Clueless About Goalkeeping? Part 2 – How Far Out Of The Goal Should My GK Stand?

This article was written by Sean Connors, Rush Soccer’s Global Goalkeeping Director.

Missed Part 1? Click HERE to learn more about GK Coaching!

How far out of the goal should your GK stand? What does it mean to have a goalkeeper stay connected to the team?  Learn some basics that will make your goalkeeper, and your team, better right away!

How far out of the goal should the GK stand?

Where is the ball? Who has possession of the ball? Is possession secure? The answer is not always black and white.

When the ball is in the attacking third in clear possession the GK should be out of the box, and if athletic enough, advanced into the middle third of the field. In possession their role is to be an additional player available to pass to and keep possession. Defensively they are in an advanced position to intercept through balls and act as a sweeper keeper.

If the ball is in the middle third the GK should be at the top of the box if they are athletic enough to cover the goal if a turnover occurs. There responsibilities are the same. Act as an outlet in possession, intercept through balls out of possession, and protect the goal.

Is your Goalkeeper giving up long range goals, or being chipped? Lets fix it.

Depending on your GKs age, athletic ability, experience, and height they may be giving up extremely frustrating goals! If your GK is getting beat over their head, their starting position needs to be adjusted. It is great to have your Goalkeeper connected to the team and moving up the field with them, but their number one job is to protect the goal and not concede goals.

When an opponent enters an area of the field where they can score from, encourage your GK to drop back to the goal line. Being deep and close to the goal gives even the shortest GK the best chance to block a long range effort or a chipped ball. Be mindful that by dropping deep the GK is conceding the space behind the backline.

The Goalkeeper must be aware that by dropping deep they still need to be ready for a through ball if it happens. Although not ideal, they can still defend this space because they can move faster going forward to make up ground and intercept the ball.

As Goalkeepers get older they need to find the best balance for their ability. Can they handle the responsibility to move forward and stay connected to the team while still defending the goal? If not they need to prioritize defending the goal first. Keeping the ball out of the net is their number one job above all other roles.