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.

Goalkeeping: Superstition or Routine?

I’m going to put a few things down first:

Left sock on first

Left boot on first

Shinpads left off until after warm up

Touch the posts before kick off

Etc etc

I’m fairly certain that I could be here all day writing down ever goalkeeper’s superstition before a game; but is it superstition or routine? Well, I hope for your sake that it is routine…

As you may already be aware from reading my Blog, I acknowledge that a players mentality is a huge component of a players performance, and that can mean that any imperfections mentally can have a devastating affect.

As a player, I was guilty of having a routine but I would not allow it to be called my superstitions as I do not like to be a slave to anything. If, for whatever reason, I could not complete part of my routine then it genuinely did not matter but I know that some of my team mates were not of the same opinion.

Some of the lads would panic if they could not fulfil their superstition, for whatever reason. I would sit next to them and listen to them saying “I’m not going to play well today as I’ve forgotten x, y or z” – and that is the danger of match day superstitions.

‘Lucky’ Pants, ‘Lucky’ Shin Pads or ‘Lucky’ anything should be taken out of your kit bag and set alight! They are all dangerous to your performance, as you’ve allowed this item into your psyche and are allowing it to dictate your performance.

Routine is good, as it allows you to focus on your preparation. Routine can help to release the positive emotion pre-match as each step of your routine is completed so the fact that you have to put your left boot on first is good; relying on the fact that you have to dress in this way is bad!

Analyse what you do pre-match, and if anything plays a part in how you mentally picture your performance then it is time to get rid I’m afraid. Do not be afraid to change things around, and with each change generate a new positive image in your mind, this will help to affirm your confidence. Don’t be afraid of change, embrace it and be positive – the only thing that has the ability to affect your game is………..YOU!

Goalkeeping: Playing in the wind

Playing in strong winds is not so prevalent when you are playing in stadia, however if you regularly play on an exposed pitch then you will be all too familiar with the scenario of having to over compensate for the weather.

I have been involved in windy games where I’ve taken a goal kick, propelled it forwards out of the penalty box, only to then stand in stunned panic as the ball whips back over my head and out for a corner!

…or when one of my defenders has had to crouch with his fingers holding the ball still, in order for a goal kick to be taken! That always took an incredible amount of perfect timing from the pair of us so that I missed cracking him in the face with my boot!

One of the good things about playing in strong wind, is when the wind is blowing ‘down’ the pitch and it’s now your turn to have the wind behind you. If you are anything like me then you look for every opportunity to get the ball in your hands so that you can have a go at scoring on their goal! It is a rare chance of glory (and extremely childish) but you still harbour a strong belief that one of your volleys will travel straight into the oppositions net! Never managed it though………

Still, playing in weather that has the ability to deviate the course of the ball’s natural flight always requires extra special attention. During your warm up, it is imperative that you work on opportunities to assess the flight of the ball. This will mean staging several serves from various angles in order for you to ‘get your eye in’ on just how the weather may affect your judgement.

This is not foolproof, as wind speed can change, however as with all pre-match warm ups, you are looking to build your confidence so take several serves from the floor, take some high lofted punts and make sure that you work the serves from both sides and if possible also reverse them – so that you are taking serves from both up and down wind if necessary (may mean facing your goal during warm up).

If, at any point, you are not sure of the trajectory of the ball then play it safe. Stay at home and cover any shot or header – but make sure that you communicate this decision very early with your defenders. Doubt is the biggest flaw in any goalkeeper/defender game play so be positive and have conviction in your decision – your defenders will appreciate it.

The next headache is distribution; your usual options may well have to fall by the wayside as the weather wreaks havoc on your booming clearances – so play tactically instead. Assess the situation; can you roll the ball short when playing head wind? Can you slide a pass to your central midfielder, rather than looking to hit your wingers?

Playing against the wind can force you to move out of your comfort zone, and it is virtually guaranteed that your team mates will wholly appreciate your clever tactics; it is very disheartening for an outfield player to constantly be chasing the game so by forcing them to reassess their game can also have a positive affect on their performance.

The real key to remember when playing in windy conditions is to keep it simple. Don’t try too hard to compensate for the weather, be decisive and communicative and your game will seem a breeze (sorry, bad pun intended!)

Goalkeeping: Dealing with abuse from spectators

The banter between the home fans and the visiting goalkeeper is warming up, and has been that way since the first whistle. The goalkeeper is giving as good as he gets, and the joviality is tinged with testosterone – some of the quips from the spectators can be comical but some can be acidic and close to home.

As a human being, it is natural to react however as a sportsman then reaction isn’t permissible in today’s game. We are meant to take the abuse and walk away….

It would be a fair comment to suggest that I was a ‘character’, and as such was a target for the opposing fans. I have always had a shaved head (Match Day was always ‘Head Shave’ day!) and also I have arguably always been a vociferous communicator, so I was always likely to be a target.

I am lucky in that I have great self belief, and in turn this has generated a thick skin as I have always followed my philosophy of making sure that I was happy with what I was doing first and foremost, any detractors simply wouldn’t matter to me. Every goalkeeper needs to develop this thick skin and “deaf ear” to the crowd.

You do hear the abuse though; I’d be lying if I said that you can blank it out, however whether you choose to listen to it or not can only be decided by you. Whether it’s abuse about you, your team mates or (more scathingly) your family then it has to be ignored. Any comment made is designed to get inside your head, it’s said for a reaction to give their team the upper hand. If the supporters can take the goalkeeper away from the game mentally, then their side has an increased chance of being the victors.

What you must do is steely focus on your game, you need to prove to the aggressors that you aren’t letting them affect you and that actually you are a very good player! I’m afraid that verbal abuse is part and parcel of our position, and you also need to be prepared for the physical abuse of items being thrown at you, or spitting and even being punched as you retrieve the ball from in front of the advertising hoardings. No one said being a goalkeeper is easy, and this is often an unseen side of our game.

As you get older, the abuse is easier to handle and you can allow small reactions – I have a lovely stare in my locker, which was used for the particularly nasty abuse. It may not sound a lot, but the perpetrator knows when he’s gone too far and often a stare is just enough for them to take the edge of it. Strangely enough, it’s the same stare that I use now when the kids are playing up at home!

It is not a crime to show that you are human, football fans can be the funniest people in the world at times so if the comment made you laugh, don’t be embarrassed to show them!

Sadly, this aspect of goalkeeping cannot be trained but it is something that must be developed. Younger players can begin by ignoring any body that stands behind their goal, even if that is their Dad (which is simply wrong on all accounts! Don’t get me started…)

This mentality must be developed otherwise your performance will suffer; the only voice allowed inside your head MUST only be yours.

Goalkeeping: Playing with 10 men

It is a horrible scenario, the second you see the referee flash that red card you know full well that the game has just gotten a whole lot harder! However all is not lost, and it is often harder to play against 10 men providing that the weakened side work harder for each other and maintain their discipline.

For a goalkeeper it is a great opportunity to stamp your authority on the game as, in theory, you may very well be the busier of the two custodians! So, what can you do that can help your team play against the odds?

One of the key things that you need to remember is not to panic, and encourage your team at all times. Negativity is contagious and if you start to moan then this will affect those in front of you – many footballers need to be led, and you can become the shepherd! Obviously your team manager will sort out the team shape, and you must support his decision – whether you agree or not, now is not the time to question it!

What happens in the majority of instances is a swift adoption of a 4-4-1 formation, this is just an example and each team may differ accordingly, but whatever formation given can you encourage your players to maintain their shape?

Lots of encouragement and coaching is needed from you, as you need the players protecting you to work incredibly hard at closing the ball down. Remember the opposition will have more space available, so it is imperative that you can encourage the first defender (nearest to the ball) to close down and stop the forward pass. Try to rein your players in from chasing the game – they are no use to you chasing down an aimless clearance over their full back if it will leave your midfield exposed for instance.

You need your protection layers to do just that; protect! Make sure that you are always on your front foot and ready to sweep up any long balls as this is what you will be trying to force from the opposition. You need to dominate your penalty area, and gain team confidence by coming for deep crosses and immediately taking the pressure off your side. You can dictate their attitude.

When in possession, your side will need patience and the ability to build slowly before hitting on the break. Possession is the order of the day here, and you need to be taking an active role in providing an outlet for the man in possession.

This does not necessarily have to be you showing for the ball, your vantage point on the field will allow you to encourage movement into space from the supporting players, so you should all the time be scanning the pitch and observing what space is available at any given time. If the ball is rolled back to you, can you immediately switch play to your opposing full back or have the opposition pushed up the pitch far enough for you to unleash your forward with a long drive over the top?

Be aware of the role that you can play in a 10 man side, take responsibility for the result and certainly take charge of your penalty area. When your back is against the wall, can you be the one to inspire your team to an unlikely result? The answer is yes.

Goalkeeping: Playing without training

Argh, it’s game day and it’ll be the first time in a week that you have pulled the gloves on! You feel sluggish, nervous and unconfident about the forthcoming 90 minutes, so what can you do about it?

I know full well that training is not always possible for a variety of reasons; work, family, illness or injury and that there will be thousands of footballer up and down the country that can’t train between games, so it is not an uncommon scenario to be involved in. (Though what I can’t accept is the Semi-Pro Level Clubs that don’t train! There are several of these Clubs, and I just find that inexcusable!)

To my mind, preparation for the game begins the day before – an old saying of “Proper Preparation and Planning Prevents P**s Poor Performance” is particularly applicable to goalkeepers: The day before is when you should be preparing your kit bag, polishing your football boots and making sure that your goalkeeper gloves are clean and ready to pull off that top corner worldy in the dying minutes! I was also meticulous in ensuring that my car had enough petrol, in and that my shirt, trousers and Club tie were always ironed and ready. By simply preparing yourself the night before also helps with your mental preparation for the game. Your mind can focus entirely on how you are going to play, rather than worrying whether you packed your shower gel or not!

The pre-match routine is vitally important, as this is what will entirely prepare you for the challenges of the game. A good warm up is the equivalent of a light Friday morning training session spent focussing on your shot stopping strengths – so choose your warm up partner carefully!

If you haven’t trained, then focus your warm up entirely on your strengths – what are you good at? If it’s handling then get your server to ping quality serves into your “comfort zone”, if it’s shot stopping then feel free to fly around your goal with “saveable” strikes from your server.

In short, warm up your confidence first and your body secondary.

As a goalkeeper, you should be used to being a sole warrior amongst your team mates. Use this solitary to begin visualising some of your greatest goalkeeping moments. Remember how good you felt when you tipped that dipping volley over the bar the other week, or when you emerged from that one on one situation with the ball? Channel these feelings into positive energy when you return to the changing room prior to kick off – use this preparation time to fully focus on exactly why you play in goal in the first place!

At grass roots level, training can be a luxury so it is always down to the individual to be fully prepared for the game ahead. First and foremost for any footballer is to enjoy their game, so remember that there is no pressure on you – pressure can cripple a footballer, specifically a goalkeeper as we can over think saves and make basic elementary mistakes, but when we are relaxed and playing with a smile on our face then we can be unbeatable.

If you haven’t trained then it really is not the end of the world, providing that you have prepared properly, however if we can’t enjoy what we are doing then this will reflect in our performance.

Goalkeeping: Playing in a weakened team

It is an inevitable part of football, that at some point or another you will be standing behind players whom are not perhaps the strongest that your Club can field. Unless you play at the Elite level, then it can be rightly assumed that most Team Managers have an idea of their strongest eleven, and use the remainder of the squad for tactical, potentially game changing or support purposes.

When you see the Team Sheet or hear the manager announce the side during the Pre-Match, then it is sometimes hard to prepare yourself mentally, knowing full well that you could be in for an interesting game!

First and foremost, keep your feelings to yourself! It may sound stupid, but people will automatically look to you should you voice an opinion as you are one of the talismans for the side. Any emotional wobble from you now has the potential to undermine your team’s mentality.

Secondly, accept the challenge! There are times when life throws us a curve ball, and it is how we accept that challenge that dictates the outcome – if we cower away from any challenge then it will inevitably beat us, yet if we accept every challenge with vigour then we have the power to dictate the outcome.

Finally, know the weak spots and protect them. Without blatantly exposing your emotions, you need to ensure that any potential weak area has enough protection and support to carry you through the game. Encouragement and positive advice all help to galvanise your side, so ensure that none of your communication, verbal or physical, is defeatist and that you lead your players into believing you are going to win.

In times like this, it is essential that the more experienced players step up and inspire those around them. Even though you are a long way from the majority of the action, how you look and sound will affect your team mates.

Make sure that you know the formation, and that you fully understand exactly what your manager expects from his players at any given time. This will help you to organise from the back and actually to coach during play. Unlike goalkeepers, all outfielders are simple and need guidance(!) so your tactical knowledge and awareness will help to ensure that discipline is maintained at all times.

Stay positive, for when in the face of adversity is also when the greatest results are achieved.

Goalkeeping: When the Gaffer pulls you up

You’ve come out for crosses and got nowhere near them, your kicks were struggling to clear the half way line or you simply were just having an off day…the very last thing you need is to be told how poor you were!

But, that is what the Manager is there for – to manage.

Depends on the character of a) you and b) your Manager as to how he delivers the verdict to you, but it very much depends on the character of you as to how you accept his decision.

I have noticed a very worrying trend in recent seasons that the majority of footballers seem to think the world owes them something. I was beginning to think that this was just my opinion, but after talking to several experienced coaches the consensus is universal across the game. This opinion was cemented in my mind when I saw footage of football legend Dario Gradi, all on his own hauling a goal across the pitch at training whilst the Youth Team Players watched – Gradi was 70 years old at the time!

From my personal experience, as a coach you now have to know exactly how much babysitting these players require. Without wanting to sound like a grumpy old man, back in my day a rollicking was accepted by the players, or if a lad was asked to play out of position then he would do so without argument but nowadays it is very different altogether.

I have yet to meet a Manager or a Coach who deliberately set his team out to lose, so if you do feel the sharp end of his tongue then you have to accept it, roll your sleeves up and be determined not to let him down again.

One of my gaffers was a master at this, he was capable of putting his arm around you and either making you feel like king of the world with his praise, or stonewall make you wish that the ground would open up and swallow you whole! There was one memorable incident for me when I knew I’d had a ‘mare in the first half. When the whistle blew for the interval I stood motionless in my penalty area reflecting on what had happened. I was prepared to stay out there until the second half.

It took the intervention of one of our substitutes to encourage me to make my way down the tunnel and into the changing room. I was met with deathly silence as I opened the door and trudged in….and then the gaffer came up to me, put his arms around me and said “Thank f**k you’ve come in, I thought that I was going to have to put the gloves on!”, and that was it – the ice was broken and it snapped me out of my self-pity!

To be fair to him, he wanted to tear strips off me (he later admitted as we had a lengthy discussion after the game – when he DID tear strips off me!) but this was how he knew that I’d react best to the First Half disappointment. I knew that I’d let everyone down for 45 minutes, and I wholly respect the Manager and Staffs right to pull me up over it.

If you are unfortunate enough to be pulled up by the manager, either publically or privately, then accept the criticism. Do not try to make excuses or point the finger of blame at other players – it is you who is being singled out, so it is you who should accept the criticism and use it to fire your next performance. Prove your ability, to yourself first and foremost, but use the anger inside you to benefit your team. Fire yourself up and take responsibility for your performance – it’s no one else’s fault but yours!

Goalkeeping: When mistakes happen

Like night follows day, and Winter follows Autumn there is another sure fire guarantee in this life – a Goalkeeper will make a mistake!

We put ourselves in a position of zero tolerance where errors are concerned, so it is also a given that we must learn how to cope with them when the inevitable happens.

You will get everybody and his dog come up to you afterwards to say “Chin Up” and “Don’t worry” but these words will make no effect to how you are feeling at that moment in time. If you are like me, then you will seek solace in your own company, reflecting over and over again exactly what happened and tipping yourself into despair once more.

The harsh truth is that life does go on, and in reality no body has died so you must get up, dust yourself down and get on with it. A mistake can focus your mind and ingrain a steely resolve to be the best player on the pitch for the remainder of the game. It is this focus that must rise within you.

A mistake will happen solely because of lack of concentration, so if and when they do, then you must resolve to focus entirely on what is happening in the current time. What is a disaster is when we replay the incident over and over in our head, during live play – we immediately lose focus and instead drift off into our subconscious and history rather than staying in the present. We cannot change the past, but we can affect our future so it is imperative that the mistakes are pushed to the back of our minds until the referee blows for full time.

Allowing any train of thought to carry us away from the present is a real danger to any athlete, but for a goalkeeper can be suicidal. Watch at how many players react to a mistake, I can virtually guarantee that they will then try too hard in the next event. This over-concentration is just as dangerous as the under-concentration that led to the mistake initially.

If you try too hard, then your body is automatically tense and cannot operate as flexibly and naturally as you need to be on top of your game. The mind is what dictates a players performance, not the body, and if the mind is working harder than it should, then the body will behave in the same manner.

It is easy to say, but inherently difficult to do in pushing the error to the very back of your mind and playing in the present. Goalkeepers should be trained in isolating their thoughts; they should be well versed in how to ignore outside influences and therefore can be trained to ignore the internal emotion. If you do not possess the ability to slip into your own personal zone at any given time, then achieving your dreams will become very difficult.

Your Team Mates will expect a reaction, your Coaching Staff will expect a reaction but the Supporters will demand a reaction, and the best reaction is to be human. Kick the post, punch the floor or shout and scream if that is your manner, but as soon as the play is live again then it is imperative that you slip back into behaving like a professional, thinking like a professional and moving like a professional. Get the focus squarely back on what is happening in front of you – that is the only thing that matters at the current time.

Once the game has finished then seize the opportunity to analyse what has happened. I personally would jump in my car and drive, anywhere as it did not matter where, park up and sit there with a notepad leaning up the steering wheel. I’d make notes as to the build up, what emotions I remember, what influenced the error?

I would do this to alleviate my anger for when I got home to see the Wife. It would not have been fair had I taken it all home, though it’s inevitable that some of it would have remained with me as I would not sleep that night, but the main emotion had flowed out of me whilst sitting in my isolation.

This self taught isolation needs to become a goalkeepers best friend, regardless of the environment a goalkeeper needs to have the ability to be on his own

Goalkeeping: Keeping warm during games

We don’t half take a bettering don’t we? Every single one of us puts our bodies on the line for the sake of not allowing the other side to score, and what thanks do we get? The opportunity to be inactive for 80% of the game whilst it’s throwing it down with icy rain! Wow, some thanks!

So what can you do to help keep the chills at bay? Well firstly take a look at what you are wearing….

I know when I was a junior goalkeeper (yes, I really was young once!) I would wear padded trousers on my legs and also T-Shirts under my jersey to try and repel the chill in the air….and needless to say it failed miserably! The padded trousers in particular, just soaked up the rainwater, stuck to my legs and weighed an absolute tonne on my youthful frame! The best thing that I ever did was to ditch the ultra absorbent sponge like trousers during game play, and stuck instead to the team shorts, with cycling shorts underneath. I figured out that should it ever stop raining, my skin will dry far quicker than the padded trousers ever could, and it proved to be one of the best decisions going!

Psychologically though, it was very hard leaving the dressing room wearing shorts instead of trousers!

The same argument can be used for a T-Shirt under your jersey; it simply soaks up any water and holds it next to your skin up until you can jump in the shower at the end of the game! There are plenty of options nowadays for the “Under Armour” type clothing and these have been a real god send since their release. Do not underestimate the value of investing in this type of clothing.

If it was absolutely lashing it down then I would wear a rain top under my jersey (long before Buffon wore his too – yes, I really am a trendsetter!). This was a great addition to my match day attire; it kept me lovely and warm due to reflecting the body heat, and also relatively dry too. The only downside with this was when the padding in my shorts got soaked full of water, they would often slip down due to the slippery material of the rain jacket (not all the way down, just far enough to annoy) but by making sure the drawstring was fastened as tight as it could go prevented this a little!

Aside from the way you dress, you need to make sure you keep the blood flowing. If it’s a busy game for you then I doubt very much that you’d feel the cold however if you are relatively quiet then at some point, that little voice is going to whisper in your ear “I’m freezing!”

Wet goalkeeper gloves do not aid this chill, so ensure you keep making fists to squeeze the water out of the latex and also repeatedly perform the “windmill” exercise with your arms; this will drive the blood down into your fingers and help to maintain their warmth.

Similarly for your legs, bouncing, jogging on the spot, bounding on the spot with your knees to your chest are all ways to get that warm blood pumping around your body – in essence keep active during the game, but never let your attention drift away from the action! If you decide to go for a little jog or a skip, then ensure that you always have full knowledge of what is happening on the pitch.

A final little tip for you, and one that I picked up from a senior pro at one of the training grounds I worked at is……………..VASELINE! To stop that horrible cold toes feeling, then liberally coat your toes with this amazing stuff. Yes, it will feel horrible and ‘squidgy’ but it miraculously helps to retain the heat and has been an absolute blessing of a tip for me over the years and in actual fact, even now, I still use this trick as a spectator!