Looking for a Goalkeeper?

Goalkeepers are the last line of defense for the team. When looking for a goalkeeper it is important to understand their role and the team’s strategy. A goalkeeper is primarily responsible for defending the goal from any attacks by their opponents. The goalkeeper is also responsible for organizing the defense, directing teammates and clearing the ball out of their own penalty area. Goalkeepers typically compensate for their teammates mistakes or lack thereof with timely saves and positional play. Goalkeepers have to make sure that they are able to stop any shots that come their way and also be able to save their team from conceding a goal. Goalkeepers need to be good at making quick decisions, ensure they are in the optimal position and also have great reflexes in order to make these saves.

What is the role of a Goalkeeper?

A goalkeeper is a player who guards the goal of the team and tries to prevent the other team from scoring. The goalkeeper is responsible for stopping any shots or crosses that come towards his goal. Also known as “goalies” or “keepers”. The goalkeeper’s kit usually includes a jersey, shorts, gloves, shoes, shin guards and socks. Some goalies also wear padded clothing for added protection.

5 Basic Rules for Goalkeepers

They are the only player on the team who can use their hands or any part of their body to stop a ball from entering their goal however there are some basic rules all keepers must follow:

1. Not allowed to use their hands to handle the ball outside of their own penalty area
2. Wear different colored clothing than other players on the field
3. Can only play the ball with their hands or arms if it was intentionally passed to them from a fellow teammate via their head or chest
4. There is no offside if an attacking teammate receives the ball directly from a goal kick anywhere on the pitch
5. Not commonly known, goalkeepers can wear a baseball cap during football matches as long as they meet the Laws of the Game

What to Look for When Looking for a Goalkeeper

There are many different types of goalkeepers in soccer, but some types are more popular than others. A sweeper keeper type is usually found in teams with a high defensive line and plays as an additional defender outside his penalty area when his team is attacking. The second type is a shot-stopper, who makes saves by diving or jumping at shots to save the goal. A third type is a “sweeper keeper”. Irregardless of the Goalkeeper style of play, having a height advantage helps a lot as a goalkeeper. Because of the amount of surface area they need to cover and protect in front of the net, keepers are typically among the tallest players on the pitch.

Ideal Goalkeeper Attributes

Goalkeepers need to be tall and agile so they can make saves even when the ball is kicked at high speeds from any distance. Most professional keepers seem to be getting taller with longer wing spans. According to Premier 1 the average height for a Goalkeeper in the English Premier League is 6ft 5”. The average Goalkeeper height in all domestic English leagues is 6ft 2.5”.

In addition to this height and wing span, goalkeepers need to be able to react quickly, have strong hands and excellent positioning. They also need to be game smart and have superb communication skills to control the defence and often times the flow of the game.

Ideal Goalkeeper Skills

Important goalkeeper skills include but are not limited to:

• Stopping shots with their hands and all parts of their body
• Punching the ball away from danger
• Communication and organizational skills to control the defence and back line
• Strong legs for powerful and accurate clearances
• Ability to throw the ball far and accurately to hit attacking fielders down field
• Excellent spatial awareness and judgement to know when to aggressively come out of the net or hold firm
• Positioning, positioning, positioning. The greatest stops are often all about positioning

Types of Soccer Played

Different types of adult soccer games are enjoyed around the world. Most key goalkeeper skills and attributes would apply to the different forms of soccer enjoyed. Nonetheless, some skills are more important depending on the type of soccer being played. Some common alternate forms of soccer include:

1. Outdoor 11 per side
2. Indoor 11 per side
3. Outdoor 6 per side & 7 per side – Smaller nets and much smaller penalty area. Height may not be as great an advantage. Positioning may also not be as important. Super quick reflexes would definitely help out your team a lot.
4. Indoor 6 per side & 7 per side – Smaller nets or goals built into the wall and much smaller penalty area. Height and positioning may not be as important. Super quick reflexes would benefit your team but so would the ability to read angles and bounces since these matches are often play on hard courts and enclosed or partially enclosed facilities.
5. Outdoor or Indoor 3 per side – Typically played without a goalie and just popup nets. So if you are a goalie, enjoy the run!
6. Pick-Up Soccer – This could organized as an indoor or outdoor match. Please refer to the above.
7. Indoor Futsal – Very fast paced game typically played with smaller (but not that small) nets. The ball is a little smaller and firmer. Agility and super quick reflexes are definitely a must for Futsal. Size and wing span may not be as crucial but would definitely be an asset.

Please refer to Subsneeded’s blog on the Different Types of Soccer games for more details.

Who is the Best Goalkeeper in the World in 2022?

This question is one of the most controversial debates in football. There are many different opinions on who is the best goalkeeper in the world. Some say that Thibaut Courtois is the best because he has won the Golden Glove award for three consecutive years. Others say that Manuel Neuer is better because he has been nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year four times and was awarded with it twice.

The best goalkeepers in the world are often from countries that have a strong history of producing top-level footballers. Some countries that historically produce the most quality goalkeepers includes Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

This debate will be ongoing. It will only end when a new goalkeeper comes along and takes over one of these players’ positions as the number one Goalkeeper in the World. Irregardless of who is the best goalkeeper at this time, watching any of them in action will give you some insights as to the attributes and skills you should be looking for in your goalkeeper.

Conclusion

The goalkeeper is the last line of defense in a soccer game, so it is important to choose one who can consistently make saves. The keeper is definitely the hardest position to play in soccer. Many famous goalkeepers and goalkeepers tend to play thru longer careers. They are important in every aspect of the game, from keeping their defensive line organized to communicating with and protecting teammates.

In order to be a successful goalie, keepers need excellent hand-eye coordination and lightning-fast reflexes. quick thinking and excellent organizational skills. An excellent goalkeeper will command and control the back line and can significantly influence the other teammates on the pitch since the goalkeeper has the best viewing angle of the entire field. In addition to all the skills and attributes listed above, having a healthy height and reach advantage will definitely prove advantageous. Nonetheless, you should consider the type of soccer played as well. Not all skills are equally important depending on the form of soccer played.

With this article, we hope that you have found some useful tips in your quest for the perfect Goalkeeper for your team. If you are an adult team in desperate need of a goalkeeper or just looking for a goalkeeper, check out all our available Goalkeepers on Subsneeded. We have soccer goalkeepers from across the nation with listings highlighting their skills, experience level and availability. Good luck!