How likely is the goalkeeper to save a penalty?,
is it a high or low possibility? , and who or what does it depend on? In today’s football we tend to hear many comments along the following lines: “what, the striker missed”, “it was very easy to score”, “it was impossible to miss that goal” …. We rarely give credit to the goalkeeper, and even then, his work is only highlighted in actions of great merit, either because of the spectacular nature of the action or because of the repercussion of the action (avoiding a goal in the last minute).
When do we value the actions of the goalkeeper?
Moreover, many of the actions are recorded only for the outcome, we tend to define goalkeeping errors according to whether the action ends in a goal or not, we find it difficult to value the individual and collective actions that surround the goalkeeper excluding the final result.
Are all shots on goal in a match preventable for the goalkeeper?
Does the goalkeeper have the ability to prevent a goal in all circumstances?
The answer should be no, but it is not something we can say for sure, because in every match, in every play, in every situation many variables influence.
A simple shooting action from the front of the area can vary depending on the moment (quality/capacity of the shooter, number of defending players and their situation on the field, free areas to deflect the ball if we do not block it, time to act, wind, type of ball, state of the field, position of the goalkeeper, capabilities of the goalkeeper) and a long list of variables or factors that affect only one specific action.
How does probability influence the goalkeeper?
In most times and according to the actions in which a goalkeeper intervenes are, actions with a lot of risk, because of the possible result; or with a lot of pressure, because of the speed of the action, the time to intervene or the proximity of rival players.
How should we train?
A training plan should be aimed at increasing the goalkeeper’s chances of success and decreasing those of the opposing team.
For example
A 1×1 situation in the side zone with the possibility of a cros
What should the goalkeeper assess or interpret in this action?
1- Immediacy of the cross.
2- Possible areas where the ball goes.
3- Possible finishers and defenders.
4- Dominant leg of the player with the ball (possibility of a shot, trajectory of the ball?).
If the goalkeeper is able to make a correct assessment of the context of the play he can increase his chances of success: If he sees that the only possible finisher is at the first post, he can reposition himself by taking 1 or 2 steps forward to anticipate the cross, if the defensive line is too far away he can advance his position, if the ball is already out and he has no option of blocking or aerial deflection he can reposition himself in front of goal to prepare the shot. All this interpretation and evaluation of options (in seconds) and the performance of the goalkeeper is what will increase or decrease his chances of success
With all this, what is our methodology for the training of our goalkeepers?
Our methodology has to be based on giving our goalkeepers the perfect context for their training. We can do this by defining very well the objectives to work on and how we want to achieve them. On the other hand, we will have to create the best situations so that they have the maximum transfer to the real game. Our objective in each training session is that tasks we work on are the ones that will be reproduced the most in the competition. We should look for the goalkeeper to tell us: “hey, this is what we work on in training”.
What resources will we use in our work sessions?
- – Tasks with maximum transfer to the real game.
- – Competitive context (using forwards, defenders, etc).
- – Analysis of competitive situations (pre and post match).
- – Constant feedback on the objectives we want to work on
Therefore, our goal to improve our goalkeepers is to give them all the possible tools to increase their chances of success in each of the actions of the match. With more training, with more transfer to the game, with as much variety and situations as possible, our goalkeepers will have more resources in their defensive and offensive interventions during the competition.
