Questionable Goals

 Last spring, I decided to watch many club soccer matches (Boys/Girls ECNL & RL, Boys RL2, and boys/girls non-platform teams in 11v1 and 9v9) .  I also watched dozens of H.S./Club aged games (13-18 yrs.).  And what did I realize?   Very few goals were in total fault of the GK.  However, many goals were very “questionable”.  

What is meant by “questionable”?

  If a better DECISION by the GK would have occurred, could the goal have been prevented?    We can train/teach how to stop that shot, we even train on the tactical aspect as to how to "stop the shot" in a situational scenario, that was created in training.

However, the truth is only the team can put that situation into play, at their training session, with real field players, and with enough numbers to make it seem “game like”.  The GKs can also, watch game film so they can see the tactical situations in “real time” and learn how to prevent it or handle it more successfully.

So, do we??? 

 My findings and the numbers argue that NO, we do not.

Let me start off by letting you know that I counted 134 goals (100 games) and 56.6% of the goals scored on the GKs would be considered "Questionable Goals". This precent is so high, I would say if we were able to reduce the number of those goals, the team would have won many more of those games that ended in either a tie or a loss.

I would also conclude that training to eliminate "Questionable Goals" is more important than training the GKs to make the spectacular save.

Here is how we broke down the "Questionable Goals" into a Tier category.

Tier 1	Tactical Goals	Goals where there is more thinking & decision making required.
Tier 2	Technical Goals	Goals that require more technique and detail.
Tier 3	Miscellaneous Goals	Goals that may not be prevented, are unlucky, or great goals.

Tier 1: TACTICAL GOALS -

CATEGORY	GOALS SCORED	EXPLANATION	TOTAL
Misplayed through balls & 1v1s	26	The GK either didn't come off thier line properly, didn't close down the opponent, stayed to deep on their line, or through a better positional play, they could have saved the goal.	26
Misplayed crosses / High balls	18	The GK either misjudged the cross, did not come out, started at an incorrect position or misplayed (mishandled) the ball.	44
Poor Position or poor angle play	12	Self-explanatory; Poor position and /or angle create/caused the goal.	56
Not getting feet set or not into correct Set Position.	10	The GK was still moving or falling back as the shot came in.	66
Misplayed Corner Kicks	10	The GK either did not come out, had trouble dealing with a crowded penalty area, or could have set up thier players and/or themselves in a better position.	76
		TOTAL GOALS FROM TIER 1 =	76

TIER 2: TECHNICAL GOALS:

CATEGORY	GOALS SCORED	RUNNING TOTAL
Mishandled low shots	7	7
Poor deflection/save from the shot	7	14
Poor diving technique	5	19
Poor footwork (Movement of the feet)	3	22
Kicking mistakes (pass back/goal kick/punt)	3	25
Mishandled shot directly at the GK	2	27
TOTAL GOALS FROM TIER 2 =		27

TIER 3: MISCELLANEOUS GOALS:

CATEGORY	GOALS SCORED	RUNNING TOTAL
Great shot on goal	11	11
Penalty kick	7	18
Own goal	7	25
Goal from a deflection of a player	6	31
TOTAL GOALS FROM TIER 3: =		31

A grand total of 134 goals which was calculated as:

Tier 1 : Tactical goals = 56%

Tier 2: Technical goals = 21%

Tier 3: Misc. goals = 23%

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO TRAINING

So much of what is thought of as GK training is to create "drills" that involve too much excessive footwork exercises and a lot of repetition in diving exercises.

Based on the statistics listed above, 56.6% of "Questionable goals" are Tier 1 goals in which tactics and decision making is a key component of this.

The data suggests that more decision-making training (combined with a steady diet of TIER 2 technique training) may be the most beneficial for the goalkeeper's development.

Please, understand that Tier 2 drills are absolutely necessary as a foundation and building blocks to GK training from; the grassroots to the highest levels of play. They give the GKs confidence, keep them sharp, keep them in game shape, and the opportunity to perfect essential techniques. However, an overload of these drills can lead to injuries, hesitation, burnout, and the negative development of bad habits.

Co-op training: GK & Team Training

Whenever possible, field players should be used to train with the GKs (This does not mean the GK should stay at their team practices). The use of field players can make the situation become "real". It is a huge piece of development for the GK (when they are ready to see tactical aspects of the technical topics), it gives them an advantage in honing thier technical skills with tactical aspects that the field players can bring to the environment. It lets them begin to learn WHY we do each technique, WHEN we use it, and HOW. All people learn differently and this allows those to make the connection and have that "ah ha" moment in their training environment.

Every task now becomes more challenging for the GK: Crosses, shots from angles and distances, and headers/volleys all become more "game-like". This ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING gives the GK the opportunity to learn the field players' tendencies, body language, mechanics, and triggers that only field players can replicate. Now the GK's technique can be worked on but, with a more defined thought process and decision-making session. This can be magnified to help with:

1. Making saves

2. Dealing with crosses

3. Dealing with through balls & breakaways

• Would this help a majority of our youth GKs develop into a more complete GK?

• Would you see the benefits of having "game-like" speed and scenarios put into practices, in which the GK coach can still control and create teachable moments?

• Would this help the GK recognize the clues and triggers in the game an be able to make a better decision to deal with each task, that they may be called upon, to assist in?

Could we begin to see the number of 56.6% of goals dropping down? Which in turn, may see the technical goals also drop lower, due to understanding the game a little bit better ?

For the GK coach, it is something to think about and attempt to get better at. Our job is always evolving. Maybe its time to evolve again.