Having filled out the evaluations and gone through the self-analysis sheets, I wanted to share some thoughts on what it actually takes for goalkeepers to get top marks in different aspects of the game.

I believe that many players and parents are unaware of what is needed to really be a top-class goalkeeper.

The key to being a top goalkeeper is successful consistency in as many of the goalkeeping core competencies as possible… therefore, our evaluations are graded on how often a goalkeeper does each competency.

See below to see if you actually meet the criteria. Evaluation is marked on how often the goalkeeper does each competency – All the time, most of the time, half the time, some of the time or none of the time. If the score is none of the time, it may be because the goalkeeper has not yet been taught this aspect or does not understand what is being asked of the goalkeeper in that situation.

You can see the Technical sheet here

You can see the Physical sheet here

You can see the Psychological sheet here

Tactical

Distances of support – To defenders when attacking and defending.

To get 5 out of 5 on this, goalkeepers need to constantly be close enough to the last defender in order to be an option to play and be part of possession, rather than be the last option to clear the ball. The goalkeeper should also be available to receive the ball when the team has a throw-in their defending third and take free kicks, thus giving more options.

When defending, the goalkeeper should recognize opportunities to creep up the line and be a covering defender ( if out of the box ) and in the box, be close enough so that if a defender is beat or a through ball is played, the goalkeeper is the next line of defense.

Communication – Loud and clear, early, with different tones to distinguish danger. Instructional.

In addition to the above, I would like to add “supportive” – in the way the goalkeeper talks to players and in finding opportunities to do so. Key times which are at a minimum of when I should hear the goalkeeper is when the ball is in the air, behind the defense and when defending set plays.

EXPECTATIONS PER AGE

See my post on what makes a good goalkeeping evaluation?