The infrequently asked question now has an answer.
Soccer is a simple game, especially for goalkeepers. Formation permutations are limited by a narrow range of tactics: defend, attack, or a combination. Up to five substitutions are allowed, but that shouldn’t tax the brain much, as only a couple will be relevant… depending on the score.
While outfield players may have to adjust their movements and positions minimally and must be wary of offside traps, being a keeper, even a sweeper-keeper, is even simpler. No matter the “tactics” employed, they must stop the ball from hitting the front of the net (why is it always called the back of the net, which would be the other side).
In the good old days (they were mostly good), many goalkeepers would unthinkingly hoof the ball forward at a goal kick, then let the center forward (or “false number 9”) try to retain possession.
Nowadays, more managers are coaching their teams to play out of the back, somewhat emulating Barcelona’s infamous Tiki-Taka style (it can get monotonous absent a mixture of styles). This often involves intricate passing with the goalkeeper at the hub. Unfortunately, goalkeepers often miscue their passes or gift the opposition a goal by dilly-dallying as if under cognitive decline.
Which leads to the question: what do they do all week in preparation for a match? Most of us work hard for a living, day after day. Many professional soccer goalkeepers get exorbitant salaries, so you’d think they’d determinedly refine their kicking skills.
Traditionally, goalkeepers needed agility and sharp reflexes to be shot-stoppers. That’s about it; not much skill is required of them. In modern soccer, there’s still not too much skill demanded, just the ability to kick a darn soccer ball a few feet, with some accuracy, rather than sky-it indiscriminately.
No one is asking them to trap a 30-yard pass with their feet or dribble past defenders. All they’re being asked to do is avoid kicking the ball to the guy in a different jersey. However, if the opponents are pressurizing, and the defenders or midfielders are swarmed, it’s prudent to lay into a good old-fashioned hoof down the field.
Some skillful techniques in soccer require innate talent and can’t be coached. Executing a simple pass is not one of them; it can be drilled into a goalkeeper repeatedly. They should be practicing their passing form hundreds of times a week. Maybe even spend a few extra minutes on the practice pitch daily – what a concept. It’s the least they can do while their fans work so hard to be able to afford ticket prices.
Courtesy Keepers Portal
So, again, what do they do all week? That’s a reasonable question because, too often, keepers decide to have arguments with the soccer ball itself, which often leads to stumbling over a simple back pass. Other times, they execute a short pass that puts a teammate under needless pressure; even worse, they’ve been known to skew a goal kick directly to a looming attacker around the penalty box.
In the Premier League, Arsenal’s Ramsdale did just that against Southampton, but consider the calamitous case of Manchester United’s David De Gea.
Though in a good (or is it bad?) company, De Gea is prolific at gifting goals to the opposition. Indeed, despite his undeniably safe hands, his feet are undeniably hazardous. This is a huge problem because, perhaps counterintuitively, goalkeepers use their feet more than their hands.
There’s a basic (and fun) soccer drill whereby several players in a tight circle play keep away from a player in the middle who’s trying to intercept the ball. It requires quick wits, ball control, and passing skills. What are goalkeepers doing all week? Since attackers often charge them down, I hope they will participate wholeheartedly in these drills.
David De Gea, apparently, is not, or at least he’s a slow learner. Indeed, in a recent Europa League match against Sevilla, the Manchester United goalie needlessly put defender Maguire under duress with an inexplicable pass. The mistake-prone Maguire is one you don’t want under pressure. Sure enough, Maguire promptly proceeded to prod the ball to an opponent, who gratefully directed the ball into the front of the net.
De Gea in action (photo courtesy MARCA)
Given De Gea’s proclivity for stray passes, several pundits question his longevity at United. However, ex-player Owen Hargreaves complemented De Gea as a shot-stopper before adding, “[b]ut he is not good with his feet, and Ten Hag (manager) wants to play out.”
De Gea may be the poster child for footy imbeciles, but he’s not alone. Even as the foot skills of a modern-day keeper are crucial, the passing accuracy for Premier League keepers was recently an abysmal 57%. That is considerably lower than the Premier League teams’ average pass success rate.
Top soccer teams may play about two games weekly while still involved in various competitions. For many clubs, it’s just once a week. So what do goalkeepers do the rest of the time? In addition to diving, catching, and handling drills, they must practice their ball distribution techniques while being taunted by an attacker.
For someone around a soccer ball for much of their adult life, it shouldn’t be that hard to kick it with some degree of accuracy. I’m not sure my granny could do it (as the saying goes), but it doesn’t take too much skill. Even a klutzy footballer like De Gea, after repetitive drills, will develop muscle memory, if not skill.
Goalies: don’t kick back complacently between matches. Just kick it, time after time. Practice all week long – the fans deserve your commitment to finally kick in.
