Communication. It’s an essential part of being a good goalkeeper. Of course, some keepers are louder than others, but all need to be vocal to a certain extent. You have to call out to your teammates, organise your defence, and demonstrate leadership like a captain – even if you don’t always wear the armband.
Fortunately, even if you’re not a naturally vocal person, there are plenty of ways to build up this skill. What’s more, you don’t necessarily need to do tons of talking on the pitch. By mastering a small selection of shouts, you’ll be able to manage your defenders and make sure your voice is heard using only a few words.
This guide will look at some of the most important keeper commands , as well as tips on when to use them.
Keeper
The classic go-to shout of every goalie, up and down the land. This one is used to let everyone know that the keeper is coming to either catch, claim, or clear the ball. In other words, it tells all of your teammates to get out of the way.
Use this one when you’re confident of getting the ball, especially from a corner or cross. Additionally, try to read the situation and decide whether or not you need to claim the ball, or if one of your defenders is better placed to deal with it. If you make the shout, be sure to commit to it and do everything you can to get to the ball.
Away
Another commonly-used shout, “away” is basically the opposite of “keeper.” It tells your teammates that you’re not going to get to the ball, so they need to clear it for you. Use this one if you feel under pressure or are being blocked by an opposing player, especially at a corner or when the ball is bouncing around in the box.
Push Up
Goalkeepers tend to be great observers of the game. When the ball isn’t at your feet and your goal isn’t under any immediate threat, you’re free to essentially spectate over the game. You can check on the positions of the players and monitor the flow of pressure one way or another. That’s where the “push up” or “step up” shout comes in handy.
This one is used to tell your defenders to move further up field. There are several ways to use it. You could use it to trap opposing strikers offside, for example, and reduce the risk of a long ball over the top. More often than not, it’s a good shout to use when you feel that your team is applying a lot of pressure and you want to capitalise on it, sending your defenders forward to push the opposition back.
Drop
“Drop” is more or less the opposite of “push up.” This one is used to bring your defenders back, closer to you and the goal. It’s helpful when you feel under pressure and want more of your players in and around the box to block shots and guard against threats. However, be careful, as drawing your defenders too deep may invite more pressure than you can handle.
Back
“Back” or “home” is basically a goalie’s way of saying “I’m open, you can pass to me.” It’s helpful if one of your defenders is in possession and coming under pressure. They might not have any available passes around them, so you can call “back” to let them know that you’re ready to receive the ball.
Man On
“Man on” is your way of letting one of your teammates – usually defenders – know about opposing players close to them. It’s often linked with other shouts, like “right” or “left” or even “right shoulder” or “left shoulder” to let your teammate know which side of them the opponent is situated. This one is useful when your defenders are under pressure and aren’t necessarily aware of an approaching threat.
Wall Shouts
Goalies definitely need to be vocal before a direct free kick is taken. It’s up to you to decide if you want a wall, where it needs to be, and how wide it should be. To keep it concise and clear, many goalies simply say “Wall. X number of players.” You may also want to call teammates by name to get them in wall, and then use “left” or “right” shouts to position it.
Set Piece Shouts
At other set pieces, like corners and indirect free kicks, you can use various other shouts to organise your teammates. Examples include “back post” or “front post” to let players know where they need to stand, or “mark nine” for example, if you want a specific player (shirt number nine) to be marked.
Encouragement Shouts
These shouts aren’t necessary, but many keepers like to encourage their teammates during a game. Phrases like “good job” or “keep it up” may seem simple, but might be just what a player needs to hear to stay focused for the last crucial minutes of a match. These shouts may be particularly helpful in situations after a defender has made a mistake and needs a bit of encouragement.
Critical Shouts
Of course, there may also be times when you notice one of your defenders slacking off or being a little lackadaisical in their play. At that point, you may want to throw out a more critical shout, like “focus,” “stay alert,” or “wake up.” It’s important to avoid being overly negative towards your teammates, but there may be moments where you simply have to provide criticism.
Use These Shouts to Perfect Your Communication
In the majority of games, these shouts are all you’ll need to communicate with your defenders and manage a game. Each one has its ideal context and best-use scenario. As you play and practice together more, you’ll figure out the perfect times to use them all. It might seem tricky at first, especially if you’re not the most vocal of keepers, but the more you shout, the easier it should become.