Soccer Goalkeeper Training by Tony Englund & John Pascarella

Author:Tony Englund & John Pascarella
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781782554370
Publisher: Meyer & Meyer Verlag
Published: 2017-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

THROUGH-BALLS

Dealing with through-balls is one of the most challenging tactical situations that goalkeepers confront. As with the closely related topics of clearances and build-up play, a whole range of factors influence the goalkeeper’s approach to cutting out through-balls played by the opposition. The coach must work closely with the goalkeepers and the back line to discuss the role of each player in defending the space behind the back line. Here are some tactical considerations for the goalkeeper.

• The starting point for the discussion between the goalkeeper and the coach is the goalkeeper’s ability and comfort level in playing off of his line and under the defense. Highly mobile, technically sharp and confident goalkeepers can often be deployed much higher than stay-at-home types, allowing the team to shrink the space between the back line and the goalkeeper.

• Similarly, what are the characteristics of the back-line players? Do they run well and make good decisions, allowing for a more aggressive, higher defense? Or are they a more passive, drop-oriented group that wants to keep play in front of them?

• What are the coaches’ preferences? Some coaches base their defending on pressure, and want the whole team aggressively hunting the ball (high line and active goalkeeper). Others believe absorbing pressure and conservative defending will allow the team to be more competitive and they may want the back line and goalkeeper staying home.

• Game conditions also influence the approach here. The team will likely play more aggressively in some situations (e.g., down a goal late) than others (e.g., up a goal late). Weather can influence the defending approach, with wet fields and wind perhaps shaping the tactical philosophy in a given game. Finally, the opponent is a crucial consideration. Teams that possess fast, attacking personalities that try to get in behind the back line will require a different approach than those that use less mobile targets and attack in an indirect fashion.

• Communication between the back-line players and the goalkeeper when a through-ball is played will be a decisive factor in the team’s success at defending critical space. The goalkeeper has the best view of every through-ball situation, given that he is moving forward while any of his back-line players are running toward their own goal. Thus, the goalkeeper must become adept at making a decisive, accurate call as to whether he will be coming after a through-ball or remaining near his line.

• Starting position is another important consideration. Adopting a higher line gets one closer to the backs and the ball, but also exposes the space in behind the goalkeeper and he may be chipped. Conversely, starting closer to the line reduces the possibility of being chipped, but the goalkeeper then has more ground to cover and the space behind the back line is greater.

• If the goalkeeper opts to remain near his line, he must guide the back-line players to deal with the through-ball. Whether the goalkeeper calls for a back-pass or a clearance to cut out the threat, he must both

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