Best U.S. Rowing Athletes

Five Sports That Could Produce The Best U.S. Rowing Athletes

Cross-country athletes have said for centuries that their sport is every other sports' punishment....

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Jun 22 2022
Are Lacrosse Players Better than Than You At Your Own Sport?

Are Lacrosse Players Better than Than You At Your Own Sport?

Lacrosse is one of the nation's fastest growing youth sports. Since Lacrosse is a combination of...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Jun 16 2022
Olympic Talent-Transfer: How These Former College Athletes Made The USA Handball Team

Olympic Talent-Transfer: How These Former College Athletes Made The USA Handball Team

Like many other Olympic sports, talent-transfer athletes make up a majority of the talent pool in...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Jun 15 2022
How To Transfer Schools As A College Volleyball Athlete

How To Transfer Schools As A College Volleyball Athlete

Whether you got recruited to your dream school or took your only offer, sometimes a transfer can be...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Jun 14 2022
How to Make Money as an Athlete

How to Make Money as an Athlete

As College Athletics test the limits of Name Image and Likeness (NIL) to funnel money directly to...

ByLeland | Thu Jun 02 2022
Why Athletes Hoping To Benefit From NIL Should Start Filming Everything They Do

Why Athletes Hoping To Benefit From NIL Should Start Filming Everything They Do

Between the ability to focus more on the sport they play and begin to take care of themselves and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri May 13 2022
How to Become the Best Outside Player and Make Coaches Believe It

How to Become the Best Outside Player and Make Coaches Believe It

Outside hitters have been voted over and over again, by players and coaches, as one of the most...

ByRebekah Morris | Sun May 01 2022
How Important Is Film Study For College Sports Recruits?

How Important Is Film Study For College Sports Recruits?

Once recruits have secured offers and made their commitment for college football, it’s easy to...

ByGarrett Brooks | Sat Apr 23 2022