Goalkeeping & Playing in College
As some of you know my son Jon and I have written a book on the college soccer search, recruiting, and scholarship process. A things to do list. For those folks in this group we thought it would be nice to share one of our articles on Goalkeeping and what college coaches look for. The article has had input from goalies and college coaches from Furman, Duke, and a few other colleges. Hopefully you will find this "big picture" article informative and help you toward developing as a goalkeeper or a coach of goalkeepers ... Rich
Article 31
Goalkeepers
For Goalkeepers is it the “Limelight”, or a Fashion Statement?
My son was a “field player” in college. Two of his soccer roommates and three of his best college buddies were goalkeepers. Maybe, just maybe, he has figured them out? For most of us parents and spectators in the stands we may initially forget about the “keepers” during the match as we focus our attention on the midfield battles and flurry of activity forward as our team attacks the opposition. Then, the flow of the game shifts to our end and an air of dismay comes over us. Our “D” usually controls the situation or the keeper fields an easy ball, possesses it, and bounces the ball an ungodly number of times before being booted majestically downfield. I seldom notice what our keeper does after the majestic boot down field. Does he (or she) study for tomorrow’s upcoming exam?
All joking aside! We all know how valuable the goalkeeper is to the team and its overall success. Usually there are several attacking flurries on our goal during the game that constantly reminds us of our goalkeeper’s value. I’m not even going to talk about penalty kicks!
We wanted to dedicate an article on college goalkeeping, what college coaches look for in goal keepers, and what steps and considerations aspiring youth goal keepers need to address in the college process. We have solicited input from former college keepers, college coaches, and sprinkled some of our considerations into this article.
In another article in this book, “College Coach’s Comments to Players”, several college coaches addressed what they look for in a recruit for their college. Please read and factor that article with this one. Many of their points still apply to the keeper recruit. However, we felt it was important delve into a little more detail for goalkeepers. You girls and guys are special! Here is a list of several evaluable characteristics college coaches look for in keeper recruits:
• Decision Making. For many college coaches this is the most desired recruiting attribute. College coaches like to see potential keeper recruits make the right decision and stick with that decision. This trait is usually based on experience and some potential recruits appear to possess and exude this trait better than others. Once in college and fighting for playing time the starting keeper is usually the one who, with all other traits being equal, demonstrates the best decision making in her or his practice or game situations.
• Presence. How does the keeper make herself / himself known on the field? Does the recruit possess this trait? Is this trait exhibited via the players size, box activity, and or verbal / gesture communication? When we hear about the goalkeeper “commanding” the box, this is what we mean and this is what college coaches look for.
• Athletic Ability. College coaches evaluate the keeper’s footwork, their quickness in getting off their line, (explosiveness / reaction), and how good is their vertical leaping ability. Leg and arm strength and accuracy of distributed balls are also factored.
• Technique. Basically coaches look at how the potential recruit deals with an attacking pass, back pass, or shot. How does the keeper deal with not only the actual shot but high balls into the box? How well does the keeper handle and redistribute back passes? Does the keeper have good hands and does she or he minimize rebounds?
• Psychological. This characteristic may be initially difficult to evaluate in recruits. It often surfaces and becomes a factor in college toward evaluating the teams 2 or 3 keepers and may impact “who starts”. Goal keepers have to be mentally strong and exude this metal toughness throughout practice and in the match. As a recruit, in game situations, demonstrate your psychological or mental toughness by your body language, your recovery after a goal has been scored against you and your continuous positive encouragement of “lads” in front of you.
• Distribution & Offensive Capability. These traits might be considered “icing on the cake” for keeper recruits. When evaluating recruits, if the keeper can be the first attacker and get the offense started with an accurate outlet kick or throw up-field, these abilities carry evaluation weight. It’s also good to know, at regulation time end, that the potential keeper recruit can be looked upon as a good penalty kicker. Every little bit counts in the recruiting process so work on it all!
The items above give you a feel for what college coaches are looking for in the recruiting of goal keepers. Let’s now address what the potential recruit needs to do or consider in the college selection process:
• As is always the case, your college selection process of your target schools should be based on the education colleges offer toward your career aspirations first and foremost
• Just about all other articles in this book pertain to enhancing your efforts toward becoming a potential recruit. Read them well my keeper friend!
• In particular do your homework on the college, the soccer program, current players and their class, and the coaching staff. Be sure you are comfortable with the training methods for keepers at the colleges you are considering. Relative to the coaching staff, check or ask if the college(s) you are looking at has a full time goalkeeper coach or just an assistant coach with keeper training as an added responsibility among others.
• As a recruit, consider how to prepare yourself if you eventually go to a particular college and become one of two or three goalies. You should have already evaluated the head coach and the goalie coach. Hopefully these are the people you can live with and learn from for the next 4 years. This is important not only in a soccer perspective but in your overall college experience. Unlike the rest of the team, you will probably be spending a good bit of time working in small groups with a coach and your fellow goalie teammates. Work hard at developing a bond with your fellow keepers and your goalkeeper coach. This effort, on your part, will help to create a friendly and respectful competitive environment.
• Few goalies “start” as freshman. You may be one of the fortunate few. Regardless, learn as quickly as you can. Be prepared for the physical nature and the speed of the college game.
• Finally, be prepared to sit and not start for a year or two. Often the starting keeper will be the only keeper to play the entire year. Your contribution and playing time may not happen right away. However, you need to always be mentally ready to step in should something happen to no 1. Factor this!
I have one closing goal keeper story. My wife and I were at one of my son’s college game; a big rivalry event. I was sitting next to the parents of one of our players during pre-game warm ups. I said to the mother “What do you think” She said “I’m nervous”. I said “Is that all?” She thought for a moment and responded “No, I also think our goalkeeper is better looking than theirs and I like his goalie uniform better”. Hmm …maybe, just maybe, it is a fashion thing?
Article 31
Goalkeepers
For Goalkeepers is it the “Limelight”, or a Fashion Statement?
My son was a “field player” in college. Two of his soccer roommates and three of his best college buddies were goalkeepers. Maybe, just maybe, he has figured them out? For most of us parents and spectators in the stands we may initially forget about the “keepers” during the match as we focus our attention on the midfield battles and flurry of activity forward as our team attacks the opposition. Then, the flow of the game shifts to our end and an air of dismay comes over us. Our “D” usually controls the situation or the keeper fields an easy ball, possesses it, and bounces the ball an ungodly number of times before being booted majestically downfield. I seldom notice what our keeper does after the majestic boot down field. Does he (or she) study for tomorrow’s upcoming exam?
All joking aside! We all know how valuable the goalkeeper is to the team and its overall success. Usually there are several attacking flurries on our goal during the game that constantly reminds us of our goalkeeper’s value. I’m not even going to talk about penalty kicks!
We wanted to dedicate an article on college goalkeeping, what college coaches look for in goal keepers, and what steps and considerations aspiring youth goal keepers need to address in the college process. We have solicited input from former college keepers, college coaches, and sprinkled some of our considerations into this article.
In another article in this book, “College Coach’s Comments to Players”, several college coaches addressed what they look for in a recruit for their college. Please read and factor that article with this one. Many of their points still apply to the keeper recruit. However, we felt it was important delve into a little more detail for goalkeepers. You girls and guys are special! Here is a list of several evaluable characteristics college coaches look for in keeper recruits:
• Decision Making. For many college coaches this is the most desired recruiting attribute. College coaches like to see potential keeper recruits make the right decision and stick with that decision. This trait is usually based on experience and some potential recruits appear to possess and exude this trait better than others. Once in college and fighting for playing time the starting keeper is usually the one who, with all other traits being equal, demonstrates the best decision making in her or his practice or game situations.
• Presence. How does the keeper make herself / himself known on the field? Does the recruit possess this trait? Is this trait exhibited via the players size, box activity, and or verbal / gesture communication? When we hear about the goalkeeper “commanding” the box, this is what we mean and this is what college coaches look for.
• Athletic Ability. College coaches evaluate the keeper’s footwork, their quickness in getting off their line, (explosiveness / reaction), and how good is their vertical leaping ability. Leg and arm strength and accuracy of distributed balls are also factored.
• Technique. Basically coaches look at how the potential recruit deals with an attacking pass, back pass, or shot. How does the keeper deal with not only the actual shot but high balls into the box? How well does the keeper handle and redistribute back passes? Does the keeper have good hands and does she or he minimize rebounds?
• Psychological. This characteristic may be initially difficult to evaluate in recruits. It often surfaces and becomes a factor in college toward evaluating the teams 2 or 3 keepers and may impact “who starts”. Goal keepers have to be mentally strong and exude this metal toughness throughout practice and in the match. As a recruit, in game situations, demonstrate your psychological or mental toughness by your body language, your recovery after a goal has been scored against you and your continuous positive encouragement of “lads” in front of you.
• Distribution & Offensive Capability. These traits might be considered “icing on the cake” for keeper recruits. When evaluating recruits, if the keeper can be the first attacker and get the offense started with an accurate outlet kick or throw up-field, these abilities carry evaluation weight. It’s also good to know, at regulation time end, that the potential keeper recruit can be looked upon as a good penalty kicker. Every little bit counts in the recruiting process so work on it all!
The items above give you a feel for what college coaches are looking for in the recruiting of goal keepers. Let’s now address what the potential recruit needs to do or consider in the college selection process:
• As is always the case, your college selection process of your target schools should be based on the education colleges offer toward your career aspirations first and foremost
• Just about all other articles in this book pertain to enhancing your efforts toward becoming a potential recruit. Read them well my keeper friend!
• In particular do your homework on the college, the soccer program, current players and their class, and the coaching staff. Be sure you are comfortable with the training methods for keepers at the colleges you are considering. Relative to the coaching staff, check or ask if the college(s) you are looking at has a full time goalkeeper coach or just an assistant coach with keeper training as an added responsibility among others.
• As a recruit, consider how to prepare yourself if you eventually go to a particular college and become one of two or three goalies. You should have already evaluated the head coach and the goalie coach. Hopefully these are the people you can live with and learn from for the next 4 years. This is important not only in a soccer perspective but in your overall college experience. Unlike the rest of the team, you will probably be spending a good bit of time working in small groups with a coach and your fellow goalie teammates. Work hard at developing a bond with your fellow keepers and your goalkeeper coach. This effort, on your part, will help to create a friendly and respectful competitive environment.
• Few goalies “start” as freshman. You may be one of the fortunate few. Regardless, learn as quickly as you can. Be prepared for the physical nature and the speed of the college game.
• Finally, be prepared to sit and not start for a year or two. Often the starting keeper will be the only keeper to play the entire year. Your contribution and playing time may not happen right away. However, you need to always be mentally ready to step in should something happen to no 1. Factor this!
I have one closing goal keeper story. My wife and I were at one of my son’s college game; a big rivalry event. I was sitting next to the parents of one of our players during pre-game warm ups. I said to the mother “What do you think” She said “I’m nervous”. I said “Is that all?” She thought for a moment and responded “No, I also think our goalkeeper is better looking than theirs and I like his goalie uniform better”. Hmm …maybe, just maybe, it is a fashion thing?
© 2012 Created by Tim Horton.
