Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s topic deals with when a keeper has no teammates.
A keeper always has teammates but there does come a time when the keeper must act as if it’s him against the world. This time is when the keeper has called for a ball (frequently a cross) and is going after it.
First, let’s look at the theory and then the reality.
In theory, looking at the diagram above, when the player with the ball serves a ball into the box and the keeper calls “KEEPER” the following will happen. The keeper comes hard for the ball. At least one of the attackers will most likely back away because they don’t want to get hit. One of the defenders will get behind the keeper to protect the goal and the other two defenders will get out of the keepers way and try to block the attackers from the ball
This provides the keeper coverage and also helps give the keeper a clear path to the ball
The reality is frequently quite different. While it would be nice if the defenders were providing coverage and also creating space too often that isn’t the case. Instead, all three attackers and all three defenders go for the ball and this means there are a lot of obstacles in the way of the keeper in getting to the ball.
It’s in this type of a situation that the keeper must think in terms of having no teammates. It’s the keeper against everyone and if the keeper has has called for the ball, the keeper MUST WIN THE BALL. If this means going over an opponent (without fouling of course) then the keeper must do that. If it means going over a teammate then the keeper must do that. When the keeper goes for the ball his teammates SHOULD let the keeper get to the ball but if they don’t, the keeper must take it from them anyway. It’s inexcusable for the keeper to call for the ball and for the back to win it. It’s the keepers job to win any ball he calls for and if it means treating teammates like opponents, so be it. After the play is over they can address the communication problem but during the play, it’s the keeper against the world.
This is more of a mentality issue rather than a technical or tactical issue and it’s a matter of making sure the keeper knows their responsibility is to win the ball when called for.
Have a great day!
Lawrence
