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Shut down the opponent and stop every shot. Only The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper will show you how to combine awareness, technique, and physical conditioning to anticipate the opponent’s every move.
In The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper, renowned goalkeeping coach Tim Mulqueen shares his secrets and provides unparalleled instruction for developing the skills, techniques, and mental mind-set for mastering the game’s toughest position:
• Stance, positioning, and footwork
• Leaping, diving, and saving shots at various heights
• Orchestrating the defense and distributing the ball
• Reading the game, including shooters, angles, and set plays
• Penalty kicks and situation-specific tactics
• Specific conditioning exercises to develop explosive power, sharpen eye–hand coordination, and improve reaction time
The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper also includes advice from leading goalkeepers, analysis of many of the game’s stellar saves, and exclusive insights from today’s top attackers on the defensive weaknesses they try to exploit.
From tactics to strategies, The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper is simply the most complete guide available for players and coaches of the game’s most challenging position.
Chapter 1. Is That a Keeper? Assessing and Selecting Goalkeepers
Chapter 2. Hero to Zero to Hero: Goalkeeping’s Mental Challenges
Chapter 3. Coach and Keeper: Building a Unique Partnership
Chapter 4. The Save Starts Before the Shot
Chapter 5. Diving Saves: To Fly and Land Safely
Chapter 6. Distribution: The Keeper as Orchestrator
Chapter 7. Expect the Unexpected: Reading the Game
Chapter 8. Catch Them if You Can: Handling Crosses
Chapter 9. Ready? Set Play!
Chapter 10. In the Spotlight: Penalty Kicks
Chapter 11. Practice, Practice, Practice
Chapter 12. Hitting the Peak: Physical Conditioning
Tim Mulqueen has been coaching goalkeepers at all levels since 1990 and is currently the goalkeeper coach with the United States national teams. He is also the goalkeeper instructor for the U.S. Soccer Federation A, B, and C licenses and has helped in the establishment and curriculum for the newly formed U.S. Soccer Federation goalkeeping license.
Mulqueen was an assistant coach and goalkeeper coach for the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He has coached athletes who have gone on to achieve worldwide recognition, including England Premier League players Tim Howard, Kasey Keller, Marcus Hahnemann, and Brad Guzan. Before joining U.S. Soccer, Mulqueen coached in the MLS where he won the 2000 MLS Cup and Supporters Shield. While in the MLS, Tim coached Zach Thornton, who went on to win the 1998 Goalkeeper of the Year award. Tim also coached U.S. international goalkeeper Tony Meola when, in 2000, he became the only goalkeeper to win the MLS MVP Award, in addition to being named Goalkeeper of the Year. Mulqueen has coached in four Youth World Cups, two at the U-20 level and two at the U-17 level. He resides in Bradenton, Florida, with his wife, Kathleen, his son, Trevor, and daughter, Cate.
Mike Woitalla is the executive editor of Soccer America, where he has worked since 1985. He has covered four World Cups for the magazine and has reported on soccer from 17 nations. His freelance articles have appeared in more than 30 media outlets in eight countries.
Woitalla is a regular contributor to the British soccer monthly When Saturday Comes and has won six NSCAA Writing Contest awards as well as two Professional Soccer Reporters of America awards. He is the coauthor of former U.S. national team captain Claudio Reyna's book More Than Goals.
Woitalla is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, where he was a member of the Golden Bears varsity soccer team. He currently coaches youth soccer and is married to Holly Kernan, a public radio producer, host, and reporter. They live in Oakland, California, with their daughter.
“If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old… [The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper] is more than a series of exercises: It delves into all the aspects of the position and the coach–player relationship… And that’s what makes this book so valuable to the future of goalkeepers—it speaks to both the player and the coach.”
Tim Howard-- U.S. Soccer Men's National Team, Everton Football Club
"The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper is a must-have for goalkeepers and their coaches. From tactics to strategies, Mulqueen and Woitalla cover it all."
Peter Nowak -- Head Coach, Philadelphia Union
Understanding the goalkeeper as an orchestrator
Because they can start with the ball in their hands, goalkeepers have more options than field players do for how they can relay the ball to teammates.
Punt: Height and Distance
Punting involves striking the ball in the air after dropping it from the hands (figure 6.1). This type of kick enables the keeper to send the ball a long distance upfield and with height.
Keepers should swing through the ball and land on their performing (kicking) foot. The punt is not as accurate as the drop kick or sidewinder. In fact, the punt often results in a 50-50 ball. A punt may even give an edge to the opponent's players because they are facing the ball and can run into it, sending it back the way it came.
The punt is used when a keeper wants to buy time for his team and gain some territory, especially if his team has been under pressure. Keepers also use this technique if the surface that they are playing on does not allow for a safe drop kick.
Drop Kick: Speed and Accuracy
The drop kick is a half-volley strike. The keeper drops the ball from his hands and makes contact with his foot after the ball has taken a quick, short bounce off the ground (figure 6.2). The drop kick is a more accurate way for the keeper to advance the ball up the field than the punt.
Precise drop kicks enable teams to launch quick counterattacks. They are valuable offensive weapons when the keeper quickly and accurately gets the ball to a teammate before the opposition has time to recover and organize their defense.
Sidewinder: Deadly Counterattack
The sidewinder kick is the most difficult of the three techniques but can be the most effective. The sidewinder requires the keeper to perform a side volley to distribute the ball to a teammate. The keeper throws the ball slightly to the side, turns his body to that side, and brings his hips in line with the height of the ball as he strikes it (figure 6.3).
Read more about The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper.
When did Tim Howard know he wanted to be a goalkeeper?
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old.
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old. He made me feel like I was doing something special.
Before that camp, I was a kid on the team with enough skill to score goals while on the field and prevent them when I took my turn in the goal. Then came the camp. Coach Mulqueen took aside the kids who volunteered for keeper training. That in itself was intriguing. We would be doing something unique, something the rest of the campers weren't doing. And Tim was enthusiastic in a way that made us feel like we were on a special mission.
When he trained us, I soon became aware that goalkeeping wasn't just about getting your body in front of the ball to block shots and catch balls. As Tim showed us the fundamental techniques and revealed that making a save required a precisely executed series of movements, the position took on a whole new meaning and became even more enjoyable.
Coach Mulqueen showed us how much skill and thought go into goalkeeping. Because of that, it became a fascinating challenge. I realized that there is an art to goalkeeping, and I was improving dramatically. It's a long road to mastering the position. But I was a better goalkeeper after each session with Coach Mulqueen.
After that first camp, I started going to Coach Mulqueen's weekly goalkeeper sessions and played for his club team. When I was selected to Olympic development program teams, there he was, ready to train the keepers. Amazingly, he would also coach me when I became a pro with Major League Soccer's Metro-Stars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) and on occasions with the U.S. national team.
Coach Mulqueen has coached keepers of all ages, from youngsters to seasoned pros. And it's remarkable how similar his methods are at each level. Of course, at the younger ages, the training isn't as vigorous. His demeanor adjusts accordingly to children, who need more patience and inspiration than pros. He knows when players are physically and mentally prepared to move on to new challenges. But goalkeeper fundamentals are the same for all ages.
Tim was more than a coach to me. He helped me mature both as a player and as a person. He showed me how to respect others and how to earn respect. He even nagged me about my studies. And now that I've spent years playing in the English Premier League, I see how his influence helped me attain that success—and how his approach provides an excellent example for other goalkeeper coaches.
So much about good goalkeeper training is the ability to teach proper technique and to run fun and productive practice sessions. But there's much more to it than setting up drills. Exceptional goalkeeper coaches build confidence, critique effectively, and help players learn how to read the game. That's why this book is more than a series of exercises: It delves into all the aspects of the position and the coach-player relationship.
However crucial good coaching is, the responsibility does ultimately rest on the player. And that's what makes this book so valuable to the future of goalkeepers—it speaks to both the player and the coach.
Tim Howard
U.S. Men's National Team
Everton FC
Stop goals with proper diving technique
These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
No matter where the ball is headed, the proper technique for a diving save will include some basic procedures. These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
The keeper should always start in the proper ready position. The weight is on the balls of the feet, the knees are slightly bent, the upper body is leaning slightly forward, and the hands and head are in place. In this position, the keeper is poised for action.
The shoulders should stay square to the field regardless of which side the ball has been hit to so that the keeper is in position to land on the side. Rotating the shoulders over will result in a “Superman” dive, which covers less of the goal and makes it nearly impossible to catch the ball. The Superman dive sets the keepers up to land on their belly, which increases the risk of rib, collarbone, and wrist injuries.
If the shot is close, the keeper can use a short, quick shuffle step (if needed) to get nearer to the shot before diving. If the shot is headed farther away, the keeper should use a crossover step to get closer to the ball before diving. The goalkeeper should point the near foot—the foot closest to the ball—diagonally at the path of the ball to start the body in a forward motion. The near foot should provide the power to begin traveling to the ball. Depending on the distance, getting to the ball may require short shuffle steps, a crossover step, or a wedge step (a short and quick step in the direction of the ball used for power and explosion). The keeper should push or drive the hips through the shot to help cover the distance and to allow for maximum body mass behind the ball. The keeper must not arch toward or dive over the ball; the upper body should be on a diagonal path straight to the ball and should be relaxed to form a cushion for the ball. The head is held still, and the eyes look through the window created by the arms and hands.
For low saves, once the keeper has traveled the necessary distance to make the save, the keeper begins the fall with a progressive collapsing at the ankle, the side of the calf, the thigh, and the hip. The arms are bent and extended off the body to create a lane for the body to fall on the side. With the palms facing the ball, both hands should move together to the side that the shot is aimed at. This will automatically lower the upper body. Whenever possible, keepers should try to make the save with two hands. If they are forced to use one hand, it should be a stiff hand to push the ball to safety. They must not flick the ball away with the wrist. Especially when balls are hit with pace, flicking the ball increases the chance that the keeper will merely deflect the ball into the goal; a stiff-handed push applies more surface area to the ball and allows greater control. The keeper can use a caught ball as a “third hand” to cushion the fall to the ground.
Getting Down: Saving Low Balls
The most common shot that a goalkeeper faces is the low ball. Keepers need to fall to save the low ball, and the save is best made when the keeper takes a straight line to save the shot. The proper technique for saving a low ball includes these steps:
- Begin to move in the direction of the ball.
- Point the toe of the foot nearest the ball diagonally at the path of the ball (figure 5.1a).
- Turn the palms to the ball, and bring the hands to the shot (figure 5.1b).
- Collapse into the fall, beginning with the feet and moving up the body (figure 5.1c).
- Get behind the ball.
- Make the save off the body and quickly wrap both arms around the ball (figure 5.1d).
Dealing with the back pass: Exercises for goalkeepers
The following exercises will help keepers master the ability to deal with the back pass.
Back Pass With Both Feet
Setup
Place two cones about 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass at her right foot from server 1 and returns a first-touch pass. Server 2 strikes a pass to the keeper's left foot, and the keeper returns the pass on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have servers deliver balls at a faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball. If only one server is available, have the server deliver passes to each side of the keeper from a position directly across from the keeper.
Back Pass With Movement
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands across from and 5 to 10 yards away from each cone. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper shuffles over to cone 1 (to his right) and receives a pass from server 1. The keeper returns the ball on the first touch . The keeper then shuffles over to cone 2, receives a pass from server 2, and returns it on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 12 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the servers strike the balls for faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball.
Continuous First-Touch Back Pass
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Server 1 begins with a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass from server 1. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 2. Server 2 plays the ball back to the keeper. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 1.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play two-touch balls back to the servers.
Changing the Point of Attack
This exercise develops the keeper's ability to play a ball out of the back for possession to an outside back or wide midfielder. The keeper receives the ball from one side of the field and plays it out to the other side. This is called changing the point of attack (CPA).
Setup
Server 1 is at the top of the D with a supply of balls. Servers 2 and 3 set up on the opposite side of the field as a back and an outside midfielder. The keeper sets up near the edge of the goal area in front of the server.
Procedure
Server 1 plays a ball into the feet of the goalkeeper. The keeper takes a touch and hits a driven ball out to server 2. Server 1 plays another ball to the keeper, who takes a touch and sends it to server 3.
Repetitions
After sending eight balls to the keeper, the servers move to the opposite side of the field and send another eight balls.
Variations
Add additional players (or cones set up as targets). The goalkeeper drives balls to various targets.
Everton Back Pass
This exercise incorporates a shot into back-pass training.
Setup
The goalkeeper sets up off the right post. Use cones or markers, if desired, to set off an area from which the keeper receives and sends balls. Server 1 stands in front of the keeper, about 12 yards away. Server 2 sets up in the penalty arc.
Procedure
Server 1 rolls a pass to the goalkeeper. The keeper receives the ball and takes two touches to play the ball to server 2; the keeper then moves across the goal area to align with server 2. Server 2 controls the ball and shoots on goal. The keeper makes the save and returns the ball to server 1.
Repetitions
After four to six shots on goal, server 1 and the keeper set up on the other side of the goal, and the sequence is repeated for another four to six shots.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play the ball on the first touch to server 2. Have server 2 hit first-touch shots.
Understanding the goalkeeper as an orchestrator
Because they can start with the ball in their hands, goalkeepers have more options than field players do for how they can relay the ball to teammates.
Punt: Height and Distance
Punting involves striking the ball in the air after dropping it from the hands (figure 6.1). This type of kick enables the keeper to send the ball a long distance upfield and with height.
Keepers should swing through the ball and land on their performing (kicking) foot. The punt is not as accurate as the drop kick or sidewinder. In fact, the punt often results in a 50-50 ball. A punt may even give an edge to the opponent's players because they are facing the ball and can run into it, sending it back the way it came.
The punt is used when a keeper wants to buy time for his team and gain some territory, especially if his team has been under pressure. Keepers also use this technique if the surface that they are playing on does not allow for a safe drop kick.
Drop Kick: Speed and Accuracy
The drop kick is a half-volley strike. The keeper drops the ball from his hands and makes contact with his foot after the ball has taken a quick, short bounce off the ground (figure 6.2). The drop kick is a more accurate way for the keeper to advance the ball up the field than the punt.
Precise drop kicks enable teams to launch quick counterattacks. They are valuable offensive weapons when the keeper quickly and accurately gets the ball to a teammate before the opposition has time to recover and organize their defense.
Sidewinder: Deadly Counterattack
The sidewinder kick is the most difficult of the three techniques but can be the most effective. The sidewinder requires the keeper to perform a side volley to distribute the ball to a teammate. The keeper throws the ball slightly to the side, turns his body to that side, and brings his hips in line with the height of the ball as he strikes it (figure 6.3).
Read more about The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper.
When did Tim Howard know he wanted to be a goalkeeper?
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old.
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old. He made me feel like I was doing something special.
Before that camp, I was a kid on the team with enough skill to score goals while on the field and prevent them when I took my turn in the goal. Then came the camp. Coach Mulqueen took aside the kids who volunteered for keeper training. That in itself was intriguing. We would be doing something unique, something the rest of the campers weren't doing. And Tim was enthusiastic in a way that made us feel like we were on a special mission.
When he trained us, I soon became aware that goalkeeping wasn't just about getting your body in front of the ball to block shots and catch balls. As Tim showed us the fundamental techniques and revealed that making a save required a precisely executed series of movements, the position took on a whole new meaning and became even more enjoyable.
Coach Mulqueen showed us how much skill and thought go into goalkeeping. Because of that, it became a fascinating challenge. I realized that there is an art to goalkeeping, and I was improving dramatically. It's a long road to mastering the position. But I was a better goalkeeper after each session with Coach Mulqueen.
After that first camp, I started going to Coach Mulqueen's weekly goalkeeper sessions and played for his club team. When I was selected to Olympic development program teams, there he was, ready to train the keepers. Amazingly, he would also coach me when I became a pro with Major League Soccer's Metro-Stars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) and on occasions with the U.S. national team.
Coach Mulqueen has coached keepers of all ages, from youngsters to seasoned pros. And it's remarkable how similar his methods are at each level. Of course, at the younger ages, the training isn't as vigorous. His demeanor adjusts accordingly to children, who need more patience and inspiration than pros. He knows when players are physically and mentally prepared to move on to new challenges. But goalkeeper fundamentals are the same for all ages.
Tim was more than a coach to me. He helped me mature both as a player and as a person. He showed me how to respect others and how to earn respect. He even nagged me about my studies. And now that I've spent years playing in the English Premier League, I see how his influence helped me attain that success—and how his approach provides an excellent example for other goalkeeper coaches.
So much about good goalkeeper training is the ability to teach proper technique and to run fun and productive practice sessions. But there's much more to it than setting up drills. Exceptional goalkeeper coaches build confidence, critique effectively, and help players learn how to read the game. That's why this book is more than a series of exercises: It delves into all the aspects of the position and the coach-player relationship.
However crucial good coaching is, the responsibility does ultimately rest on the player. And that's what makes this book so valuable to the future of goalkeepers—it speaks to both the player and the coach.
Tim Howard
U.S. Men's National Team
Everton FC
Stop goals with proper diving technique
These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
No matter where the ball is headed, the proper technique for a diving save will include some basic procedures. These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
The keeper should always start in the proper ready position. The weight is on the balls of the feet, the knees are slightly bent, the upper body is leaning slightly forward, and the hands and head are in place. In this position, the keeper is poised for action.
The shoulders should stay square to the field regardless of which side the ball has been hit to so that the keeper is in position to land on the side. Rotating the shoulders over will result in a “Superman” dive, which covers less of the goal and makes it nearly impossible to catch the ball. The Superman dive sets the keepers up to land on their belly, which increases the risk of rib, collarbone, and wrist injuries.
If the shot is close, the keeper can use a short, quick shuffle step (if needed) to get nearer to the shot before diving. If the shot is headed farther away, the keeper should use a crossover step to get closer to the ball before diving. The goalkeeper should point the near foot—the foot closest to the ball—diagonally at the path of the ball to start the body in a forward motion. The near foot should provide the power to begin traveling to the ball. Depending on the distance, getting to the ball may require short shuffle steps, a crossover step, or a wedge step (a short and quick step in the direction of the ball used for power and explosion). The keeper should push or drive the hips through the shot to help cover the distance and to allow for maximum body mass behind the ball. The keeper must not arch toward or dive over the ball; the upper body should be on a diagonal path straight to the ball and should be relaxed to form a cushion for the ball. The head is held still, and the eyes look through the window created by the arms and hands.
For low saves, once the keeper has traveled the necessary distance to make the save, the keeper begins the fall with a progressive collapsing at the ankle, the side of the calf, the thigh, and the hip. The arms are bent and extended off the body to create a lane for the body to fall on the side. With the palms facing the ball, both hands should move together to the side that the shot is aimed at. This will automatically lower the upper body. Whenever possible, keepers should try to make the save with two hands. If they are forced to use one hand, it should be a stiff hand to push the ball to safety. They must not flick the ball away with the wrist. Especially when balls are hit with pace, flicking the ball increases the chance that the keeper will merely deflect the ball into the goal; a stiff-handed push applies more surface area to the ball and allows greater control. The keeper can use a caught ball as a “third hand” to cushion the fall to the ground.
Getting Down: Saving Low Balls
The most common shot that a goalkeeper faces is the low ball. Keepers need to fall to save the low ball, and the save is best made when the keeper takes a straight line to save the shot. The proper technique for saving a low ball includes these steps:
- Begin to move in the direction of the ball.
- Point the toe of the foot nearest the ball diagonally at the path of the ball (figure 5.1a).
- Turn the palms to the ball, and bring the hands to the shot (figure 5.1b).
- Collapse into the fall, beginning with the feet and moving up the body (figure 5.1c).
- Get behind the ball.
- Make the save off the body and quickly wrap both arms around the ball (figure 5.1d).
Dealing with the back pass: Exercises for goalkeepers
The following exercises will help keepers master the ability to deal with the back pass.
Back Pass With Both Feet
Setup
Place two cones about 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass at her right foot from server 1 and returns a first-touch pass. Server 2 strikes a pass to the keeper's left foot, and the keeper returns the pass on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have servers deliver balls at a faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball. If only one server is available, have the server deliver passes to each side of the keeper from a position directly across from the keeper.
Back Pass With Movement
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands across from and 5 to 10 yards away from each cone. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper shuffles over to cone 1 (to his right) and receives a pass from server 1. The keeper returns the ball on the first touch . The keeper then shuffles over to cone 2, receives a pass from server 2, and returns it on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 12 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the servers strike the balls for faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball.
Continuous First-Touch Back Pass
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Server 1 begins with a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass from server 1. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 2. Server 2 plays the ball back to the keeper. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 1.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play two-touch balls back to the servers.
Changing the Point of Attack
This exercise develops the keeper's ability to play a ball out of the back for possession to an outside back or wide midfielder. The keeper receives the ball from one side of the field and plays it out to the other side. This is called changing the point of attack (CPA).
Setup
Server 1 is at the top of the D with a supply of balls. Servers 2 and 3 set up on the opposite side of the field as a back and an outside midfielder. The keeper sets up near the edge of the goal area in front of the server.
Procedure
Server 1 plays a ball into the feet of the goalkeeper. The keeper takes a touch and hits a driven ball out to server 2. Server 1 plays another ball to the keeper, who takes a touch and sends it to server 3.
Repetitions
After sending eight balls to the keeper, the servers move to the opposite side of the field and send another eight balls.
Variations
Add additional players (or cones set up as targets). The goalkeeper drives balls to various targets.
Everton Back Pass
This exercise incorporates a shot into back-pass training.
Setup
The goalkeeper sets up off the right post. Use cones or markers, if desired, to set off an area from which the keeper receives and sends balls. Server 1 stands in front of the keeper, about 12 yards away. Server 2 sets up in the penalty arc.
Procedure
Server 1 rolls a pass to the goalkeeper. The keeper receives the ball and takes two touches to play the ball to server 2; the keeper then moves across the goal area to align with server 2. Server 2 controls the ball and shoots on goal. The keeper makes the save and returns the ball to server 1.
Repetitions
After four to six shots on goal, server 1 and the keeper set up on the other side of the goal, and the sequence is repeated for another four to six shots.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play the ball on the first touch to server 2. Have server 2 hit first-touch shots.
Understanding the goalkeeper as an orchestrator
Because they can start with the ball in their hands, goalkeepers have more options than field players do for how they can relay the ball to teammates.
Punt: Height and Distance
Punting involves striking the ball in the air after dropping it from the hands (figure 6.1). This type of kick enables the keeper to send the ball a long distance upfield and with height.
Keepers should swing through the ball and land on their performing (kicking) foot. The punt is not as accurate as the drop kick or sidewinder. In fact, the punt often results in a 50-50 ball. A punt may even give an edge to the opponent's players because they are facing the ball and can run into it, sending it back the way it came.
The punt is used when a keeper wants to buy time for his team and gain some territory, especially if his team has been under pressure. Keepers also use this technique if the surface that they are playing on does not allow for a safe drop kick.
Drop Kick: Speed and Accuracy
The drop kick is a half-volley strike. The keeper drops the ball from his hands and makes contact with his foot after the ball has taken a quick, short bounce off the ground (figure 6.2). The drop kick is a more accurate way for the keeper to advance the ball up the field than the punt.
Precise drop kicks enable teams to launch quick counterattacks. They are valuable offensive weapons when the keeper quickly and accurately gets the ball to a teammate before the opposition has time to recover and organize their defense.
Sidewinder: Deadly Counterattack
The sidewinder kick is the most difficult of the three techniques but can be the most effective. The sidewinder requires the keeper to perform a side volley to distribute the ball to a teammate. The keeper throws the ball slightly to the side, turns his body to that side, and brings his hips in line with the height of the ball as he strikes it (figure 6.3).
Read more about The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper.
When did Tim Howard know he wanted to be a goalkeeper?
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old.
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old. He made me feel like I was doing something special.
Before that camp, I was a kid on the team with enough skill to score goals while on the field and prevent them when I took my turn in the goal. Then came the camp. Coach Mulqueen took aside the kids who volunteered for keeper training. That in itself was intriguing. We would be doing something unique, something the rest of the campers weren't doing. And Tim was enthusiastic in a way that made us feel like we were on a special mission.
When he trained us, I soon became aware that goalkeeping wasn't just about getting your body in front of the ball to block shots and catch balls. As Tim showed us the fundamental techniques and revealed that making a save required a precisely executed series of movements, the position took on a whole new meaning and became even more enjoyable.
Coach Mulqueen showed us how much skill and thought go into goalkeeping. Because of that, it became a fascinating challenge. I realized that there is an art to goalkeeping, and I was improving dramatically. It's a long road to mastering the position. But I was a better goalkeeper after each session with Coach Mulqueen.
After that first camp, I started going to Coach Mulqueen's weekly goalkeeper sessions and played for his club team. When I was selected to Olympic development program teams, there he was, ready to train the keepers. Amazingly, he would also coach me when I became a pro with Major League Soccer's Metro-Stars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) and on occasions with the U.S. national team.
Coach Mulqueen has coached keepers of all ages, from youngsters to seasoned pros. And it's remarkable how similar his methods are at each level. Of course, at the younger ages, the training isn't as vigorous. His demeanor adjusts accordingly to children, who need more patience and inspiration than pros. He knows when players are physically and mentally prepared to move on to new challenges. But goalkeeper fundamentals are the same for all ages.
Tim was more than a coach to me. He helped me mature both as a player and as a person. He showed me how to respect others and how to earn respect. He even nagged me about my studies. And now that I've spent years playing in the English Premier League, I see how his influence helped me attain that success—and how his approach provides an excellent example for other goalkeeper coaches.
So much about good goalkeeper training is the ability to teach proper technique and to run fun and productive practice sessions. But there's much more to it than setting up drills. Exceptional goalkeeper coaches build confidence, critique effectively, and help players learn how to read the game. That's why this book is more than a series of exercises: It delves into all the aspects of the position and the coach-player relationship.
However crucial good coaching is, the responsibility does ultimately rest on the player. And that's what makes this book so valuable to the future of goalkeepers—it speaks to both the player and the coach.
Tim Howard
U.S. Men's National Team
Everton FC
Stop goals with proper diving technique
These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
No matter where the ball is headed, the proper technique for a diving save will include some basic procedures. These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
The keeper should always start in the proper ready position. The weight is on the balls of the feet, the knees are slightly bent, the upper body is leaning slightly forward, and the hands and head are in place. In this position, the keeper is poised for action.
The shoulders should stay square to the field regardless of which side the ball has been hit to so that the keeper is in position to land on the side. Rotating the shoulders over will result in a “Superman” dive, which covers less of the goal and makes it nearly impossible to catch the ball. The Superman dive sets the keepers up to land on their belly, which increases the risk of rib, collarbone, and wrist injuries.
If the shot is close, the keeper can use a short, quick shuffle step (if needed) to get nearer to the shot before diving. If the shot is headed farther away, the keeper should use a crossover step to get closer to the ball before diving. The goalkeeper should point the near foot—the foot closest to the ball—diagonally at the path of the ball to start the body in a forward motion. The near foot should provide the power to begin traveling to the ball. Depending on the distance, getting to the ball may require short shuffle steps, a crossover step, or a wedge step (a short and quick step in the direction of the ball used for power and explosion). The keeper should push or drive the hips through the shot to help cover the distance and to allow for maximum body mass behind the ball. The keeper must not arch toward or dive over the ball; the upper body should be on a diagonal path straight to the ball and should be relaxed to form a cushion for the ball. The head is held still, and the eyes look through the window created by the arms and hands.
For low saves, once the keeper has traveled the necessary distance to make the save, the keeper begins the fall with a progressive collapsing at the ankle, the side of the calf, the thigh, and the hip. The arms are bent and extended off the body to create a lane for the body to fall on the side. With the palms facing the ball, both hands should move together to the side that the shot is aimed at. This will automatically lower the upper body. Whenever possible, keepers should try to make the save with two hands. If they are forced to use one hand, it should be a stiff hand to push the ball to safety. They must not flick the ball away with the wrist. Especially when balls are hit with pace, flicking the ball increases the chance that the keeper will merely deflect the ball into the goal; a stiff-handed push applies more surface area to the ball and allows greater control. The keeper can use a caught ball as a “third hand” to cushion the fall to the ground.
Getting Down: Saving Low Balls
The most common shot that a goalkeeper faces is the low ball. Keepers need to fall to save the low ball, and the save is best made when the keeper takes a straight line to save the shot. The proper technique for saving a low ball includes these steps:
- Begin to move in the direction of the ball.
- Point the toe of the foot nearest the ball diagonally at the path of the ball (figure 5.1a).
- Turn the palms to the ball, and bring the hands to the shot (figure 5.1b).
- Collapse into the fall, beginning with the feet and moving up the body (figure 5.1c).
- Get behind the ball.
- Make the save off the body and quickly wrap both arms around the ball (figure 5.1d).
Dealing with the back pass: Exercises for goalkeepers
The following exercises will help keepers master the ability to deal with the back pass.
Back Pass With Both Feet
Setup
Place two cones about 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass at her right foot from server 1 and returns a first-touch pass. Server 2 strikes a pass to the keeper's left foot, and the keeper returns the pass on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have servers deliver balls at a faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball. If only one server is available, have the server deliver passes to each side of the keeper from a position directly across from the keeper.
Back Pass With Movement
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands across from and 5 to 10 yards away from each cone. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper shuffles over to cone 1 (to his right) and receives a pass from server 1. The keeper returns the ball on the first touch . The keeper then shuffles over to cone 2, receives a pass from server 2, and returns it on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 12 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the servers strike the balls for faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball.
Continuous First-Touch Back Pass
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Server 1 begins with a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass from server 1. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 2. Server 2 plays the ball back to the keeper. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 1.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play two-touch balls back to the servers.
Changing the Point of Attack
This exercise develops the keeper's ability to play a ball out of the back for possession to an outside back or wide midfielder. The keeper receives the ball from one side of the field and plays it out to the other side. This is called changing the point of attack (CPA).
Setup
Server 1 is at the top of the D with a supply of balls. Servers 2 and 3 set up on the opposite side of the field as a back and an outside midfielder. The keeper sets up near the edge of the goal area in front of the server.
Procedure
Server 1 plays a ball into the feet of the goalkeeper. The keeper takes a touch and hits a driven ball out to server 2. Server 1 plays another ball to the keeper, who takes a touch and sends it to server 3.
Repetitions
After sending eight balls to the keeper, the servers move to the opposite side of the field and send another eight balls.
Variations
Add additional players (or cones set up as targets). The goalkeeper drives balls to various targets.
Everton Back Pass
This exercise incorporates a shot into back-pass training.
Setup
The goalkeeper sets up off the right post. Use cones or markers, if desired, to set off an area from which the keeper receives and sends balls. Server 1 stands in front of the keeper, about 12 yards away. Server 2 sets up in the penalty arc.
Procedure
Server 1 rolls a pass to the goalkeeper. The keeper receives the ball and takes two touches to play the ball to server 2; the keeper then moves across the goal area to align with server 2. Server 2 controls the ball and shoots on goal. The keeper makes the save and returns the ball to server 1.
Repetitions
After four to six shots on goal, server 1 and the keeper set up on the other side of the goal, and the sequence is repeated for another four to six shots.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play the ball on the first touch to server 2. Have server 2 hit first-touch shots.
Understanding the goalkeeper as an orchestrator
Because they can start with the ball in their hands, goalkeepers have more options than field players do for how they can relay the ball to teammates.
Punt: Height and Distance
Punting involves striking the ball in the air after dropping it from the hands (figure 6.1). This type of kick enables the keeper to send the ball a long distance upfield and with height.
Keepers should swing through the ball and land on their performing (kicking) foot. The punt is not as accurate as the drop kick or sidewinder. In fact, the punt often results in a 50-50 ball. A punt may even give an edge to the opponent's players because they are facing the ball and can run into it, sending it back the way it came.
The punt is used when a keeper wants to buy time for his team and gain some territory, especially if his team has been under pressure. Keepers also use this technique if the surface that they are playing on does not allow for a safe drop kick.
Drop Kick: Speed and Accuracy
The drop kick is a half-volley strike. The keeper drops the ball from his hands and makes contact with his foot after the ball has taken a quick, short bounce off the ground (figure 6.2). The drop kick is a more accurate way for the keeper to advance the ball up the field than the punt.
Precise drop kicks enable teams to launch quick counterattacks. They are valuable offensive weapons when the keeper quickly and accurately gets the ball to a teammate before the opposition has time to recover and organize their defense.
Sidewinder: Deadly Counterattack
The sidewinder kick is the most difficult of the three techniques but can be the most effective. The sidewinder requires the keeper to perform a side volley to distribute the ball to a teammate. The keeper throws the ball slightly to the side, turns his body to that side, and brings his hips in line with the height of the ball as he strikes it (figure 6.3).
Read more about The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper.
When did Tim Howard know he wanted to be a goalkeeper?
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old.
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old. He made me feel like I was doing something special.
Before that camp, I was a kid on the team with enough skill to score goals while on the field and prevent them when I took my turn in the goal. Then came the camp. Coach Mulqueen took aside the kids who volunteered for keeper training. That in itself was intriguing. We would be doing something unique, something the rest of the campers weren't doing. And Tim was enthusiastic in a way that made us feel like we were on a special mission.
When he trained us, I soon became aware that goalkeeping wasn't just about getting your body in front of the ball to block shots and catch balls. As Tim showed us the fundamental techniques and revealed that making a save required a precisely executed series of movements, the position took on a whole new meaning and became even more enjoyable.
Coach Mulqueen showed us how much skill and thought go into goalkeeping. Because of that, it became a fascinating challenge. I realized that there is an art to goalkeeping, and I was improving dramatically. It's a long road to mastering the position. But I was a better goalkeeper after each session with Coach Mulqueen.
After that first camp, I started going to Coach Mulqueen's weekly goalkeeper sessions and played for his club team. When I was selected to Olympic development program teams, there he was, ready to train the keepers. Amazingly, he would also coach me when I became a pro with Major League Soccer's Metro-Stars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) and on occasions with the U.S. national team.
Coach Mulqueen has coached keepers of all ages, from youngsters to seasoned pros. And it's remarkable how similar his methods are at each level. Of course, at the younger ages, the training isn't as vigorous. His demeanor adjusts accordingly to children, who need more patience and inspiration than pros. He knows when players are physically and mentally prepared to move on to new challenges. But goalkeeper fundamentals are the same for all ages.
Tim was more than a coach to me. He helped me mature both as a player and as a person. He showed me how to respect others and how to earn respect. He even nagged me about my studies. And now that I've spent years playing in the English Premier League, I see how his influence helped me attain that success—and how his approach provides an excellent example for other goalkeeper coaches.
So much about good goalkeeper training is the ability to teach proper technique and to run fun and productive practice sessions. But there's much more to it than setting up drills. Exceptional goalkeeper coaches build confidence, critique effectively, and help players learn how to read the game. That's why this book is more than a series of exercises: It delves into all the aspects of the position and the coach-player relationship.
However crucial good coaching is, the responsibility does ultimately rest on the player. And that's what makes this book so valuable to the future of goalkeepers—it speaks to both the player and the coach.
Tim Howard
U.S. Men's National Team
Everton FC
Stop goals with proper diving technique
These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
No matter where the ball is headed, the proper technique for a diving save will include some basic procedures. These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
The keeper should always start in the proper ready position. The weight is on the balls of the feet, the knees are slightly bent, the upper body is leaning slightly forward, and the hands and head are in place. In this position, the keeper is poised for action.
The shoulders should stay square to the field regardless of which side the ball has been hit to so that the keeper is in position to land on the side. Rotating the shoulders over will result in a “Superman” dive, which covers less of the goal and makes it nearly impossible to catch the ball. The Superman dive sets the keepers up to land on their belly, which increases the risk of rib, collarbone, and wrist injuries.
If the shot is close, the keeper can use a short, quick shuffle step (if needed) to get nearer to the shot before diving. If the shot is headed farther away, the keeper should use a crossover step to get closer to the ball before diving. The goalkeeper should point the near foot—the foot closest to the ball—diagonally at the path of the ball to start the body in a forward motion. The near foot should provide the power to begin traveling to the ball. Depending on the distance, getting to the ball may require short shuffle steps, a crossover step, or a wedge step (a short and quick step in the direction of the ball used for power and explosion). The keeper should push or drive the hips through the shot to help cover the distance and to allow for maximum body mass behind the ball. The keeper must not arch toward or dive over the ball; the upper body should be on a diagonal path straight to the ball and should be relaxed to form a cushion for the ball. The head is held still, and the eyes look through the window created by the arms and hands.
For low saves, once the keeper has traveled the necessary distance to make the save, the keeper begins the fall with a progressive collapsing at the ankle, the side of the calf, the thigh, and the hip. The arms are bent and extended off the body to create a lane for the body to fall on the side. With the palms facing the ball, both hands should move together to the side that the shot is aimed at. This will automatically lower the upper body. Whenever possible, keepers should try to make the save with two hands. If they are forced to use one hand, it should be a stiff hand to push the ball to safety. They must not flick the ball away with the wrist. Especially when balls are hit with pace, flicking the ball increases the chance that the keeper will merely deflect the ball into the goal; a stiff-handed push applies more surface area to the ball and allows greater control. The keeper can use a caught ball as a “third hand” to cushion the fall to the ground.
Getting Down: Saving Low Balls
The most common shot that a goalkeeper faces is the low ball. Keepers need to fall to save the low ball, and the save is best made when the keeper takes a straight line to save the shot. The proper technique for saving a low ball includes these steps:
- Begin to move in the direction of the ball.
- Point the toe of the foot nearest the ball diagonally at the path of the ball (figure 5.1a).
- Turn the palms to the ball, and bring the hands to the shot (figure 5.1b).
- Collapse into the fall, beginning with the feet and moving up the body (figure 5.1c).
- Get behind the ball.
- Make the save off the body and quickly wrap both arms around the ball (figure 5.1d).
Dealing with the back pass: Exercises for goalkeepers
The following exercises will help keepers master the ability to deal with the back pass.
Back Pass With Both Feet
Setup
Place two cones about 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass at her right foot from server 1 and returns a first-touch pass. Server 2 strikes a pass to the keeper's left foot, and the keeper returns the pass on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have servers deliver balls at a faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball. If only one server is available, have the server deliver passes to each side of the keeper from a position directly across from the keeper.
Back Pass With Movement
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands across from and 5 to 10 yards away from each cone. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper shuffles over to cone 1 (to his right) and receives a pass from server 1. The keeper returns the ball on the first touch . The keeper then shuffles over to cone 2, receives a pass from server 2, and returns it on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 12 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the servers strike the balls for faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball.
Continuous First-Touch Back Pass
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Server 1 begins with a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass from server 1. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 2. Server 2 plays the ball back to the keeper. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 1.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play two-touch balls back to the servers.
Changing the Point of Attack
This exercise develops the keeper's ability to play a ball out of the back for possession to an outside back or wide midfielder. The keeper receives the ball from one side of the field and plays it out to the other side. This is called changing the point of attack (CPA).
Setup
Server 1 is at the top of the D with a supply of balls. Servers 2 and 3 set up on the opposite side of the field as a back and an outside midfielder. The keeper sets up near the edge of the goal area in front of the server.
Procedure
Server 1 plays a ball into the feet of the goalkeeper. The keeper takes a touch and hits a driven ball out to server 2. Server 1 plays another ball to the keeper, who takes a touch and sends it to server 3.
Repetitions
After sending eight balls to the keeper, the servers move to the opposite side of the field and send another eight balls.
Variations
Add additional players (or cones set up as targets). The goalkeeper drives balls to various targets.
Everton Back Pass
This exercise incorporates a shot into back-pass training.
Setup
The goalkeeper sets up off the right post. Use cones or markers, if desired, to set off an area from which the keeper receives and sends balls. Server 1 stands in front of the keeper, about 12 yards away. Server 2 sets up in the penalty arc.
Procedure
Server 1 rolls a pass to the goalkeeper. The keeper receives the ball and takes two touches to play the ball to server 2; the keeper then moves across the goal area to align with server 2. Server 2 controls the ball and shoots on goal. The keeper makes the save and returns the ball to server 1.
Repetitions
After four to six shots on goal, server 1 and the keeper set up on the other side of the goal, and the sequence is repeated for another four to six shots.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play the ball on the first touch to server 2. Have server 2 hit first-touch shots.
Understanding the goalkeeper as an orchestrator
Because they can start with the ball in their hands, goalkeepers have more options than field players do for how they can relay the ball to teammates.
Punt: Height and Distance
Punting involves striking the ball in the air after dropping it from the hands (figure 6.1). This type of kick enables the keeper to send the ball a long distance upfield and with height.
Keepers should swing through the ball and land on their performing (kicking) foot. The punt is not as accurate as the drop kick or sidewinder. In fact, the punt often results in a 50-50 ball. A punt may even give an edge to the opponent's players because they are facing the ball and can run into it, sending it back the way it came.
The punt is used when a keeper wants to buy time for his team and gain some territory, especially if his team has been under pressure. Keepers also use this technique if the surface that they are playing on does not allow for a safe drop kick.
Drop Kick: Speed and Accuracy
The drop kick is a half-volley strike. The keeper drops the ball from his hands and makes contact with his foot after the ball has taken a quick, short bounce off the ground (figure 6.2). The drop kick is a more accurate way for the keeper to advance the ball up the field than the punt.
Precise drop kicks enable teams to launch quick counterattacks. They are valuable offensive weapons when the keeper quickly and accurately gets the ball to a teammate before the opposition has time to recover and organize their defense.
Sidewinder: Deadly Counterattack
The sidewinder kick is the most difficult of the three techniques but can be the most effective. The sidewinder requires the keeper to perform a side volley to distribute the ball to a teammate. The keeper throws the ball slightly to the side, turns his body to that side, and brings his hips in line with the height of the ball as he strikes it (figure 6.3).
Read more about The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper.
When did Tim Howard know he wanted to be a goalkeeper?
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old.
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old. He made me feel like I was doing something special.
Before that camp, I was a kid on the team with enough skill to score goals while on the field and prevent them when I took my turn in the goal. Then came the camp. Coach Mulqueen took aside the kids who volunteered for keeper training. That in itself was intriguing. We would be doing something unique, something the rest of the campers weren't doing. And Tim was enthusiastic in a way that made us feel like we were on a special mission.
When he trained us, I soon became aware that goalkeeping wasn't just about getting your body in front of the ball to block shots and catch balls. As Tim showed us the fundamental techniques and revealed that making a save required a precisely executed series of movements, the position took on a whole new meaning and became even more enjoyable.
Coach Mulqueen showed us how much skill and thought go into goalkeeping. Because of that, it became a fascinating challenge. I realized that there is an art to goalkeeping, and I was improving dramatically. It's a long road to mastering the position. But I was a better goalkeeper after each session with Coach Mulqueen.
After that first camp, I started going to Coach Mulqueen's weekly goalkeeper sessions and played for his club team. When I was selected to Olympic development program teams, there he was, ready to train the keepers. Amazingly, he would also coach me when I became a pro with Major League Soccer's Metro-Stars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) and on occasions with the U.S. national team.
Coach Mulqueen has coached keepers of all ages, from youngsters to seasoned pros. And it's remarkable how similar his methods are at each level. Of course, at the younger ages, the training isn't as vigorous. His demeanor adjusts accordingly to children, who need more patience and inspiration than pros. He knows when players are physically and mentally prepared to move on to new challenges. But goalkeeper fundamentals are the same for all ages.
Tim was more than a coach to me. He helped me mature both as a player and as a person. He showed me how to respect others and how to earn respect. He even nagged me about my studies. And now that I've spent years playing in the English Premier League, I see how his influence helped me attain that success—and how his approach provides an excellent example for other goalkeeper coaches.
So much about good goalkeeper training is the ability to teach proper technique and to run fun and productive practice sessions. But there's much more to it than setting up drills. Exceptional goalkeeper coaches build confidence, critique effectively, and help players learn how to read the game. That's why this book is more than a series of exercises: It delves into all the aspects of the position and the coach-player relationship.
However crucial good coaching is, the responsibility does ultimately rest on the player. And that's what makes this book so valuable to the future of goalkeepers—it speaks to both the player and the coach.
Tim Howard
U.S. Men's National Team
Everton FC
Stop goals with proper diving technique
These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
No matter where the ball is headed, the proper technique for a diving save will include some basic procedures. These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
The keeper should always start in the proper ready position. The weight is on the balls of the feet, the knees are slightly bent, the upper body is leaning slightly forward, and the hands and head are in place. In this position, the keeper is poised for action.
The shoulders should stay square to the field regardless of which side the ball has been hit to so that the keeper is in position to land on the side. Rotating the shoulders over will result in a “Superman” dive, which covers less of the goal and makes it nearly impossible to catch the ball. The Superman dive sets the keepers up to land on their belly, which increases the risk of rib, collarbone, and wrist injuries.
If the shot is close, the keeper can use a short, quick shuffle step (if needed) to get nearer to the shot before diving. If the shot is headed farther away, the keeper should use a crossover step to get closer to the ball before diving. The goalkeeper should point the near foot—the foot closest to the ball—diagonally at the path of the ball to start the body in a forward motion. The near foot should provide the power to begin traveling to the ball. Depending on the distance, getting to the ball may require short shuffle steps, a crossover step, or a wedge step (a short and quick step in the direction of the ball used for power and explosion). The keeper should push or drive the hips through the shot to help cover the distance and to allow for maximum body mass behind the ball. The keeper must not arch toward or dive over the ball; the upper body should be on a diagonal path straight to the ball and should be relaxed to form a cushion for the ball. The head is held still, and the eyes look through the window created by the arms and hands.
For low saves, once the keeper has traveled the necessary distance to make the save, the keeper begins the fall with a progressive collapsing at the ankle, the side of the calf, the thigh, and the hip. The arms are bent and extended off the body to create a lane for the body to fall on the side. With the palms facing the ball, both hands should move together to the side that the shot is aimed at. This will automatically lower the upper body. Whenever possible, keepers should try to make the save with two hands. If they are forced to use one hand, it should be a stiff hand to push the ball to safety. They must not flick the ball away with the wrist. Especially when balls are hit with pace, flicking the ball increases the chance that the keeper will merely deflect the ball into the goal; a stiff-handed push applies more surface area to the ball and allows greater control. The keeper can use a caught ball as a “third hand” to cushion the fall to the ground.
Getting Down: Saving Low Balls
The most common shot that a goalkeeper faces is the low ball. Keepers need to fall to save the low ball, and the save is best made when the keeper takes a straight line to save the shot. The proper technique for saving a low ball includes these steps:
- Begin to move in the direction of the ball.
- Point the toe of the foot nearest the ball diagonally at the path of the ball (figure 5.1a).
- Turn the palms to the ball, and bring the hands to the shot (figure 5.1b).
- Collapse into the fall, beginning with the feet and moving up the body (figure 5.1c).
- Get behind the ball.
- Make the save off the body and quickly wrap both arms around the ball (figure 5.1d).
Dealing with the back pass: Exercises for goalkeepers
The following exercises will help keepers master the ability to deal with the back pass.
Back Pass With Both Feet
Setup
Place two cones about 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass at her right foot from server 1 and returns a first-touch pass. Server 2 strikes a pass to the keeper's left foot, and the keeper returns the pass on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have servers deliver balls at a faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball. If only one server is available, have the server deliver passes to each side of the keeper from a position directly across from the keeper.
Back Pass With Movement
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands across from and 5 to 10 yards away from each cone. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper shuffles over to cone 1 (to his right) and receives a pass from server 1. The keeper returns the ball on the first touch . The keeper then shuffles over to cone 2, receives a pass from server 2, and returns it on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 12 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the servers strike the balls for faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball.
Continuous First-Touch Back Pass
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Server 1 begins with a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass from server 1. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 2. Server 2 plays the ball back to the keeper. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 1.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play two-touch balls back to the servers.
Changing the Point of Attack
This exercise develops the keeper's ability to play a ball out of the back for possession to an outside back or wide midfielder. The keeper receives the ball from one side of the field and plays it out to the other side. This is called changing the point of attack (CPA).
Setup
Server 1 is at the top of the D with a supply of balls. Servers 2 and 3 set up on the opposite side of the field as a back and an outside midfielder. The keeper sets up near the edge of the goal area in front of the server.
Procedure
Server 1 plays a ball into the feet of the goalkeeper. The keeper takes a touch and hits a driven ball out to server 2. Server 1 plays another ball to the keeper, who takes a touch and sends it to server 3.
Repetitions
After sending eight balls to the keeper, the servers move to the opposite side of the field and send another eight balls.
Variations
Add additional players (or cones set up as targets). The goalkeeper drives balls to various targets.
Everton Back Pass
This exercise incorporates a shot into back-pass training.
Setup
The goalkeeper sets up off the right post. Use cones or markers, if desired, to set off an area from which the keeper receives and sends balls. Server 1 stands in front of the keeper, about 12 yards away. Server 2 sets up in the penalty arc.
Procedure
Server 1 rolls a pass to the goalkeeper. The keeper receives the ball and takes two touches to play the ball to server 2; the keeper then moves across the goal area to align with server 2. Server 2 controls the ball and shoots on goal. The keeper makes the save and returns the ball to server 1.
Repetitions
After four to six shots on goal, server 1 and the keeper set up on the other side of the goal, and the sequence is repeated for another four to six shots.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play the ball on the first touch to server 2. Have server 2 hit first-touch shots.
Understanding the goalkeeper as an orchestrator
Because they can start with the ball in their hands, goalkeepers have more options than field players do for how they can relay the ball to teammates.
Punt: Height and Distance
Punting involves striking the ball in the air after dropping it from the hands (figure 6.1). This type of kick enables the keeper to send the ball a long distance upfield and with height.
Keepers should swing through the ball and land on their performing (kicking) foot. The punt is not as accurate as the drop kick or sidewinder. In fact, the punt often results in a 50-50 ball. A punt may even give an edge to the opponent's players because they are facing the ball and can run into it, sending it back the way it came.
The punt is used when a keeper wants to buy time for his team and gain some territory, especially if his team has been under pressure. Keepers also use this technique if the surface that they are playing on does not allow for a safe drop kick.
Drop Kick: Speed and Accuracy
The drop kick is a half-volley strike. The keeper drops the ball from his hands and makes contact with his foot after the ball has taken a quick, short bounce off the ground (figure 6.2). The drop kick is a more accurate way for the keeper to advance the ball up the field than the punt.
Precise drop kicks enable teams to launch quick counterattacks. They are valuable offensive weapons when the keeper quickly and accurately gets the ball to a teammate before the opposition has time to recover and organize their defense.
Sidewinder: Deadly Counterattack
The sidewinder kick is the most difficult of the three techniques but can be the most effective. The sidewinder requires the keeper to perform a side volley to distribute the ball to a teammate. The keeper throws the ball slightly to the side, turns his body to that side, and brings his hips in line with the height of the ball as he strikes it (figure 6.3).
Read more about The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper.
When did Tim Howard know he wanted to be a goalkeeper?
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old.
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old. He made me feel like I was doing something special.
Before that camp, I was a kid on the team with enough skill to score goals while on the field and prevent them when I took my turn in the goal. Then came the camp. Coach Mulqueen took aside the kids who volunteered for keeper training. That in itself was intriguing. We would be doing something unique, something the rest of the campers weren't doing. And Tim was enthusiastic in a way that made us feel like we were on a special mission.
When he trained us, I soon became aware that goalkeeping wasn't just about getting your body in front of the ball to block shots and catch balls. As Tim showed us the fundamental techniques and revealed that making a save required a precisely executed series of movements, the position took on a whole new meaning and became even more enjoyable.
Coach Mulqueen showed us how much skill and thought go into goalkeeping. Because of that, it became a fascinating challenge. I realized that there is an art to goalkeeping, and I was improving dramatically. It's a long road to mastering the position. But I was a better goalkeeper after each session with Coach Mulqueen.
After that first camp, I started going to Coach Mulqueen's weekly goalkeeper sessions and played for his club team. When I was selected to Olympic development program teams, there he was, ready to train the keepers. Amazingly, he would also coach me when I became a pro with Major League Soccer's Metro-Stars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) and on occasions with the U.S. national team.
Coach Mulqueen has coached keepers of all ages, from youngsters to seasoned pros. And it's remarkable how similar his methods are at each level. Of course, at the younger ages, the training isn't as vigorous. His demeanor adjusts accordingly to children, who need more patience and inspiration than pros. He knows when players are physically and mentally prepared to move on to new challenges. But goalkeeper fundamentals are the same for all ages.
Tim was more than a coach to me. He helped me mature both as a player and as a person. He showed me how to respect others and how to earn respect. He even nagged me about my studies. And now that I've spent years playing in the English Premier League, I see how his influence helped me attain that success—and how his approach provides an excellent example for other goalkeeper coaches.
So much about good goalkeeper training is the ability to teach proper technique and to run fun and productive practice sessions. But there's much more to it than setting up drills. Exceptional goalkeeper coaches build confidence, critique effectively, and help players learn how to read the game. That's why this book is more than a series of exercises: It delves into all the aspects of the position and the coach-player relationship.
However crucial good coaching is, the responsibility does ultimately rest on the player. And that's what makes this book so valuable to the future of goalkeepers—it speaks to both the player and the coach.
Tim Howard
U.S. Men's National Team
Everton FC
Stop goals with proper diving technique
These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
No matter where the ball is headed, the proper technique for a diving save will include some basic procedures. These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
The keeper should always start in the proper ready position. The weight is on the balls of the feet, the knees are slightly bent, the upper body is leaning slightly forward, and the hands and head are in place. In this position, the keeper is poised for action.
The shoulders should stay square to the field regardless of which side the ball has been hit to so that the keeper is in position to land on the side. Rotating the shoulders over will result in a “Superman” dive, which covers less of the goal and makes it nearly impossible to catch the ball. The Superman dive sets the keepers up to land on their belly, which increases the risk of rib, collarbone, and wrist injuries.
If the shot is close, the keeper can use a short, quick shuffle step (if needed) to get nearer to the shot before diving. If the shot is headed farther away, the keeper should use a crossover step to get closer to the ball before diving. The goalkeeper should point the near foot—the foot closest to the ball—diagonally at the path of the ball to start the body in a forward motion. The near foot should provide the power to begin traveling to the ball. Depending on the distance, getting to the ball may require short shuffle steps, a crossover step, or a wedge step (a short and quick step in the direction of the ball used for power and explosion). The keeper should push or drive the hips through the shot to help cover the distance and to allow for maximum body mass behind the ball. The keeper must not arch toward or dive over the ball; the upper body should be on a diagonal path straight to the ball and should be relaxed to form a cushion for the ball. The head is held still, and the eyes look through the window created by the arms and hands.
For low saves, once the keeper has traveled the necessary distance to make the save, the keeper begins the fall with a progressive collapsing at the ankle, the side of the calf, the thigh, and the hip. The arms are bent and extended off the body to create a lane for the body to fall on the side. With the palms facing the ball, both hands should move together to the side that the shot is aimed at. This will automatically lower the upper body. Whenever possible, keepers should try to make the save with two hands. If they are forced to use one hand, it should be a stiff hand to push the ball to safety. They must not flick the ball away with the wrist. Especially when balls are hit with pace, flicking the ball increases the chance that the keeper will merely deflect the ball into the goal; a stiff-handed push applies more surface area to the ball and allows greater control. The keeper can use a caught ball as a “third hand” to cushion the fall to the ground.
Getting Down: Saving Low Balls
The most common shot that a goalkeeper faces is the low ball. Keepers need to fall to save the low ball, and the save is best made when the keeper takes a straight line to save the shot. The proper technique for saving a low ball includes these steps:
- Begin to move in the direction of the ball.
- Point the toe of the foot nearest the ball diagonally at the path of the ball (figure 5.1a).
- Turn the palms to the ball, and bring the hands to the shot (figure 5.1b).
- Collapse into the fall, beginning with the feet and moving up the body (figure 5.1c).
- Get behind the ball.
- Make the save off the body and quickly wrap both arms around the ball (figure 5.1d).
Dealing with the back pass: Exercises for goalkeepers
The following exercises will help keepers master the ability to deal with the back pass.
Back Pass With Both Feet
Setup
Place two cones about 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass at her right foot from server 1 and returns a first-touch pass. Server 2 strikes a pass to the keeper's left foot, and the keeper returns the pass on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have servers deliver balls at a faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball. If only one server is available, have the server deliver passes to each side of the keeper from a position directly across from the keeper.
Back Pass With Movement
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands across from and 5 to 10 yards away from each cone. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper shuffles over to cone 1 (to his right) and receives a pass from server 1. The keeper returns the ball on the first touch . The keeper then shuffles over to cone 2, receives a pass from server 2, and returns it on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 12 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the servers strike the balls for faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball.
Continuous First-Touch Back Pass
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Server 1 begins with a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass from server 1. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 2. Server 2 plays the ball back to the keeper. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 1.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play two-touch balls back to the servers.
Changing the Point of Attack
This exercise develops the keeper's ability to play a ball out of the back for possession to an outside back or wide midfielder. The keeper receives the ball from one side of the field and plays it out to the other side. This is called changing the point of attack (CPA).
Setup
Server 1 is at the top of the D with a supply of balls. Servers 2 and 3 set up on the opposite side of the field as a back and an outside midfielder. The keeper sets up near the edge of the goal area in front of the server.
Procedure
Server 1 plays a ball into the feet of the goalkeeper. The keeper takes a touch and hits a driven ball out to server 2. Server 1 plays another ball to the keeper, who takes a touch and sends it to server 3.
Repetitions
After sending eight balls to the keeper, the servers move to the opposite side of the field and send another eight balls.
Variations
Add additional players (or cones set up as targets). The goalkeeper drives balls to various targets.
Everton Back Pass
This exercise incorporates a shot into back-pass training.
Setup
The goalkeeper sets up off the right post. Use cones or markers, if desired, to set off an area from which the keeper receives and sends balls. Server 1 stands in front of the keeper, about 12 yards away. Server 2 sets up in the penalty arc.
Procedure
Server 1 rolls a pass to the goalkeeper. The keeper receives the ball and takes two touches to play the ball to server 2; the keeper then moves across the goal area to align with server 2. Server 2 controls the ball and shoots on goal. The keeper makes the save and returns the ball to server 1.
Repetitions
After four to six shots on goal, server 1 and the keeper set up on the other side of the goal, and the sequence is repeated for another four to six shots.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play the ball on the first touch to server 2. Have server 2 hit first-touch shots.
Understanding the goalkeeper as an orchestrator
Because they can start with the ball in their hands, goalkeepers have more options than field players do for how they can relay the ball to teammates.
Punt: Height and Distance
Punting involves striking the ball in the air after dropping it from the hands (figure 6.1). This type of kick enables the keeper to send the ball a long distance upfield and with height.
Keepers should swing through the ball and land on their performing (kicking) foot. The punt is not as accurate as the drop kick or sidewinder. In fact, the punt often results in a 50-50 ball. A punt may even give an edge to the opponent's players because they are facing the ball and can run into it, sending it back the way it came.
The punt is used when a keeper wants to buy time for his team and gain some territory, especially if his team has been under pressure. Keepers also use this technique if the surface that they are playing on does not allow for a safe drop kick.
Drop Kick: Speed and Accuracy
The drop kick is a half-volley strike. The keeper drops the ball from his hands and makes contact with his foot after the ball has taken a quick, short bounce off the ground (figure 6.2). The drop kick is a more accurate way for the keeper to advance the ball up the field than the punt.
Precise drop kicks enable teams to launch quick counterattacks. They are valuable offensive weapons when the keeper quickly and accurately gets the ball to a teammate before the opposition has time to recover and organize their defense.
Sidewinder: Deadly Counterattack
The sidewinder kick is the most difficult of the three techniques but can be the most effective. The sidewinder requires the keeper to perform a side volley to distribute the ball to a teammate. The keeper throws the ball slightly to the side, turns his body to that side, and brings his hips in line with the height of the ball as he strikes it (figure 6.3).
Read more about The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper.
When did Tim Howard know he wanted to be a goalkeeper?
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old.
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old. He made me feel like I was doing something special.
Before that camp, I was a kid on the team with enough skill to score goals while on the field and prevent them when I took my turn in the goal. Then came the camp. Coach Mulqueen took aside the kids who volunteered for keeper training. That in itself was intriguing. We would be doing something unique, something the rest of the campers weren't doing. And Tim was enthusiastic in a way that made us feel like we were on a special mission.
When he trained us, I soon became aware that goalkeeping wasn't just about getting your body in front of the ball to block shots and catch balls. As Tim showed us the fundamental techniques and revealed that making a save required a precisely executed series of movements, the position took on a whole new meaning and became even more enjoyable.
Coach Mulqueen showed us how much skill and thought go into goalkeeping. Because of that, it became a fascinating challenge. I realized that there is an art to goalkeeping, and I was improving dramatically. It's a long road to mastering the position. But I was a better goalkeeper after each session with Coach Mulqueen.
After that first camp, I started going to Coach Mulqueen's weekly goalkeeper sessions and played for his club team. When I was selected to Olympic development program teams, there he was, ready to train the keepers. Amazingly, he would also coach me when I became a pro with Major League Soccer's Metro-Stars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) and on occasions with the U.S. national team.
Coach Mulqueen has coached keepers of all ages, from youngsters to seasoned pros. And it's remarkable how similar his methods are at each level. Of course, at the younger ages, the training isn't as vigorous. His demeanor adjusts accordingly to children, who need more patience and inspiration than pros. He knows when players are physically and mentally prepared to move on to new challenges. But goalkeeper fundamentals are the same for all ages.
Tim was more than a coach to me. He helped me mature both as a player and as a person. He showed me how to respect others and how to earn respect. He even nagged me about my studies. And now that I've spent years playing in the English Premier League, I see how his influence helped me attain that success—and how his approach provides an excellent example for other goalkeeper coaches.
So much about good goalkeeper training is the ability to teach proper technique and to run fun and productive practice sessions. But there's much more to it than setting up drills. Exceptional goalkeeper coaches build confidence, critique effectively, and help players learn how to read the game. That's why this book is more than a series of exercises: It delves into all the aspects of the position and the coach-player relationship.
However crucial good coaching is, the responsibility does ultimately rest on the player. And that's what makes this book so valuable to the future of goalkeepers—it speaks to both the player and the coach.
Tim Howard
U.S. Men's National Team
Everton FC
Stop goals with proper diving technique
These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
No matter where the ball is headed, the proper technique for a diving save will include some basic procedures. These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
The keeper should always start in the proper ready position. The weight is on the balls of the feet, the knees are slightly bent, the upper body is leaning slightly forward, and the hands and head are in place. In this position, the keeper is poised for action.
The shoulders should stay square to the field regardless of which side the ball has been hit to so that the keeper is in position to land on the side. Rotating the shoulders over will result in a “Superman” dive, which covers less of the goal and makes it nearly impossible to catch the ball. The Superman dive sets the keepers up to land on their belly, which increases the risk of rib, collarbone, and wrist injuries.
If the shot is close, the keeper can use a short, quick shuffle step (if needed) to get nearer to the shot before diving. If the shot is headed farther away, the keeper should use a crossover step to get closer to the ball before diving. The goalkeeper should point the near foot—the foot closest to the ball—diagonally at the path of the ball to start the body in a forward motion. The near foot should provide the power to begin traveling to the ball. Depending on the distance, getting to the ball may require short shuffle steps, a crossover step, or a wedge step (a short and quick step in the direction of the ball used for power and explosion). The keeper should push or drive the hips through the shot to help cover the distance and to allow for maximum body mass behind the ball. The keeper must not arch toward or dive over the ball; the upper body should be on a diagonal path straight to the ball and should be relaxed to form a cushion for the ball. The head is held still, and the eyes look through the window created by the arms and hands.
For low saves, once the keeper has traveled the necessary distance to make the save, the keeper begins the fall with a progressive collapsing at the ankle, the side of the calf, the thigh, and the hip. The arms are bent and extended off the body to create a lane for the body to fall on the side. With the palms facing the ball, both hands should move together to the side that the shot is aimed at. This will automatically lower the upper body. Whenever possible, keepers should try to make the save with two hands. If they are forced to use one hand, it should be a stiff hand to push the ball to safety. They must not flick the ball away with the wrist. Especially when balls are hit with pace, flicking the ball increases the chance that the keeper will merely deflect the ball into the goal; a stiff-handed push applies more surface area to the ball and allows greater control. The keeper can use a caught ball as a “third hand” to cushion the fall to the ground.
Getting Down: Saving Low Balls
The most common shot that a goalkeeper faces is the low ball. Keepers need to fall to save the low ball, and the save is best made when the keeper takes a straight line to save the shot. The proper technique for saving a low ball includes these steps:
- Begin to move in the direction of the ball.
- Point the toe of the foot nearest the ball diagonally at the path of the ball (figure 5.1a).
- Turn the palms to the ball, and bring the hands to the shot (figure 5.1b).
- Collapse into the fall, beginning with the feet and moving up the body (figure 5.1c).
- Get behind the ball.
- Make the save off the body and quickly wrap both arms around the ball (figure 5.1d).
Dealing with the back pass: Exercises for goalkeepers
The following exercises will help keepers master the ability to deal with the back pass.
Back Pass With Both Feet
Setup
Place two cones about 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass at her right foot from server 1 and returns a first-touch pass. Server 2 strikes a pass to the keeper's left foot, and the keeper returns the pass on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have servers deliver balls at a faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball. If only one server is available, have the server deliver passes to each side of the keeper from a position directly across from the keeper.
Back Pass With Movement
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands across from and 5 to 10 yards away from each cone. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper shuffles over to cone 1 (to his right) and receives a pass from server 1. The keeper returns the ball on the first touch . The keeper then shuffles over to cone 2, receives a pass from server 2, and returns it on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 12 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the servers strike the balls for faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball.
Continuous First-Touch Back Pass
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Server 1 begins with a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass from server 1. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 2. Server 2 plays the ball back to the keeper. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 1.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play two-touch balls back to the servers.
Changing the Point of Attack
This exercise develops the keeper's ability to play a ball out of the back for possession to an outside back or wide midfielder. The keeper receives the ball from one side of the field and plays it out to the other side. This is called changing the point of attack (CPA).
Setup
Server 1 is at the top of the D with a supply of balls. Servers 2 and 3 set up on the opposite side of the field as a back and an outside midfielder. The keeper sets up near the edge of the goal area in front of the server.
Procedure
Server 1 plays a ball into the feet of the goalkeeper. The keeper takes a touch and hits a driven ball out to server 2. Server 1 plays another ball to the keeper, who takes a touch and sends it to server 3.
Repetitions
After sending eight balls to the keeper, the servers move to the opposite side of the field and send another eight balls.
Variations
Add additional players (or cones set up as targets). The goalkeeper drives balls to various targets.
Everton Back Pass
This exercise incorporates a shot into back-pass training.
Setup
The goalkeeper sets up off the right post. Use cones or markers, if desired, to set off an area from which the keeper receives and sends balls. Server 1 stands in front of the keeper, about 12 yards away. Server 2 sets up in the penalty arc.
Procedure
Server 1 rolls a pass to the goalkeeper. The keeper receives the ball and takes two touches to play the ball to server 2; the keeper then moves across the goal area to align with server 2. Server 2 controls the ball and shoots on goal. The keeper makes the save and returns the ball to server 1.
Repetitions
After four to six shots on goal, server 1 and the keeper set up on the other side of the goal, and the sequence is repeated for another four to six shots.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play the ball on the first touch to server 2. Have server 2 hit first-touch shots.
Understanding the goalkeeper as an orchestrator
Because they can start with the ball in their hands, goalkeepers have more options than field players do for how they can relay the ball to teammates.
Punt: Height and Distance
Punting involves striking the ball in the air after dropping it from the hands (figure 6.1). This type of kick enables the keeper to send the ball a long distance upfield and with height.
Keepers should swing through the ball and land on their performing (kicking) foot. The punt is not as accurate as the drop kick or sidewinder. In fact, the punt often results in a 50-50 ball. A punt may even give an edge to the opponent's players because they are facing the ball and can run into it, sending it back the way it came.
The punt is used when a keeper wants to buy time for his team and gain some territory, especially if his team has been under pressure. Keepers also use this technique if the surface that they are playing on does not allow for a safe drop kick.
Drop Kick: Speed and Accuracy
The drop kick is a half-volley strike. The keeper drops the ball from his hands and makes contact with his foot after the ball has taken a quick, short bounce off the ground (figure 6.2). The drop kick is a more accurate way for the keeper to advance the ball up the field than the punt.
Precise drop kicks enable teams to launch quick counterattacks. They are valuable offensive weapons when the keeper quickly and accurately gets the ball to a teammate before the opposition has time to recover and organize their defense.
Sidewinder: Deadly Counterattack
The sidewinder kick is the most difficult of the three techniques but can be the most effective. The sidewinder requires the keeper to perform a side volley to distribute the ball to a teammate. The keeper throws the ball slightly to the side, turns his body to that side, and brings his hips in line with the height of the ball as he strikes it (figure 6.3).
Read more about The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper.
When did Tim Howard know he wanted to be a goalkeeper?
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old.
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old. He made me feel like I was doing something special.
Before that camp, I was a kid on the team with enough skill to score goals while on the field and prevent them when I took my turn in the goal. Then came the camp. Coach Mulqueen took aside the kids who volunteered for keeper training. That in itself was intriguing. We would be doing something unique, something the rest of the campers weren't doing. And Tim was enthusiastic in a way that made us feel like we were on a special mission.
When he trained us, I soon became aware that goalkeeping wasn't just about getting your body in front of the ball to block shots and catch balls. As Tim showed us the fundamental techniques and revealed that making a save required a precisely executed series of movements, the position took on a whole new meaning and became even more enjoyable.
Coach Mulqueen showed us how much skill and thought go into goalkeeping. Because of that, it became a fascinating challenge. I realized that there is an art to goalkeeping, and I was improving dramatically. It's a long road to mastering the position. But I was a better goalkeeper after each session with Coach Mulqueen.
After that first camp, I started going to Coach Mulqueen's weekly goalkeeper sessions and played for his club team. When I was selected to Olympic development program teams, there he was, ready to train the keepers. Amazingly, he would also coach me when I became a pro with Major League Soccer's Metro-Stars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) and on occasions with the U.S. national team.
Coach Mulqueen has coached keepers of all ages, from youngsters to seasoned pros. And it's remarkable how similar his methods are at each level. Of course, at the younger ages, the training isn't as vigorous. His demeanor adjusts accordingly to children, who need more patience and inspiration than pros. He knows when players are physically and mentally prepared to move on to new challenges. But goalkeeper fundamentals are the same for all ages.
Tim was more than a coach to me. He helped me mature both as a player and as a person. He showed me how to respect others and how to earn respect. He even nagged me about my studies. And now that I've spent years playing in the English Premier League, I see how his influence helped me attain that success—and how his approach provides an excellent example for other goalkeeper coaches.
So much about good goalkeeper training is the ability to teach proper technique and to run fun and productive practice sessions. But there's much more to it than setting up drills. Exceptional goalkeeper coaches build confidence, critique effectively, and help players learn how to read the game. That's why this book is more than a series of exercises: It delves into all the aspects of the position and the coach-player relationship.
However crucial good coaching is, the responsibility does ultimately rest on the player. And that's what makes this book so valuable to the future of goalkeepers—it speaks to both the player and the coach.
Tim Howard
U.S. Men's National Team
Everton FC
Stop goals with proper diving technique
These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
No matter where the ball is headed, the proper technique for a diving save will include some basic procedures. These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
The keeper should always start in the proper ready position. The weight is on the balls of the feet, the knees are slightly bent, the upper body is leaning slightly forward, and the hands and head are in place. In this position, the keeper is poised for action.
The shoulders should stay square to the field regardless of which side the ball has been hit to so that the keeper is in position to land on the side. Rotating the shoulders over will result in a “Superman” dive, which covers less of the goal and makes it nearly impossible to catch the ball. The Superman dive sets the keepers up to land on their belly, which increases the risk of rib, collarbone, and wrist injuries.
If the shot is close, the keeper can use a short, quick shuffle step (if needed) to get nearer to the shot before diving. If the shot is headed farther away, the keeper should use a crossover step to get closer to the ball before diving. The goalkeeper should point the near foot—the foot closest to the ball—diagonally at the path of the ball to start the body in a forward motion. The near foot should provide the power to begin traveling to the ball. Depending on the distance, getting to the ball may require short shuffle steps, a crossover step, or a wedge step (a short and quick step in the direction of the ball used for power and explosion). The keeper should push or drive the hips through the shot to help cover the distance and to allow for maximum body mass behind the ball. The keeper must not arch toward or dive over the ball; the upper body should be on a diagonal path straight to the ball and should be relaxed to form a cushion for the ball. The head is held still, and the eyes look through the window created by the arms and hands.
For low saves, once the keeper has traveled the necessary distance to make the save, the keeper begins the fall with a progressive collapsing at the ankle, the side of the calf, the thigh, and the hip. The arms are bent and extended off the body to create a lane for the body to fall on the side. With the palms facing the ball, both hands should move together to the side that the shot is aimed at. This will automatically lower the upper body. Whenever possible, keepers should try to make the save with two hands. If they are forced to use one hand, it should be a stiff hand to push the ball to safety. They must not flick the ball away with the wrist. Especially when balls are hit with pace, flicking the ball increases the chance that the keeper will merely deflect the ball into the goal; a stiff-handed push applies more surface area to the ball and allows greater control. The keeper can use a caught ball as a “third hand” to cushion the fall to the ground.
Getting Down: Saving Low Balls
The most common shot that a goalkeeper faces is the low ball. Keepers need to fall to save the low ball, and the save is best made when the keeper takes a straight line to save the shot. The proper technique for saving a low ball includes these steps:
- Begin to move in the direction of the ball.
- Point the toe of the foot nearest the ball diagonally at the path of the ball (figure 5.1a).
- Turn the palms to the ball, and bring the hands to the shot (figure 5.1b).
- Collapse into the fall, beginning with the feet and moving up the body (figure 5.1c).
- Get behind the ball.
- Make the save off the body and quickly wrap both arms around the ball (figure 5.1d).
Dealing with the back pass: Exercises for goalkeepers
The following exercises will help keepers master the ability to deal with the back pass.
Back Pass With Both Feet
Setup
Place two cones about 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass at her right foot from server 1 and returns a first-touch pass. Server 2 strikes a pass to the keeper's left foot, and the keeper returns the pass on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have servers deliver balls at a faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball. If only one server is available, have the server deliver passes to each side of the keeper from a position directly across from the keeper.
Back Pass With Movement
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands across from and 5 to 10 yards away from each cone. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper shuffles over to cone 1 (to his right) and receives a pass from server 1. The keeper returns the ball on the first touch . The keeper then shuffles over to cone 2, receives a pass from server 2, and returns it on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 12 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the servers strike the balls for faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball.
Continuous First-Touch Back Pass
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Server 1 begins with a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass from server 1. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 2. Server 2 plays the ball back to the keeper. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 1.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play two-touch balls back to the servers.
Changing the Point of Attack
This exercise develops the keeper's ability to play a ball out of the back for possession to an outside back or wide midfielder. The keeper receives the ball from one side of the field and plays it out to the other side. This is called changing the point of attack (CPA).
Setup
Server 1 is at the top of the D with a supply of balls. Servers 2 and 3 set up on the opposite side of the field as a back and an outside midfielder. The keeper sets up near the edge of the goal area in front of the server.
Procedure
Server 1 plays a ball into the feet of the goalkeeper. The keeper takes a touch and hits a driven ball out to server 2. Server 1 plays another ball to the keeper, who takes a touch and sends it to server 3.
Repetitions
After sending eight balls to the keeper, the servers move to the opposite side of the field and send another eight balls.
Variations
Add additional players (or cones set up as targets). The goalkeeper drives balls to various targets.
Everton Back Pass
This exercise incorporates a shot into back-pass training.
Setup
The goalkeeper sets up off the right post. Use cones or markers, if desired, to set off an area from which the keeper receives and sends balls. Server 1 stands in front of the keeper, about 12 yards away. Server 2 sets up in the penalty arc.
Procedure
Server 1 rolls a pass to the goalkeeper. The keeper receives the ball and takes two touches to play the ball to server 2; the keeper then moves across the goal area to align with server 2. Server 2 controls the ball and shoots on goal. The keeper makes the save and returns the ball to server 1.
Repetitions
After four to six shots on goal, server 1 and the keeper set up on the other side of the goal, and the sequence is repeated for another four to six shots.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play the ball on the first touch to server 2. Have server 2 hit first-touch shots.
Understanding the goalkeeper as an orchestrator
Because they can start with the ball in their hands, goalkeepers have more options than field players do for how they can relay the ball to teammates.
Punt: Height and Distance
Punting involves striking the ball in the air after dropping it from the hands (figure 6.1). This type of kick enables the keeper to send the ball a long distance upfield and with height.
Keepers should swing through the ball and land on their performing (kicking) foot. The punt is not as accurate as the drop kick or sidewinder. In fact, the punt often results in a 50-50 ball. A punt may even give an edge to the opponent's players because they are facing the ball and can run into it, sending it back the way it came.
The punt is used when a keeper wants to buy time for his team and gain some territory, especially if his team has been under pressure. Keepers also use this technique if the surface that they are playing on does not allow for a safe drop kick.
Drop Kick: Speed and Accuracy
The drop kick is a half-volley strike. The keeper drops the ball from his hands and makes contact with his foot after the ball has taken a quick, short bounce off the ground (figure 6.2). The drop kick is a more accurate way for the keeper to advance the ball up the field than the punt.
Precise drop kicks enable teams to launch quick counterattacks. They are valuable offensive weapons when the keeper quickly and accurately gets the ball to a teammate before the opposition has time to recover and organize their defense.
Sidewinder: Deadly Counterattack
The sidewinder kick is the most difficult of the three techniques but can be the most effective. The sidewinder requires the keeper to perform a side volley to distribute the ball to a teammate. The keeper throws the ball slightly to the side, turns his body to that side, and brings his hips in line with the height of the ball as he strikes it (figure 6.3).
Read more about The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper.
When did Tim Howard know he wanted to be a goalkeeper?
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old.
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old. He made me feel like I was doing something special.
Before that camp, I was a kid on the team with enough skill to score goals while on the field and prevent them when I took my turn in the goal. Then came the camp. Coach Mulqueen took aside the kids who volunteered for keeper training. That in itself was intriguing. We would be doing something unique, something the rest of the campers weren't doing. And Tim was enthusiastic in a way that made us feel like we were on a special mission.
When he trained us, I soon became aware that goalkeeping wasn't just about getting your body in front of the ball to block shots and catch balls. As Tim showed us the fundamental techniques and revealed that making a save required a precisely executed series of movements, the position took on a whole new meaning and became even more enjoyable.
Coach Mulqueen showed us how much skill and thought go into goalkeeping. Because of that, it became a fascinating challenge. I realized that there is an art to goalkeeping, and I was improving dramatically. It's a long road to mastering the position. But I was a better goalkeeper after each session with Coach Mulqueen.
After that first camp, I started going to Coach Mulqueen's weekly goalkeeper sessions and played for his club team. When I was selected to Olympic development program teams, there he was, ready to train the keepers. Amazingly, he would also coach me when I became a pro with Major League Soccer's Metro-Stars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) and on occasions with the U.S. national team.
Coach Mulqueen has coached keepers of all ages, from youngsters to seasoned pros. And it's remarkable how similar his methods are at each level. Of course, at the younger ages, the training isn't as vigorous. His demeanor adjusts accordingly to children, who need more patience and inspiration than pros. He knows when players are physically and mentally prepared to move on to new challenges. But goalkeeper fundamentals are the same for all ages.
Tim was more than a coach to me. He helped me mature both as a player and as a person. He showed me how to respect others and how to earn respect. He even nagged me about my studies. And now that I've spent years playing in the English Premier League, I see how his influence helped me attain that success—and how his approach provides an excellent example for other goalkeeper coaches.
So much about good goalkeeper training is the ability to teach proper technique and to run fun and productive practice sessions. But there's much more to it than setting up drills. Exceptional goalkeeper coaches build confidence, critique effectively, and help players learn how to read the game. That's why this book is more than a series of exercises: It delves into all the aspects of the position and the coach-player relationship.
However crucial good coaching is, the responsibility does ultimately rest on the player. And that's what makes this book so valuable to the future of goalkeepers—it speaks to both the player and the coach.
Tim Howard
U.S. Men's National Team
Everton FC
Stop goals with proper diving technique
These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
No matter where the ball is headed, the proper technique for a diving save will include some basic procedures. These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
The keeper should always start in the proper ready position. The weight is on the balls of the feet, the knees are slightly bent, the upper body is leaning slightly forward, and the hands and head are in place. In this position, the keeper is poised for action.
The shoulders should stay square to the field regardless of which side the ball has been hit to so that the keeper is in position to land on the side. Rotating the shoulders over will result in a “Superman” dive, which covers less of the goal and makes it nearly impossible to catch the ball. The Superman dive sets the keepers up to land on their belly, which increases the risk of rib, collarbone, and wrist injuries.
If the shot is close, the keeper can use a short, quick shuffle step (if needed) to get nearer to the shot before diving. If the shot is headed farther away, the keeper should use a crossover step to get closer to the ball before diving. The goalkeeper should point the near foot—the foot closest to the ball—diagonally at the path of the ball to start the body in a forward motion. The near foot should provide the power to begin traveling to the ball. Depending on the distance, getting to the ball may require short shuffle steps, a crossover step, or a wedge step (a short and quick step in the direction of the ball used for power and explosion). The keeper should push or drive the hips through the shot to help cover the distance and to allow for maximum body mass behind the ball. The keeper must not arch toward or dive over the ball; the upper body should be on a diagonal path straight to the ball and should be relaxed to form a cushion for the ball. The head is held still, and the eyes look through the window created by the arms and hands.
For low saves, once the keeper has traveled the necessary distance to make the save, the keeper begins the fall with a progressive collapsing at the ankle, the side of the calf, the thigh, and the hip. The arms are bent and extended off the body to create a lane for the body to fall on the side. With the palms facing the ball, both hands should move together to the side that the shot is aimed at. This will automatically lower the upper body. Whenever possible, keepers should try to make the save with two hands. If they are forced to use one hand, it should be a stiff hand to push the ball to safety. They must not flick the ball away with the wrist. Especially when balls are hit with pace, flicking the ball increases the chance that the keeper will merely deflect the ball into the goal; a stiff-handed push applies more surface area to the ball and allows greater control. The keeper can use a caught ball as a “third hand” to cushion the fall to the ground.
Getting Down: Saving Low Balls
The most common shot that a goalkeeper faces is the low ball. Keepers need to fall to save the low ball, and the save is best made when the keeper takes a straight line to save the shot. The proper technique for saving a low ball includes these steps:
- Begin to move in the direction of the ball.
- Point the toe of the foot nearest the ball diagonally at the path of the ball (figure 5.1a).
- Turn the palms to the ball, and bring the hands to the shot (figure 5.1b).
- Collapse into the fall, beginning with the feet and moving up the body (figure 5.1c).
- Get behind the ball.
- Make the save off the body and quickly wrap both arms around the ball (figure 5.1d).
Dealing with the back pass: Exercises for goalkeepers
The following exercises will help keepers master the ability to deal with the back pass.
Back Pass With Both Feet
Setup
Place two cones about 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass at her right foot from server 1 and returns a first-touch pass. Server 2 strikes a pass to the keeper's left foot, and the keeper returns the pass on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have servers deliver balls at a faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball. If only one server is available, have the server deliver passes to each side of the keeper from a position directly across from the keeper.
Back Pass With Movement
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands across from and 5 to 10 yards away from each cone. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper shuffles over to cone 1 (to his right) and receives a pass from server 1. The keeper returns the ball on the first touch . The keeper then shuffles over to cone 2, receives a pass from server 2, and returns it on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 12 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the servers strike the balls for faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball.
Continuous First-Touch Back Pass
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Server 1 begins with a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass from server 1. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 2. Server 2 plays the ball back to the keeper. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 1.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play two-touch balls back to the servers.
Changing the Point of Attack
This exercise develops the keeper's ability to play a ball out of the back for possession to an outside back or wide midfielder. The keeper receives the ball from one side of the field and plays it out to the other side. This is called changing the point of attack (CPA).
Setup
Server 1 is at the top of the D with a supply of balls. Servers 2 and 3 set up on the opposite side of the field as a back and an outside midfielder. The keeper sets up near the edge of the goal area in front of the server.
Procedure
Server 1 plays a ball into the feet of the goalkeeper. The keeper takes a touch and hits a driven ball out to server 2. Server 1 plays another ball to the keeper, who takes a touch and sends it to server 3.
Repetitions
After sending eight balls to the keeper, the servers move to the opposite side of the field and send another eight balls.
Variations
Add additional players (or cones set up as targets). The goalkeeper drives balls to various targets.
Everton Back Pass
This exercise incorporates a shot into back-pass training.
Setup
The goalkeeper sets up off the right post. Use cones or markers, if desired, to set off an area from which the keeper receives and sends balls. Server 1 stands in front of the keeper, about 12 yards away. Server 2 sets up in the penalty arc.
Procedure
Server 1 rolls a pass to the goalkeeper. The keeper receives the ball and takes two touches to play the ball to server 2; the keeper then moves across the goal area to align with server 2. Server 2 controls the ball and shoots on goal. The keeper makes the save and returns the ball to server 1.
Repetitions
After four to six shots on goal, server 1 and the keeper set up on the other side of the goal, and the sequence is repeated for another four to six shots.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play the ball on the first touch to server 2. Have server 2 hit first-touch shots.
Understanding the goalkeeper as an orchestrator
Because they can start with the ball in their hands, goalkeepers have more options than field players do for how they can relay the ball to teammates.
Punt: Height and Distance
Punting involves striking the ball in the air after dropping it from the hands (figure 6.1). This type of kick enables the keeper to send the ball a long distance upfield and with height.
Keepers should swing through the ball and land on their performing (kicking) foot. The punt is not as accurate as the drop kick or sidewinder. In fact, the punt often results in a 50-50 ball. A punt may even give an edge to the opponent's players because they are facing the ball and can run into it, sending it back the way it came.
The punt is used when a keeper wants to buy time for his team and gain some territory, especially if his team has been under pressure. Keepers also use this technique if the surface that they are playing on does not allow for a safe drop kick.
Drop Kick: Speed and Accuracy
The drop kick is a half-volley strike. The keeper drops the ball from his hands and makes contact with his foot after the ball has taken a quick, short bounce off the ground (figure 6.2). The drop kick is a more accurate way for the keeper to advance the ball up the field than the punt.
Precise drop kicks enable teams to launch quick counterattacks. They are valuable offensive weapons when the keeper quickly and accurately gets the ball to a teammate before the opposition has time to recover and organize their defense.
Sidewinder: Deadly Counterattack
The sidewinder kick is the most difficult of the three techniques but can be the most effective. The sidewinder requires the keeper to perform a side volley to distribute the ball to a teammate. The keeper throws the ball slightly to the side, turns his body to that side, and brings his hips in line with the height of the ball as he strikes it (figure 6.3).
Read more about The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper.
When did Tim Howard know he wanted to be a goalkeeper?
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old.
If you ask me when I really knew I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I trace it to when Tim Mulqueen started training me at a New Jersey soccer camp when I was 12 years old. He made me feel like I was doing something special.
Before that camp, I was a kid on the team with enough skill to score goals while on the field and prevent them when I took my turn in the goal. Then came the camp. Coach Mulqueen took aside the kids who volunteered for keeper training. That in itself was intriguing. We would be doing something unique, something the rest of the campers weren't doing. And Tim was enthusiastic in a way that made us feel like we were on a special mission.
When he trained us, I soon became aware that goalkeeping wasn't just about getting your body in front of the ball to block shots and catch balls. As Tim showed us the fundamental techniques and revealed that making a save required a precisely executed series of movements, the position took on a whole new meaning and became even more enjoyable.
Coach Mulqueen showed us how much skill and thought go into goalkeeping. Because of that, it became a fascinating challenge. I realized that there is an art to goalkeeping, and I was improving dramatically. It's a long road to mastering the position. But I was a better goalkeeper after each session with Coach Mulqueen.
After that first camp, I started going to Coach Mulqueen's weekly goalkeeper sessions and played for his club team. When I was selected to Olympic development program teams, there he was, ready to train the keepers. Amazingly, he would also coach me when I became a pro with Major League Soccer's Metro-Stars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) and on occasions with the U.S. national team.
Coach Mulqueen has coached keepers of all ages, from youngsters to seasoned pros. And it's remarkable how similar his methods are at each level. Of course, at the younger ages, the training isn't as vigorous. His demeanor adjusts accordingly to children, who need more patience and inspiration than pros. He knows when players are physically and mentally prepared to move on to new challenges. But goalkeeper fundamentals are the same for all ages.
Tim was more than a coach to me. He helped me mature both as a player and as a person. He showed me how to respect others and how to earn respect. He even nagged me about my studies. And now that I've spent years playing in the English Premier League, I see how his influence helped me attain that success—and how his approach provides an excellent example for other goalkeeper coaches.
So much about good goalkeeper training is the ability to teach proper technique and to run fun and productive practice sessions. But there's much more to it than setting up drills. Exceptional goalkeeper coaches build confidence, critique effectively, and help players learn how to read the game. That's why this book is more than a series of exercises: It delves into all the aspects of the position and the coach-player relationship.
However crucial good coaching is, the responsibility does ultimately rest on the player. And that's what makes this book so valuable to the future of goalkeepers—it speaks to both the player and the coach.
Tim Howard
U.S. Men's National Team
Everton FC
Stop goals with proper diving technique
These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
No matter where the ball is headed, the proper technique for a diving save will include some basic procedures. These tried-and-true steps for keepers offer the best chance to make the save.
The keeper should always start in the proper ready position. The weight is on the balls of the feet, the knees are slightly bent, the upper body is leaning slightly forward, and the hands and head are in place. In this position, the keeper is poised for action.
The shoulders should stay square to the field regardless of which side the ball has been hit to so that the keeper is in position to land on the side. Rotating the shoulders over will result in a “Superman” dive, which covers less of the goal and makes it nearly impossible to catch the ball. The Superman dive sets the keepers up to land on their belly, which increases the risk of rib, collarbone, and wrist injuries.
If the shot is close, the keeper can use a short, quick shuffle step (if needed) to get nearer to the shot before diving. If the shot is headed farther away, the keeper should use a crossover step to get closer to the ball before diving. The goalkeeper should point the near foot—the foot closest to the ball—diagonally at the path of the ball to start the body in a forward motion. The near foot should provide the power to begin traveling to the ball. Depending on the distance, getting to the ball may require short shuffle steps, a crossover step, or a wedge step (a short and quick step in the direction of the ball used for power and explosion). The keeper should push or drive the hips through the shot to help cover the distance and to allow for maximum body mass behind the ball. The keeper must not arch toward or dive over the ball; the upper body should be on a diagonal path straight to the ball and should be relaxed to form a cushion for the ball. The head is held still, and the eyes look through the window created by the arms and hands.
For low saves, once the keeper has traveled the necessary distance to make the save, the keeper begins the fall with a progressive collapsing at the ankle, the side of the calf, the thigh, and the hip. The arms are bent and extended off the body to create a lane for the body to fall on the side. With the palms facing the ball, both hands should move together to the side that the shot is aimed at. This will automatically lower the upper body. Whenever possible, keepers should try to make the save with two hands. If they are forced to use one hand, it should be a stiff hand to push the ball to safety. They must not flick the ball away with the wrist. Especially when balls are hit with pace, flicking the ball increases the chance that the keeper will merely deflect the ball into the goal; a stiff-handed push applies more surface area to the ball and allows greater control. The keeper can use a caught ball as a “third hand” to cushion the fall to the ground.
Getting Down: Saving Low Balls
The most common shot that a goalkeeper faces is the low ball. Keepers need to fall to save the low ball, and the save is best made when the keeper takes a straight line to save the shot. The proper technique for saving a low ball includes these steps:
- Begin to move in the direction of the ball.
- Point the toe of the foot nearest the ball diagonally at the path of the ball (figure 5.1a).
- Turn the palms to the ball, and bring the hands to the shot (figure 5.1b).
- Collapse into the fall, beginning with the feet and moving up the body (figure 5.1c).
- Get behind the ball.
- Make the save off the body and quickly wrap both arms around the ball (figure 5.1d).
Dealing with the back pass: Exercises for goalkeepers
The following exercises will help keepers master the ability to deal with the back pass.
Back Pass With Both Feet
Setup
Place two cones about 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass at her right foot from server 1 and returns a first-touch pass. Server 2 strikes a pass to the keeper's left foot, and the keeper returns the pass on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have servers deliver balls at a faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball. If only one server is available, have the server deliver passes to each side of the keeper from a position directly across from the keeper.
Back Pass With Movement
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands across from and 5 to 10 yards away from each cone. Each server has a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper shuffles over to cone 1 (to his right) and receives a pass from server 1. The keeper returns the ball on the first touch . The keeper then shuffles over to cone 2, receives a pass from server 2, and returns it on the first touch.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 12 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the servers strike the balls for faster pace. The goalkeeper uses two touches to return the ball.
Continuous First-Touch Back Pass
Setup
Place two cones 6 yards apart to simulate a goal. The goalkeeper sets up between the cones. A server stands in front of and a little inside of each cone, about 5 to 6 yards from the cones. Together the servers and the keeper form a triangle. Server 1 begins with a ball.
Procedure
The goalkeeper receives a pass from server 1. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 2. Server 2 plays the ball back to the keeper. The keeper plays a first-touch ball to server 1.
Repetitions
Continue for a total of 10 to 14 back passes.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play two-touch balls back to the servers.
Changing the Point of Attack
This exercise develops the keeper's ability to play a ball out of the back for possession to an outside back or wide midfielder. The keeper receives the ball from one side of the field and plays it out to the other side. This is called changing the point of attack (CPA).
Setup
Server 1 is at the top of the D with a supply of balls. Servers 2 and 3 set up on the opposite side of the field as a back and an outside midfielder. The keeper sets up near the edge of the goal area in front of the server.
Procedure
Server 1 plays a ball into the feet of the goalkeeper. The keeper takes a touch and hits a driven ball out to server 2. Server 1 plays another ball to the keeper, who takes a touch and sends it to server 3.
Repetitions
After sending eight balls to the keeper, the servers move to the opposite side of the field and send another eight balls.
Variations
Add additional players (or cones set up as targets). The goalkeeper drives balls to various targets.
Everton Back Pass
This exercise incorporates a shot into back-pass training.
Setup
The goalkeeper sets up off the right post. Use cones or markers, if desired, to set off an area from which the keeper receives and sends balls. Server 1 stands in front of the keeper, about 12 yards away. Server 2 sets up in the penalty arc.
Procedure
Server 1 rolls a pass to the goalkeeper. The keeper receives the ball and takes two touches to play the ball to server 2; the keeper then moves across the goal area to align with server 2. Server 2 controls the ball and shoots on goal. The keeper makes the save and returns the ball to server 1.
Repetitions
After four to six shots on goal, server 1 and the keeper set up on the other side of the goal, and the sequence is repeated for another four to six shots.
Variations
Have the goalkeeper play the ball on the first touch to server 2. Have server 2 hit first-touch shots.