Coaching the Goalkeeper - The Supporting Element

There are many goalkeepers who do not fully understand their role with regards to supporting their defence. Therefore they may struggle to make the correct decisions when the ball is played in behind the defending unit ahead of them or not provide the defence with the cover they require / desire.

The fundamentals of the goalkeepers starting position are:

Along the imaginary line between the centre of the goal and the ball.
The appropriate distance off their depending on where the ball is:

There are many factors and variables that can determine the starting position they must adopt:

Environmental Related

Weather Conditions – Different weather conditions can affect the goalkeepers starting position as they try to combat the implications of the circumstances.

• A wet pitch can mean the ball skids through further than would be expected on a dry pitch.
• A boggy, heavy pitch can result in the ball holding up and not running as far through as expected, it will also not bounce as high.
• A dry pitch can result in the ball bouncing higher than usual.
  Sun may impede the goalkeepers view, and therefore force them to accommodate their position for that.
• A strong wind can affect the flight of the ball, depending on the direction of the wind.

Pitch Conditions – A sloping pitch can affect how far the ball can be played in behind. At the top of the slope the ball will not travel as far through, at the bottom the ball may go further.

• Long grass will hold the ball up and stop it running through.
• No grass may mean the ball bounces and bobbles more than often.
• Some pitches may have sand patches, the ball may slow when going through such patches and the ball will not bounce as high.

Defence Related

• Depth of Defenders – How deep or high the defence will determine the position that the goalkeeper will have to adopt to cover behind them. If the game plan of the team is to play a high line, then there will be a lot of space in behind their line. Therefore the goalkeeper will have to take up a more advanced position to deter any balls into the unoccupied region. A major factor of the success of a high line to the pace of the defenders in relation to the attackers, and the speed of the goalkeeper, not just the physical speed but also their speed of thought to react to any passes played over or through.
  A deep defensive line will reduce the space behind the defenders so that the goalkeeper can begin closer to their goal line. However the goalkeeper must be prepared for any long range shots and crosses into the area as the opposition advances further.
• Position of Defenders – If there are no defenders applying pressure to the ball then the ball carrier has time to get their head up and pick a pass. The goalkeeper must then assess whether their defenders have adopted the correct positions, if they are marking their players too tight then there is the possibility that the ball can be played over the top. As a result the goalkeeper has to ensure they can get to the ball once it is played, therefore they adopt a more advanced position.
  If the defender is in the correct marking position, slightly deeper and not tight to their attacker, then the goalkeeper can afford to drop a little deeper as the defender should be able to cope with a ball over the top. However they should be prepared to offer support and an outlet to the defender as they may be chasing the ball facing their own goal and with pressure from the attacker. There only options then would be to pass the ball to the goalkeeper or play it out of the field. Ideally, possession will be regained by passing the ball back to the goalkeeper.

Opposition Related

• Player in Possession – Each player will have their own strengths and weaknesses. Therefore the goalkeeper will have to be aware of these. The goalkeeper should be aware if the player has the ability to lob the ball over them or whether they have the ability to seek out and complete a precise through ball into any space behind the defence. Is the player on their stronger or weaker foot?
• Positioning and Pace of Attackers – There are some attackers with the ability to play on the shoulders of the defenders to exploit the space they create. The attackers may be able to pull the defenders sideways before accelerating back into that space onto a ball. The goalkeeper should be aware of such movements and be prepared to regain possession of any diagonal ball, in order to do this they may have to adapt their starting position a little more sideways than usual.
• Movement of Attackers – Some teams will look to create space in advanced areas to allow runners from midfield to get the ball. The goalkeeper should be able to recognise when this is occurring, and position themselves in a more advanced position to gather any through ball attempts. They should also be aware that if they become too advanced and they do not reach the ball, they may be able to bypass the goalkeeper and roll the ball into the unprotected goal (or just lob/chip the goalkeeper).
• Game Plan – The opposition may play a more direct approach. In such cases the defence may begin to drop off and invite pressure. In such situations the goalkeeper must decide (in line with their teams own game plan) whether this is acceptable or not. Then depending on their decision position themselves accordingly (as referred to in positions of defenders).

Psychologically Related

• State of Mind – This can relate to the Goalkeeper themselves or the defenders in front of them. If they have conceded many goals recently then they may be aware of that and drop off a little deeper than normal so that they do not get caught out. This would then invite more pressure on and greatly affect the position adopted by the goalkeeper.
• Own Perception – If the goalkeeper views their team as susceptible to a long ball due to their height or speed, then the goalkeeper will be positioning themselves accordingly. The same would also be true if they view themselves as short or slow, as they will be less reluctant to come out, even if required, because they fear they these perceived weaknesses will be exposed.

It is very important that this element of the goalkeeper’s performance is focussed upon. As if the goalkeeper does not provide the defence with the correct level of support the opposition may be able to take advantage of the space and create more goal scoring opportunities.