{"id":14756,"date":"2026-07-14T08:17:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T01:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/?p=14756"},"modified":"2026-07-14T08:17:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T01:17:02","slug":"theres-more-to-being-a-goalkeeper-than-just-stopping-shots-heres-how-they-get-there","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/theres-more-to-being-a-goalkeeper-than-just-stopping-shots-heres-how-they-get-there\/","title":{"rendered":"There\u2019s more to being a goalkeeper than just stopping shots. Here\u2019s how they get\u00a0there"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"\">A goalkeeper is unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">They are often alone, defending a 7.32 x 2.44-metre space. The role can come with crushing pressure \u2013 one mistake can be crucial in such a low-scoring sport, while blunders made by midfielders or forwards can be quickly forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">However, a great effort can still help decide matches, including moments at this year\u2019s World Cup such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Ronwen Williams (South Africa) shattering a six-decade World Cup record by completing 77 passes in a game against Canada<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Cabo Verde\u2019s Vozinha, at 40 years of age, making a stunning seven saves to keep a clean sheet against Spain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Orlando Gill (Paraguay) making a series of great saves including two penalties to send Germany crashing out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@do.you.think.u.can.dance\/video\/7658761107540118797\" data-video-id=\"7658761107540118797\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;\" > <section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@do.you.think.u.can.dance\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@do.you.think.u.can.dance?refer=embed\">@do.you.think.u.can.dance<\/a> Vozinha (40 years old) Cap-vert \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddfb Legend \ud83d\udd25\ud83e\udee1\ud83e\udee1 <a title=\"soccer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/soccer?refer=embed\">#Soccer<\/a> <a title=\"tiktokcampaign\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/tiktokcampaign?refer=embed\">#TikTokCampaign<\/a> <a title=\"foryoupage\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/foryoupage?refer=embed\">#foryoupage<\/a> <a title=\"viralvideo\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/viralvideo?refer=embed\">#viralvideo<\/a> <a title=\"vozinha\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/vozinha?refer=embed\">#vozinha<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c som original - Sentir o Som\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/som-original-7489207702346992390?refer=embed\">\u266c som original &#8211; Sentir o Som<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A specialised role<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Because of their unique role, a goalkeeper\u2019s training is different from that of their teammates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In the modern game, goalkeepers are both a \u201cstopper\u201d and an integral part of a team\u2019s offence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">They are often a passing pivot \u2013 accepting passes back from defenders to reset or pivot the direction of the play with their passes out of the back third. In offence, the goalkeeper may be a pass distributor, using long kicks to well-placed teammates. Williams\u2019 passing masterclass against Canada is an example of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Sometimes the goalkeeper will go into the midfield as a defensive \u201csweeper\u201d (whose job is to \u201csweep up\u201d loose balls on the last line of defence, and help launch counter attacks). The most striking example of this was during the 2014 World Cup when Germany\u2019s Manuel Neurer left his line many times to intercept opposition passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">At the elite level, goalkeepers may also need specialised psychological support, as failed stops and errors can have immediate, obvious consequences. Techniques to stay calm and refocus during a game include using positive self-talk, breathing techniques and visualisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The nature of the role means they can also go long periods without touching the ball, so techniques to maintain attention and focus are also needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Goalkeepers will often use mental reset rituals like tapping the cross bar, bouncing on their toes and tapping their gloves together. In addition they will try to stay engaged mentally by consistently yelling out tactical instructions to teammates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do they train?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Goalkeeper training focuses on three key areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">developing specific body reaction speed and body control, so their reflexes are as sharp as possible and they can dive, jump and kick with precision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">making correct decisions during the match that fit in with their team\u2019s game plan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">being able to read the play so they can continually adjust their position in relation to the ball, teammates and opponents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Goalkeepers will typically have specialised coaching in addition to training with the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The specialised training involves stopping shots on goal from general play as well as from set pieces (free kicks, penalties and corners).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">They practise this in drills that \u201cfire\u201d balls at the keeper from various angles and distances, and with varying spin and speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@fifaworldcup\/video\/7660612005937630486\" data-video-id=\"7660612005937630486\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;\" > <section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@fifaworldcup\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@fifaworldcup?refer=embed\">@fifaworldcup<\/a> The Atlas Lion\u2026 Yassine Bounou \ud83e\udd81\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udde6 <a title=\"fifaworldcup\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/fifaworldcup?refer=embed\">#FIFAWorldCup<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c DON`T STOP - Slowed - GLXXMSTRIDER\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/DONT-STOP-Slowed-7356836665607260177?refer=embed\">\u266c DON`T STOP &#8211; Slowed &#8211; GLXXMSTRIDER<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This type of practice is particularly relevant in learning to stop penalty kicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">However, this practice does not assist them in reading the play, which is vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Reading the play is often considered the most important element of goalkeeping because no matter how technically skilful the goalie is, if they make the wrong decision, their technical skill is unlikely to help. Practice and experience under pressure can build their mental representations of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Increasingly, goalkeepers are involved in scenario-based training. This includes joining in team scrimmages (match simulation) and rehearsing key game moments, such playing out from the back, defending a breakaway or crosses into the box. This helps develop the goalkeeper\u2019s game sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Goalkeeping practice has historically been commonly structured through drills removed from the context of game play. When this happens, goalkeepers are mostly practising without the complexity of the game and all of the related information they have to process and respond to during matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Coaches today are more likely to design game-like practice environments so goalkeepers learn to read the game when having to defend the goal, distribute the ball back into play or joining in on offense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">They also need to distribute the ball back into play from saves and goal kicks. When their team gains possession, the goalkeeper needs to be a genuine passing option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Because of this, they must practice their kicking and ball control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The role is changing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Goalkeepers used to be viewed as an \u201cisland\u201d \u2013 someone isolated on the last line of defence who is there to just stop any shots coming their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">But more and more, they are becoming more integrated with the rest of the team, in defence and attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Stopping shots will always be vital but so is reading the play and controlling and passing the ball to teammates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">While a bad mistake can haunt a goalkeeper, their efforts to stop shots and repel attacks can also help win matches \u2013 including World Cups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/shane-pill-12227\">Shane Pill<\/a>, Professor in Education, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/flinders-university-972\">Flinders University<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">This article is republished from <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/theres-more-to-being-a-goalkeeper-than-just-stopping-shots-heres-how-they-get-there-286542\">original article<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A goalkeeper is unique. They are often alone, defending a 7.32 x 2.44-metre space. The role can come<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14759,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[430],"tags":[63],"class_list":["post-14756","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football","tag-football"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.10 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A goalkeeper is unique. They are often alone, defending a 7.32 x 2.44-metre space. 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