Tips for a learning soccer goalie, 8th grade?
Im a brand new goal keeper and i am pretty good so far, i just am afraid to run up to the ball before they kick it at me, im scared that they will burn me and score, any tips?
ok then, 10 points to the first one who even gives me a response.
Hello =) I've been playing soccer for about 11 years now, and goalie for about 5 years or so (I'm 14, two weeks until I'm 15). I know exactly what you mean when you say that you are scared of coming out for the ball. First off, you need to be confident when you come out for the ball, it doesn't matter if the girl is Mia Hamm, you can save it.
You shouldn't just run up to the ball and try to kick it away, not only will you be off balance trying to kick the ball, but the forward is more than likely moving at full-speed, and will easily blow past you. It's a bit hard to explain (it comes with experience really), but when they are dribbling at you on a breakaway, watch the ball, not them. You should be slowly edging out of the goal as they near the 18, on your toes, and hands to your sides, and your knees slightly bent, ready for a shot, just in case they shoot before they enter the box. Once they are near the 18, and haven't shot, and show no signs of shooting, you will want to wait until they make a small mistake (such as kicking the ball to far ahead or to the side). The second they make that mistake, you need to run out, and slide on your side for the ball, using your body to smother the ball. At the very least, you can tip the ball away from the attacker as you go down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgQXNgS54wE&feature=related This video illustrates exactly what to do. Watch how she (the goalie) sees that the ball is loose from the defender, and by the time they are at the 18, she is sprinting full-speed, and is at the penalty mark. She goes down for the ball, sliding on her side, and arms outreach for the ball (covering her face slightly as well). She doesn't actually catch the ball, but she tips it, and follows up. You won't catch every breakaway, but at the very least you can tip it out so it will either go out of bounds, or far enough that your defender can recover and clear it. If you do go down and tip it, get up immediately for the next shot.
Don't be afraid of being aggressive. As a goalie, you have to be. You need to be confidant in your abilities. You won't save every shot, and stop every breakaway, but as long as you put in the effort, you will look and be amazing. Nothing is scarier than a goalie charging at you, screaming keeper, and then throwing herself at the ball. (Scarier in a good way ;] ). To gain confidence and get experience on breakaway, ask your coach to do drills, such as 1v1.
Injuries can happen, and goalies seem to get hurt fairly often, and incorrectly trying to stop a breakaway (and even correctly stopping a breakaway) can result in injury. If you are hurt, stay down, I can't push that enough.
Here are a few good articles on goalkeeping that I find helpful, or insightful;
http://www.helium.com/items/283885-what-makes-a-good-soccer-goalie
http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Soccer-Goalie
http://www.soccerpracticebooks.com/gkbasics.html
By the way, if you have any more questions regarding goalkeeping, drills, exersizes, and the like I'd love to help you out. My email address is xFuzzy_Logic@yahoo.com And good luck with goalkeeping =)
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