Distribution Archives - Page 2 of 2

The Goalkeeper should be a soccer player first and have in addition the knowledge and ability to play in goal.

That fact, as well as the fact that 76% of a goalkeeper’s touches in a game do not involve the hands requires the goalkeeper to be competent with the ball at their feet and the back pass situation.

With good vertical play and a confidence to play with feet outside the area, the goalkeeper’s position can lead to an extra player advantage on the field (especially indoors)

Are the players in your team scared to play back to the keeper? – Please discuss with the team the advantages of playing the way you face as a defender and using the goalkeeper to pivot play.

Much of the back pass is tactical ( decision making ) and communication within the team is key.

The goalkeeper, and players should adopt these 4 words so that everyone is clear on what is happening.

“KEEPER” – Dont touch it, keeper is coming “BACK” – Play it back to the keeper
“AWAY” – Clear it
“TURN” – Keep possession. You have time to turn

Ideally the goalkeeper would be looking to play to a defender who has peeled off wide, thus maintaining possession. The pass, as expected with outfield players should be the correct weight and accurate. (Not necessarily to feet, but in front )

Common errors for misplaced passes include:

Weak ankle
Shoulders not straight
Poor first touch
Twisted follow through
Non kicking foot pointing the wrong way

The long kick is often a last ditch effort to clear from a charging forward. This kick is to clear danger. Height, distance and width are needed. Remember that this often results in a loss of possession, as larger opposition defenders facing the field of play are more likely to win the ball.

A good goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at feet should be an advantage to the team rather that a hindrance, giving everyone heart attack on the side!

See this unusual way to deal with a back pass.

See my related articles

The importance of a good first touch

Back pass facts

Kicking balls from the floor

Breaking down the Courtois backpass mistake

The ability to have a good first touch when a back pass is provided breeds confidence to both the goalkeeper and the team. The perception of the goalkeeper is very important and talked about here [Ways to improve your perception as a goalkeeper].

Like a poor first save, a poor first touch and resulting consequences can give the opposition a boost in morale as they see that the goalkeeper they are playing against is susceptible to mistakes.

This was recently the case for one of my old students, Lee Butcher, whose poor first touch resulted in a scramble to collect the ball in the first 10 minutes….. needless to say, the opposition chased down every back pass thereafter, making the game difficult for Lee. See the video here.

You will see from the video that in all honesty, the touch was not too bad. He got in line with the ball, his touch went forward….. but it was slightly too heavy considering the player charging in.

Good control from a backpass is vital throughout the game. I was watching my team play last week in which the substitute goalkeeper for the other team, who was keen to impress, got himself in trouble with this very topic. It was the eighty ninth minute of a tense promotion chasing game. See below how his bad first touch leads to some juggling antics.

One of the biggest mistakes from a first touch perspective is Rene Huigita’s mistake in the 1990 World Cup. See here for the video.

More recently, Houston Dynamo goalkeeper, Tyler Deric suffered from a poor first touch that resulted in the winning goal for new MLS team Orlando. It’s a shame for Tyler, as up until then, he had had a great game.

Sean Johnson’s recent mistake against Minnesota is an example of what could happen if you don’t take a first touch at all.

https://youtu.be/saPzgQrXCYI

Here are some common mistakes.

A heavy first touch ( As per Lee Butcher & Tyler Deric)
Not being in line with the ball and reaching ( As per Rene Higuita & the Sutton GK )
The ball getting stuck under your feet
Using the outside of your foot to control the ball and it not getting in front of you ( Or in Sean Johnson’s case, not actually touching the ball at all)
Taking your eye off the ball and missing it.

Some drills to use:

Some repititions to practice:

1) Preferred foot control, Preferred foot delivery

2) Preferred foot control, Non preferred foot delivery

3) Non preferred foot control, Preferred foot delivery

4) Non preferred foot control, Non preferred foot delivery

Decision is made based on time you have and where the incoming forward is coming from and where your team are getting open.

First touch must be diagonally forward and on the floor ( Imagine 10 or 2 on a clock face ) – Control that is backwards, up in the air or stuck under feet create difficulties.

Your selection of distribution is then based upon your coaches preferred method and various game situations ( Short to full back, wide to midfield or long to forwards ) and the tempo of the game. You would not risk a short ball to a full back under pressure if you are winning 1-0 with two minutes to go. It is important that you ask your coach of the preferred distribution.

For more help on the distribution core competencies of each age group, become a Goalkeeper HQ member and get a free pair of L1 Goalkeeper Gloves.

Dealing with the back pass

Back pass facts

Kicking balls from the floor

Reviewing Courtois’ backpass mistake

Goalkeeper HQ

Your headquarters for all things goalkeeping

Category: Distribution (page 2 of 2)

The back pass

The importance of a good first touch from a back pass.

Here are some common mistakes.

Some drills to use:

Some repititions to practice: