As I discussed in my soccer formation or system article, a goalkeeper in a soccer team is always a critical player. He would have to be on the field no matter what formation or system a team is put into playing. A goalkeeper can be defined as the player who guards the goal of his team during the course of a match. Furthermore, he is the only player legally allowed to touch, pick up or save the ball with his hands inside the six-yard box or the penalty area. This alone makes him different from all the other players.

Under football laws, any other player using their hand to touch or block the ball on purpose would result in a minimum foul and a free kick or penalty would be given to the opposition. Another fact is that most goalkeepers would either stay inside the penalty area or not during the half as their job is to keep the ball out of the goal. Technically, a goalkeeper is the most difficult position to play. The reason for this is simple, even if he saves every shot in the match, except for conceding the only losing goal of the match for his team, he would become a villain instead of a hero at the end of the match. Therefore, a goalkeeper must be vigilant and stay focused throughout the match, as a single mistake or lapse could cause his team to lose.

Therefore, a goalkeeper is normally treated in a very different way from the rest of the team. The characteristics of a great goalkeeper can be summarized as: Having a good command of the area, having a good sense of positioning, having good agility or jumping ability and having a good pair of hands. Having a good command of the area would allow a goalkeeper to improve or organize to “fix” his defense during corners or free kicks from opponents. This is critical as most teams in the modern game work on their set pieces and only a lapse in defense can result in conceding a goal.

In the past, great goalkeepers have always been seen in command of the box as generals like Peter Schmeichel of Manchester United fame. Another important aspect is a goalkeeper’s sense of positioning. Sometimes it can be similar to a sixth sense of where the ball would be thrown. In some matches, poor goalkeeper positioning can result in a goal being scored. Being agile or having good jumping ability has allowed many goalies to stay clear or make great saves when the opponent has taken certain shots off the goal. While you do need to be equipped with a strong pair of hands, as shots can come at high velocity or from different lanes with a variety of power.

Some of the best goalkeepers in modern games are Buffon of the Italian Giants Juventus and Peter Czech of the English Giants Chelsea. Each of these goalkeepers possesses most of the above characteristics to make them a highly valued member in their teams. Without a doubt, the goalkeeper is one of the most specialized positions in soccer or football with its ups and downs with each match.