I've always believed that every player on the soccer field is important but there is something unique about the goalkeeper. A goalie is the last line of defense and can either win a game or lose it. In the case of girls in the U14 category, the right skills should be developed early enough to pave way for a great goalkeeping career. Now let’s take a look at the basic skills that every girls U14 soccer goalie should possess.
Technical Skills
1. Shot Stopping
The primary job of a goalkeeper is to keep the ball out of the net. U14 goalies should focus on:
- Hand placement for various types of shots
- Fast response to changes in the ball’s movement trajectory
- The shooting techniques of low and high shots
Consistent practice with various shot types will help improve these skills. Remember, it's not just about stopping the shot, but controlling it to prevent rebounds.
2. Footwork and Positioning
Great goalkeeping starts before the shot is even taken. U14 goalies should work on:
- Slight movements to change the position
- Correct positioning of angles to minimize shooting angles
- The opportunity to switch from post to post at short notice
Good positioning can make a difficult save look easy, which boosts the morale of the goalie.
3. Distribution
Modern goalkeepers are often referred to as the 11th field player. U14 goalies should practice:
- Proper tosses to immediately begin countering
- Goal kicks and punts for longer clearances
- Short passing with both feet for playing out from the back
Effective distribution can turn defense into attack in seconds, making the goalkeeper a key player in transitional play.
Physical Skills
1. Agility and Flexibility
Goalkeepers must be able to run and jump to make saves and to cover as much ground as possible. Focus on:
- Quick changes of direction
- Stretching exercises that target the hip and groin regions of the body
- Explosive movements plyometric training
2. Strength
While U14 players are still developing physically, building strength is important. Work on:
- Stability during dives and jumps – The core strength
- Torso strength for effective and forceful throws and punches
- Muscular strength of the legs for kicking and jumping.
Remember, strength training at this age should focus on bodyweight exercises and proper technique rather than heavy weights.
Mental Skills
1. Concentration
Goalkeepers may go long periods without action, then suddenly need to make a crucial save. U14 goalies should develop:
- The endurance of the players in that they do not get easily distracted during the entire game.
- Tactics to maintain attention when the ball is in the other team’s territory
2. Decision Making
Goalkeepers are usually required to make decisions in a matter of seconds. Practice scenarios that improve:
- When to leave the line for crosses or through balls
- Whether to intercept, strike or deflect a shot
- How to set up the defense during corner kicks
3. Communication
Goalkeepers are the only players who have a vantage point of the entire field and therefore they have to be vocal. Work on:
- Specific, audible directions to the defenders
- Confidence in calling for the ball on crosses
- Positive reinforcement for teammates
Tactical Understanding
U14 goalies should start developing a deeper understanding of the game:
- Identifying various formations and how they impact the role of the goalkeeper
- Knowing when to go as a sweeper-keeper
- Understanding how to use the game clock depending on the circumstances
The Importance of Proper Equipment
While skills are crucial, having the right gear is equally important for goalkeepers:
- Properly fitted goalkeeper gloves for enhanced ball handling
- Padded goalkeeper shorts or pants to protect the legs during dives
- A unique goalkeeper jersey to be easily noticed on the playing field
At Football Shirt Kit, we offer a range of high-quality soccer jerseys and football kits, including specialized goalkeeper gear to help young players perform their best.
Developing These Skills
Improving goalkeeping skills requires dedicated practice:
- Organise periodic training sessions that are dedicated to various aspects of goalkeeping
- Incorporate match-like situations to the training process
- Ask coaches and other goalkeepers for their opinion.
- Observe the professional goalkeepers and attempt to take some of the features of their play into consideration
Remember, becoming a great goalkeeper is a journey. Even professional players continue to work on these skills throughout their careers.
Conclusion
It is not just about saving shots, but being a girls U14 soccer goalie is a lot more than that. It is about being a captain on the football field, a last man standing in a defense line and in most occasions the first line of offense. Thus, by concentrating on these four basic aspects of the game, namely, technical, physical, mental and tactical, young goalkeepers can be produced to ensure that they are competent players.
If you are a young goalkeeper, a coach, or a parent of a young goalkeeper, then you need to understand that it takes time and a lot of practice. Each save, each game, and even each goal that is conceded is a chance to gain experience and to develop.
Have you ever played as a goalkeeper or have you been training young goalkeepers? Please feel free to share your ideas and suggestions in the comment section below!
Here is a list of the best soccer academies in the USA ranked by US Soccer Collective
