Goalkeeping: Visualisation

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Goalkeeping: Dealing with back passes

For those of you, like me, who were actively playing before the back pass rule came in way back in 1992 will know what a luxury it was to be able to scoop the ball up from your defender if they were under pressure – us goalkeepers really weren’t ball players back then, our priority was mainly to spank the ball as far forwards as possible after receiving the pass!

Fortunately the game has changed, and I think the Back Pass Rule has been a change for the better, we have had to either adapt or die and notably many of the “senior” goalkeepers playing at that time of change struggled with the new rule and subsequently retired or slowly drifted out of selection.

I admit to originally being one of the goalkeepers who struggled to adjust, and without proper advice on dealing with a pass (it just never happened – in training I did not expect to be passed to, even if I was having a run out on pitch!) so I took the old trusted favourite of spanking the ball as far and as high as possible!

Was this beneficial to the team? No, but I did not realise any different as I was simply carrying on as before the rule change albeit with a new enforced change of technique! I carried on with this philosophy for years until I worked with my favourite ever Manager – a Brazilian ex-Pro who is now involved with the Cape Verde national team (so people have nice lives!)

Being a natural ball player, he encouraged his teams to “play” football and he wanted every player in his squad to be able to be comfortable and decisive on the ball. He was a fantastic coach and put player development above results. He was the type of coach who would spend hours after training with players on a one to one level. I cannot hold this man in any higher esteem than I do already.

Anyway I digress, but he taught me the merits of vision, and rightly acknowledged that I only receive the ball coming towards me so I should already know what options are available to me – I should be able to see all the pitch and space in the time the ball took to travel to me.

And boy was he right, no longer did I focus on the ball and getting all my weight through the clearance as instead my focus was “Can I play this first time to Player x?” or “Have I time to take a touch and build possession from the back?”. My game stepped up massively with this revelation and is something that I took into coaching.

I have had countless hours of heated discussions with Team Managers who only ever asked my goalkeepers to “Clear the bloody thing!”. I stayed true to the Brazilian ethics and actively worked with my goalkeepers to become players, play the ball short when necessary and to always show again for a return pass – we reaped both rewards and fans acclaim because of our idealogy, and even though the Gaffer may not have been too happy originally, he was soon won over by the decision making of my goalkeepers.

Football is about making the right decision at the right time, and by keeping possession allows your team “thinking time”. A long aimless hoof up field only alleviates the pressure momentarily, whereas a carefully selected slide pass to your full back forces movement of other players – movement which, if delivered correctly, can set your team up on the attack.

Be brave with passes, always be an option for the player on the ball and always know your options of distribution before you receive the ball – you’ll be surprised at just how easy football becomes when played the right way!

Injuries can be the bain of a goalkeepers life; there is only one position available in the team, so any time out injured will normally also result in a loss of starting place. Managers generally don’t like to chop and change goalkeepers, and providing your replacement has been doing his job, then you may find yourself out in the cold. 

Aside from my current knee injury (thanks to a Skoda driver who did not see a queue of stationary traffic!) my career was relatively injury free…..barring the odd niggle and wrecked finger which meant a couple of games out at the most. Although embarrassingly I actually pulled my hamstring ion the warm up for our last game of the season and had to be replaced before kick off! 

I came out the changing rooms, blazing sunshine and nothing to play for as both teams were mid table. I always carried a ball out with me, I don’t know why but it become part of my routine……’booof’ I volleyed the ball high into the air (I think the sunshine put me in a relaxed mood!) and SNAP! I felt my hamstring twang, followed by the immediate black and blue bruising. My Gaffer was not impressed……luckily we were then finished for the season, but even so I never did that again! 

I was always very lucky in that we had an exceptional Physio, and he conversed regularly with all of the Gaffers we had pass through the Club. He also understood the psychological aspect of injuries, and the fact that players hated missing out on playing football. 

He taught me how to manage injuries, and also to learn what my body is telling me. There was one instance where my tendon had collapsed in my foot (leaving me without an arch in the sole). It happened about 30 minutes into a game, and resulted with half time seeing him packing my boot with cotton wool to create a “pretend” arch. The game was absolute agony, but without his diagnosis I would not have been able to carry on. 

Because the Manager wanted me to play, as did I, the Physio gave me some exercises to do (with an ice cold drinks can!) and we managed the injury until it became tolerable. I’m not suggesting that everyone plays on when injured, but to seek professional advice and listen to what your body is telling you. 

There have been times when I’ve been out because of a fractured finger or cracked ribs (the latter happened on a Scottish FA Coach Education course! I pulled a rare worldy out of the top corner, and landed like a shot elephant!!). As far as I’m concerned, if you sign for a Club then you should turn up to Training and Games as normal, with or without injury. 

Even if you’ve been pied off by the Manager, then I feel that players should attend (unless asked to play for the Reserves), but I know that I am a rare breed nowadays with this opinion. 

If you are out injured then I would encourage you to do the same. It helps to stay involved, it helps to keep you fresh in the Managers mind and it also helps to earn the respect of your team mates and to set the tone for their behaviour. 

There is nothing worse than people who feel sorry for themselves. Those who mope around because they have a runny nose or slight headache should be embarrassed so don’t sulk if you are out injured for whatever reason. Don’t have a resentful attitude as this will rub off on the other players. Show that you are committed to gaining full fitness once more; keep in contact with the Physio, Manager, Squad and Supporters by attending all training and matches (unless advised otherwise), and maintain a positive outlook. 

Oh, and watch the diet! It’s incredibly easy to add weight if you aren’t able to be active for a while…you don’t want to return as a bloater!

Goalkeeping: Goalkeeper Coach Education

There is a lot of online discussion about Coach Education for Goalkeepers, with most of the gripes coming from the English FA segment – this is largely because of the long winded and expensive pathway that Goalkeeper Coaches have to follow to achieve their qualifications via the outfield badges.

Without wanting to boast, when I was actively coaching I possessed a large range of coaching badges from the English, Scottish and Welsh FA’s; potentially the most qualifications of any Goalkeeper Coaches whom I knew personally and certainly within a 60 mile radius of me!

 I feel that this puts me in a strong position to be able to pass judgement on a couple of questions. 

Why should I have to do my outfield badges before my goalkeeping ones? 

When I first began accumulating my qualifications, I was of the same opinion however I soon learned that this was a naïve way of thinking, as any education that I could get would only be good for my goalkeepers. Having to take the outfield badges too certainly developed me as a coach, and allowed me a greater insight into the beautiful game of football – plus I enjoyed the new experience, and seeing the game through different eyes. 

However, I do feel that once you have passed your UEFA B Outfield then you should be allowed to jump straight on the Goalkeeping A Licence (bypassing the outfield A) as you have already demonstrated your competence as a coach – which is largely the C and B requirements. 

Personally I think that every coach should continue to learn, and if that means taking obscure and outfield courses then what is the harm? I qualified as a Child Welfare Office even though I knew that I would never be needed in that role at any club but:

“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn” 

Why can’t I do a higher level goalkeeper course with a different Countries FA? 

I am led to believe that the national FA’s are clamping down on cross border Coach Education, as some coaches were completing licences from one FA and jumping straight to the next level with another National FA. 

I personally think that this is a good thing, as each National FA will (or should) have their own Coaching Philosophy. 

Just because you can no longer take your Goalkeeping A Licence in Scotland off the back of your B from Wales should be applauded, in my opinion. 

You can still take the A in Scotland, but you just have to take the two Courses previous. This a) gives you more qualifications and b) gives you more experience and knowledge as a coach. How can that be a bad thing? 

I acknowledge the cost and time involved, however it is all in investment. Scotland wouldn’t nor couldn’t stop you from taking the A Licence providing you had taken their C and B before them. Wales can’t stop you from taking the Goalkeeping B licence providing you’ve taken the C and Award with them……do you see a pattern emerging? 

There are too many badge snobs in football, the “I’m level two, what level are you?” mob that don’t actually care about player development, they care about personal development. They care about how they look and the competition with other coaches. Do things right, respect the National FA pathway for qualifications and never stop learning – even if that means going right back to basics on an entry level course. 

Who knows – you may just enjoy it!

Goalkeeping: Getting on with the Gaffer

A rather apt topic for me to write about, considering that I once said to our new manager during pre-season “I don’t have to like you to play for you”……and strangely enough I didn’t. He pied me off to the Reserves and transferred me a week in to the season. Doh! I really must learn not to be so honest sometimes!

I have seen both sides of the fence, as I have turned my hand to managing since I can no longer actively coach. I’ve worked for a grassroots side during my recovery from surgery and latterly the reserve side for a Step 5 club. 

I have to say that for every 20 players that like you, there is 1 that thinks you’re a total knob! The old saying that you can’t please everybody all the time certainly rings true for football managers! 

I can’t speak for every Manager in the game, but I certainly never did anything out of personal reasons – if you were dropped from my team then you were dropped for football reasons only. Sadly, players do not see it that way and they all think that you don’t like them – even after you’ve sat down and had a chat with them!

All players want to play. I haven’t ever met one that was happy to sit on the bench and pick up their wages, so you must try to understand that if you are dropped then, I would hope, that it is purely for football/tactical reasons. 

The best advice I can give is to always be honest with the manager – if you have any questions then seek him out and ask! Do not let things simmer and fester away, as I can promise you that will only make the resentment far worse! 

I had one lad who couldn’t train because of working shifts. He knew that those who attended training would take priority for the games, but made no effort to attend – instead choosing to moan at being on the bench every week! He posted on Facebook that he was on 2 weeks holiday from work (big mistake) and when I told him Training details he replied with “I’m working, sorry”. 

Long story short, he moaned at me for being sub again after the 2^nd week of his holiday (again his Facebook status was updated on training evenings with “Watching Shrek” or “Playing COD”). I explained I knew about his holiday and updates etc, to which he the apologised and left the Club – suitably embarrassed I assume. 

I wouldn’t mind, but he then told people I’d asked him to leave the Club as he was no longer welcome! (I said no such thing, he was a good lad to have around on a match day!) People tend to find it’s easier to blame me than accept responsibility themselves, as I will always give a straight answer to a question – and sometimes people just don’t like the answer they hear! 

Being a manager is pretty much a full-time gig, even at grass roots levels! Often they simply do not have the time to address every single member of their squad and explain their reasoning’s, as they are extremely busy running around performing the million and one other tasks that need to be performed so that you can have a game on Saturday! 

You have to trust your manager, whether you agree with him or not, it is not your decision ultimately. Certainly as Manager, I encouraged challenges and also asked the Players to find answers to the problems that I was setting but I would still expect the full support of the Players to whatever system we were working. If you do question the tactics, then have a reason for the questioning as following up with “Because it’s rubbish” will not get you, nor the team anywhere! 

Remember the Manager is human, and is highly unlikely that he wants to lose the game, so he will be doing what he sees best for the circumstances. By all means, question things in private, but lend him your full support in public and be the Player that your Manager needs – whether on the pitch or sitting next to him in the dug-out!

Goalkeeping: Working with the full backs

Arguably, a team’s full backs have the ability to be the most pivotal players on the team sheet – they are often as responsible for begging an attack as they are shielding the threat from the opposition wingers. 

As goalkeepers, it is our duty to understand both our team mates and the Managers tactical requirements. There is little point in playing football at senior level without an understanding of the game. It is all well and good knowing your game, your ability but think of that extra percentage advantage you can gain by immersing yourself in the tactical role of the match. 

In the modern game, it is exceptionally rare to find full backs that just defend. Most have a specific role to play within the Managers requirements, although I do remember when I first began senior football at 15 years old I had a Manager who would scream blue murder if one of our full backs ever dared venture away from the security of the back four – and that’s when we were attacking! 

It has to be argued that my impression of that particular Manager wasn’t great; I felt that he was tactically inept however he was the gaffer, and if that’s how he wanted his team to play then that’s how I would support (plus at 15/16 years of age then who was I to argue!) 

The saying that “Goalkeepers can see all of the pitch” is largely true; however it is also pointless if you don’t actually understand what needs to happen on the pitch! Understanding the needs of your full backs is key to building a strong defensive foundation. 

I have always been a fan of clear lines of communication, by talking to my team mates I would gain an understanding of how they worked, what their key-words were (do I need detail in the communication or is e.g “Left shoulder” a good enough call?) and what was expected of them from both the Manager but, more importantly, themselves. 

I would insist on working with ‘my’ defence in all the SSG’s and Phases of Play during training, as this would speed up our understanding of working as a unit and iron out any potential problems before Saturday afternoon.

The full backs are an integral part of that unit, and the more that you understand about them as players, the more that you can benefit your team. As the play is developing down the left wing, a quick glance across the pitch may well expose the space that your right back has in front of him to exploit. One quick shout, and a brief defensive ‘shuffle’ later and your team have managed to stretch the game and create space. 

Defensively you want your full backs to know when to show the opposition inside and into the crowded area of the pitch, or whether to show them down the line. Apart from the players own knowledge, it should be you that makes this decision as ultimately it is your goal that’s being protected. My preference on this was to always encourage the players inside before the 18 yard box, once they were level with the 18 then I wanted them out wide. This was because I was confident in dealing with a shot from 18+ yards (but there should be enough bodies to prevent this), and also that often a cross from deep is a lot harder to deal with effectively. 

I am a huge fan of communication, not shouting and screaming, but effective communication. Your full backs thrive on information, it makes their jobs easier if you are their ‘look out’ so ensure that you know what to say and when to say it and your back four will swiftly become the defensive unit that you deserve!

Goalkeeping: Playing Against a Bully

I’m pretty sure that we’ve all been there at some point in our careers – looking across at the opposition and seeing him standing there; that one lad you didn’t want to play against, that one lad you know is a complete bully. 

I had one memorable incident, when during the warm up this lad was making his way back into his changing room before kick off. He purposely went out of his way to approach me (I was on the edge of my box, working on my distribution), he did not offer to shake hands but jutted his head into my personal space and growled “I’m going to do you Keeper!” 

I stared down at him, and did not react. I had been in the game for far too long to know that was exactly what he was after, so I refused him that pleasure. Actions always speak louder than words, and kick off was just 15 minutes away…. 

There was a through ball knocked through after about five minutes, and predictably it was a dual between myself and this bully (you could have laid money on this being an early incident!). As I sprinted out to gather the ball, I knew full well that I was in for a clattering but in for a penny, in for a pound… 

I gathered the ball on the slide, just as he decided to dive in with his studs up. BOOM! We came together and I can recall the snapping sound as though it had just happened. The collision between his studs and my head was sufficient enough to bend his straightened leg back on itself, and whilst I suffered a little bit of a cut just above my eye (just the five stitches this time – nice “Terry Butcher” bandage for the rest of the game!), he had actually fractured his leg. 

He was screaming like you wouldn’t believe and after I threw the ball out of play for treatment I bent over him, stared directly into his panicking eyes and said “Maybe next time Pal....” 

I knew what was going to happen when I went for the ball, but I wanted it more…I was more focussed and determined with what was about to happen, and regardless of the impact, there would be absolutely no way that I would have shown him that he’d hurt me. I was always going to win that challenge regardless, I wanted it more. It was simply a freak accident that caused the break as the majority of times that this would happen would just result in a sore head for the goalkeeper, however on this occassion, the bully got his come uppance!

Banter and intimidation is part and parcel of football, and it has to be like water off a ducks back for a goalkeeper. The key to dealing with this is self belief and confidence. Even if you don’t feel confident, or you are a naturally shy person then just by simply acting like you are full of confidence tricks the mind into believing it! These comments are made simply to get into your head and to upset your natural game, and if you allow them in then they will affect your performance. 

I can take a clattering if it means that I win, for as long as I am breathing then I will be up for another challenge. I would allow no body to ruin my enjoyment of the game; no body will spoil how I feel just because they think they can. I will not show pain, regardless of what my body is telling me. I will not allow others to think they have beaten me.

 Bullies want reactions, and if you fuel that by giving them what they want then you have lost. Have confidence in what you say, what you do and how you act - you will emerge from every personal challenge as a victor.