Goalkeepers who do a good job of organizing their team-moving players around in specific areas —are helping their teammates prepare for an opponent’s attack while keeping themselves alert. But we’re talking about useful instructions, not cheerleading.
Shouts such as “Let’s get the ball” or “Let’s work hard” are nonsense. The instructions need to be specific, such as “Ben, watch number 10!” Effective communication from the keeper may involve telling outside players to tuck in, making sure all the attacking players are defended, or giving defenders positioning advice-for example, “Move wide, Jamal! Move wide! Number 2 is overlapping!” Using specific names and numbers keeps the goalkeeper in tune with what’s going on so he/she mind doesn’t drift or wander.
Such organizing takes place even when the keeper’s team has the ball. The keeper continues to communicate with the players closer. We call this situation “resting defense.” You want to be prepared in case the ball turns over.
The keeper must anticipate where trouble could come from and must ensure that there are enough players in that area to prevent or quickly shut down a threat.
The keeper’s instructions help defenders stay ready to work as a coordinated unit the instant a counterattack is launched.
It’s the goalkeeper’s responsibility to monitor and direct the play. Because the keeper is not directly involved in the action, but can see what’s going on and can provide some clarity on where things could develop. The keeper is not off duty just because the opponent isn’t threatening. But when the pressure is on and the field players are losing their heads, that’s when the keeper’s leadership is most important. The goalkeeper needs to be a calming influence and needs to be clean and technically sharp. In this situation, a keeper can either add to the chaos or help his/her team get back on track.
An uptight keeper won’t help frazzled defenders regain their composure. A misplayed ball that leads to a score won’t lift their spirits. But a calm, confident keeper who handles the ball cleanly can rally his/her team and put the brakes on the opponent’s momentum. This keeper can put a rebound into a safe area or hold a shot to buy time for the team to regain its composure, regroup, and reorganize.
Staying cool amid chaos comes from good training. I tell my keepers the following: “Everything you’ll see in the game, we’ve trained. So nothing will be a surprise.” It’s like taking a test at school. If you’ve studied and are prepared, there’s no cause for anxiety. Through their attitude and actions, the keeper should relay that sense of preparedness and confidence to his/her teammates.
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