The Problem With Goalkeepers
The Problem with Goalkeepers: Why Early Specialization Can Hurt Development
The Problem With Goalkeepers is that while they may be the most important position on the field, they are also the hardest to replace and the most difficult to learn. Mistakes made by goalkeepers are often followed by immediate goals from the opposing team, making them the most impactful players in any match.
For young kids, I recommend approaching the decision to become a full-time goalkeeper with the same caution as switching sports from soccer to basketball.
Key Skills for Young Goalkeepers
For young players (under the age of 12), good coordination, the ability to not be afraid of the ball, and high reaction speed are the most important skills needed to be a competent goalkeeper. I often see athletic kids who have never had specific goalkeeper training jump into the goal and perform impressively. In fact, sometimes good field players are actually better goalkeepers at a young age because they can receive passes and dribble the ball quickly and efficiently.
The Growing Complexity of the Goalkeeper Position
As soccer progresses to 11v11, goalkeeping becomes far more demanding. It requires precise positioning, quick reactions, and mental focus for 90 minutes. A single misstep can decide the outcome of a game. Unlike other positions, goalkeepers train separately, follow unique techniques, and often need to meet physical standards like a minimum height of 6 feet to compete at high levels.
The One-Way Door Decision:
Becoming a goalkeeper is a one-way decision. Although the choice can be changed theoretically, committing to being a goalkeeper is a significant shift. Every training session focused on goalkeeper skills has very little positive impact on field player skills. The more a child plays as a goalkeeper, the more they will fall behind in developing technical abilities. Improving technical skills as a teenager is much harder than at ages 6-12, and skills missed during this golden age of learning are almost impossible to catch up on later.
Because of this, I recommend avoiding full-time goalkeeping at a young age.
Our Team Really Needs a Goalkeeper!
The feeling that having a goalkeeper is beneficial for the team, even at young ages, is valid. Teams with a dedicated goalkeeper perform significantly better than teams without one. However, this does not necessarily mean it is a good choice for your child to become a full-time goalkeeper. Especially without proper goalkeeper training and coaching, your child will learn much less while playing as a goalkeeper at age 7 compared to the time spent on the field.
What If My Child Really Wants to Be a Goalkeeper?
Some kids are naturally drawn to goalkeeping — and that’s great. If you think your child fits this profile, start by letting them play part of each game in goal. If their interest continues, add goalkeeper-specific training once a week. As their passion grows, make sure they still get plenty of technical training and time on the field as a player. Especially under age 12, it’s important they don’t play exclusively as a goalkeeper, even if that’s what they want most right now.
What If My Child Is Already a Full-Time Goalkeeper?
- If your child is a goalkeeper and wants to remain one, specialized training is essential. Just standing between the posts on Saturdays is not sufficient for becoming proficient in that position.
- Ensure that technical skills are also improving. Participation in small-sided games (3v3 and 5v5) on the field is crucial for young goalkeepers. If your child only touches the ball with their hands, it is not conducive to their development.
There is much more to discuss on this topic, but I would like to conclude with one final remark: Beyond the essential skills of not being scared and being highly coordinated, all other goalkeeper skills require long and extensive training to master. It is not something that can simply be added to a group practice and suddenly make your team proficient at it.