Youth Goalkeeping Series: Part 1 of 3

In many soccer communities it is a common belief that soccer players in the U8- U12 age groups should not specialize in the goalkeeper position. Young players must be exposed to and given time to play in goal as well as all the other positions on the field.

Specialization at too early of an age anywhere on the soccer field may result in the development of a limited perspective on the game. Young players may fail to develop the skills & insights necessary to become a complete player. This has the potential to hamper them later in their careers, as the demands of the game increase in intensity and complexity.

As young players are introduced to the goalkeeping position, the training should be simple, specific, and developed with the focus on the very essentials of goalkeeping. Specific training should be aimed at teaching proper catching technique and movement in and around the front of the goal. All training must move from simple to complex. There is little need at this time to focus on the advanced technical work required of older keepers.

The upper end of the age level or the U11-U12 age group instruction should involve positioning. Goalkeeping coaches should stress the importance of protecting the near post, teaching how to cut down the angle, and developing the confidence and understanding of why keepers move across the goal mouth as the ball moves across the field.

The lower end of the age level or the U8 – U9 age group instruction should include activites that focus on coordination, balance and how and when to come off the line for free balls in the penalty area where keepers can handle the ball.

Developing these specific technical skills and understandings at the youngest ages ensures a strong foundational start which will allow these potential keepers to develop into the next levels of goalkeeping with success and confidence.

Peter Mastrogiovanni is the Goalkeeper Instructor for the Doug Miller Soccer Academy and holds a Master’s Degree in Education. He has over 21 years of goalkeeper experience as a Goalkeeper and Goalkeeper Instructor.