TRAINING CONSIDERATIONS FOR A SOCCER GOALKEEPER
JASON METZ, MS, CSCS, TSAC-F, AND JULIA MCCRACKEN
O
n June 16, 2014, the United States National Soccer Team
played against Ghana in the first stage of the 2014
Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
World Cup. Despite a previous upset in 2010 that eliminated the
United States from the tournament, they were able to beat Ghana
by a score of 2 – 1. Clint Dempsey scored the quickest goal in the
history of the FIFA World Cup (only 29 s into the game), while
teammate and goalkeeper Tim Howard defended their goal from
strikes against their opposition. As the tournament a dvanced,
Howard’s skills were evident as he denied numerous shots against
Portugal and Germany in later matches. His new found title as the
“Secretary of Defense” during the tournament perfectly captured
how Howard caught, punched, blocked, and dove to prevent goals
from the opposing team.
ft outside of the goal post with two lines drawn at right angles
to the goal line extending out 54 ft and joined together by a line
parallel to the goal line. This area of the field has the quickest play
occurring as game situations continually change (5).
POTENTIAL GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITIES
During the course of play, numerous scoring situations can
arise that lead to a shot on goal. Corner kicks are taken from
within the corner arc (3 ft) between the goal and the touch
line. During this restart, the goalkeeper must be aware of their
positioning and utilize teammates to prevent a goal. Multiple
attackers and teammates will be involved, reinforcing the need
of communication and specific roles between players.
FIELD POSITIONING OF A GOALKEEPER
A penalty kick will occur if a foul occurs for the attacking team
within the penalty box of the opposing team or in the case of a
shootout. The penalty mark is 38 ft from the midpoint of the goal
line and requires an arc of a circle to be drawn outside the penalty
box allowing 30 ft from the center of the mark. During a penalty
kick, the goalkeeper must keep their feet on the goal line until the
kicker has made contact with the ball. This type of kick is solely
between the kicker and the goalkeeper (5).
The main area of concern to a goalkeeper during a soccer match
is the goal, goal area, and penalty box. A regulation goal in FIFA
sits centered directly atop the goal line and is 8 ft tall by 24
ft wide (between goal posts). Goals must have goalposts and
crossbars that are equal in size and do not exceed 5 in. The goal
area consists of two lines drawn at right angles to the goal line
18 ft in length from the goal posts, and are joined by an 18 ft line
drawn parallel to the goal line. The penalty box is measured at 54
Breakaways can also occur during a soccer match, where the
goalkeeper may be one-on-one with an attacker. The goalkeeper
must read the play and react accordingly in order to successfully
deny a goal. When there is only one attacker, the goalie can focus
solely on one opponent; however, multiple attackers versus the
goalkeeper is a situation that happens frequently as well. These
plays force the goalkeeper to be aware of their position on the
Goalkeepers are the last defender on the field, and the only
ones allowed use of their hands to prevent a goal scoring
opportunity. With the unique skill requirements of this position,
the training requirements also differ from other positions in the
sport of soccer.
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