Goalkeeping is among the most important things that soccer players need to do. Goalkeeping skill will determine the success of the whole team, because it is quite unlikely that opponent’s striking players will be blocked by defenders all the time. Goalkeepers are more flexible in handling the ball. They are allowed to use any part of their body to touch the ball, including both of their hands. Therefore, it is important for goalkeepers to practice proper catching and handling on a regular basis. Positioning is also essential for goalkeepers and they need to determine from where the attack may be directed.
When it comes to goalkeeping skill, positioning is very essential, because goalkeepers need to exactly know all the times from where the ball may arrive. If the ball is touched outside the 18-yard box, the opposing team will be awarded a free kick. In some cases, the goalkeepers could receive a yellow card for the offense.
Goalkeepers should know the proper tactics in the area of sport. They should know how to read the other team. Like other soccer players, they also need to possess excellent reflexes, throwing ability, hand to eye coordination, concentration, agility, speed and courage. Many soccer matches should be highly proficient in goalkeeping drills. A goalkeeper should be prepared to receive shots from any area and they should expect the unexpected, such as redirection or back pass from teammates. The keeper needs to position themselves, so they are in a perfect position to stop the ball. They need to quickly dive to the left and right. If possible, they may need to be able to deflect the ball with their fingertips.
Goalkeepers need to be brave in challenging the opposition. They need to decide whether they should catch or punch away the ball. While goalkeepers need to keep the ball out from the goal, they also need to arrange the defensive positions during free kicks that could be threatening. This will significantly minimize the chance of the opponent scoring a goal.
.Everything goalkeepers do, they need to do that relatively quickly. Often, they have only about six seconds to decide what to do with the incoming ball. Goalkeepers should know how to rely on their quick pace. They need to get rid the balls in the short, allotted time. Goalkeepers need to be accurate and quick, so the opposing team will not be able to penetrate the last line of defence. Any ball that the goalkeeper kicks back should be out of reach and it needs to be directed only to a teammate. Some people seem to be born as goalkeepers. However, they still need a lot of practice and experience to be a decent goalkeeper.
Goalkeepers need to face quick shots over and over again, preferable from unexpected directions, so they can improve their intuition and reflexes. In a soccer game, no two shots are alike. One basic concept of goalkeeping is to make sure that the goalkeeper is always between the ball and the net. This can be quite difficult to do because ball can be passed to different opposing players.