An article on the recently created goalkeeping platform called Goalkeeping Intelligence headlining Tony Elliott, debated the constraints of goalkeeping in both the Male and Female game. The spotlight was mainly on the Females game as Tony, who is the head goalkeeping coach at Birmingham City WSL shares his valuable insight into the constraints, affordances and the psychological aspects in developing goalkeepers to reach their optimal potential.

This blog is a personal commentary in response to the article, as a coach myself I’ve so much vested interest in this topic that can only aid in not just my development, but also the goalkeepers I coach. I might come across as a bit fantastical with some of my comments but unlocking limited beliefs is the key for the evolution of mankind. Back to the article, the constraint topic of the day was headlined Moving the goalposts written by Adam Woodage the administrator of the platform. The main discussion was the controversial idea of reducing the width of the goalposts in the women’s game, to compensate for the obvious physical capabilities compared to their male counterparts. This idea was proposed in response to bridging the gap in goalkeeping standards between males and females. One notable vocal critic was Englands international goalkeeper Carly Telford, who stipulates that reducing the goal size does not help in raising awareness in gender equality in football and that the focus should be on better coaching than reducing goal size.

To put this topic into perspective I will comment about the Male and Female constraints in separate groups because of its complexity.

MALE GOALKEEPERS

Males constraints varies from the height of each individual, their abilities, their characteristics etc. On a fundamental level, from a young age they are trained in small 5-a-side goals and then progress as they get older. As the various constraints are observed and notifed, affordances are recommended and introduced by coaches to aid in balancing the development of the goalkeeper. For instance a 6’6″ goalkeeper would be encouraged to be more aggressive in narrowing angles as his bigger frame allows, but can be susceptible to a slower time reaction making low saves. Likewise a 6’1″ (and below) goalkeeper would be advised to stay deeper towards his goaline for a better time reaction, but can be susceptible to a low explosive agility threshold to cover wider angles. These constraints are prevalent in the modern game especially at the professional level. The saving techniques in futsal goalkeeping can be beneficial in some specific situations as an affordance to a tall goalkeeper, but for the smaller goalkeeper who has to stay deep has to do a lot of physical work on increasing his explosive agility threshold. In my experience, having a vertical leap of 40 inches has greatly improved my agility judgement and timing in the past as I effortlessly catch a high cross (as opposed to unnecessary punching) and make top corner saves that seem impossible. An allocated amount of time must be dedicated to the gym with the appropriate exercise programme in order to gain vertical leap increase. I believe that majority of the professional goalkeepers have it within themselves to increase their vertical leap which will reflect back in their game by confidence in catch the ball and increased diving distances. For quicker reflexes, futsal goalkeeping is a discipline I highly recommend, though the specific techniques can be player dependent. Adaptation is key.

FEMALE GOALKEEPERS

Female constraints variation are much more profound in the physical department than in any of categories compared to their male counterparts. It’s a scientific and biological fact that females are physically the weaker sex ( I hope I don’t get into trouble with feminists 😓 ), and therefore limiting the threshold of progression when developing the physical aspects the discipline requires. In the females game, the average height of an adult goalkeeper would be 5’10” at best, and even the tallest goalkeepers do struggle to attack high balls and in general possess a less than average explosive vertical leap and diving technique. The reaction timing is about half a second slower than their male counterparts, and the shots they face, although technically and skillfully on par with the males, are less potent in velocity. This is why the article rightly indicates that the physical development of the female goalkeepers in essence be prioritized ahead of the technical performance in the training sessions.

Of course with all the physical development programmes implemented by coaches, there’s still that threshold of progression that cannot be surpassed. At this point in time that threshold is yet to be bridged and Carly Telford is right to demand better coaching in the females game, instead of seeking controversial changes to the game that isn’t practical and beneficial in the long run. Having said that, the introduction of better coaching might involve the overhaul of the current coaching programmes in the female game, and what that will entail I do not know, but I do know the standards of female goalkeeping is in dire need of improvement. The only way to go forward on this is to be transparent towards the problems and be pragmatic about the solutions recommended. Tony Elliott expressed some brilliant points about professional female athletes that participate in the long jump, high jump etc and really do excel in their discipline so in theory it should not be any different to what female goalkeepers are required to do to excel in their discipline. Another point is the physical and mental attributes plays a key part in growth and development and when we summarise the issues, there is a case of looking to make major strategic changes in the current female training programmes, but it would be interesting to observe who or what will be pivotal in making these important changes and/or decisions.

As for me, the saying goes one keeps learning until dead is a given as far as I can imagine so as a goalkeeping coach I’m still in class but that hasn’t stopped me from sharing an opinion by request. I look forward to the outcome and writing conclusively about this intriguing topic..

You Are The Ultimate Keeper of Your Destiny.. ULTIMATE KEEPER