Football is in a constant state of evolution. New styles of play. New formations. New tactics, ideas, innovations. Even new roles and positions are sometimes introduced, like full-backs who double-up as wingers or centre-backs or roam into defensive midfield.
It’s that evolution that makes the game so exciting from a tactical point of view. Fans are always waiting to see what comes next, what surprising ideas coaches might devise. For players, too, it can be intriguing to learn new ways of playing the game – and not just outfield players.
Goalkeepers have also seen their roles change an awful lot in recent times. This guide will take look at some of those changes and explore how they might affect the development of aspiring young keepers.
The Changing Face of Goalkeeping
If you have the time, go back and watch some clips of Premier League goalies from 20 or 30 years ago. Then watch some modern-day Premier League football, with keepers like Ederson, Alisson, Emi Martinez, and Nick Pope. The differences are striking, and it’s incredible to see just how much more involved in the game modern goalies tend to be.
Back in the nineties, keepers almost never left their area. They’d stick rigidly to the penalty box, relying on defenders to marshal forwards and cut out loose balls. These days, it’s not uncommon to see keepers several yards out of their area. They regularly rush out to close down opposing players. They kick-start attacking moves. They even get the odd assist.
In short, the role of the keeper has expanded enormously. In the past, playing between the sticks was purely about stopping shots and guarding the net. Apart from that, and booting the ball as far up the field as they could, goalies weren’t relied on for much else. Now, they’re expected to dictate the build-up play, read the game, sweep up, break defensive lines with their passes, and so much more.
Sweeping
The concept of the sweeper-keeper isn’t exactly a recent innovation. There are examples of sweeper-keepers going back as far as the 1950s. However, it took several decades for the concept to truly catch on. Nowadays, many of the best keepers in the game are more than comfortable at playing the sweeper role. Lots of top teams also rely on sweeper keepers to snuff out danger.
Sweeper-keepers have to be great readers of the game. They need to concentrate for the full 90 minutes, always ready to respond to dangerous situations. Their role is almost a hybrid of a keeper and a defender. When balls dissect the defensive line, the sweeper-keeper has to be ready to run out, claim the ball, and get play going again.
They also have to be capable of spotting dangerous situations and knowing when to come out of their box and when to sit back. For example, if an opposing forward seems ready to beat the offside trap and make a run on goal, a sweeper-keeper will need to anticipate that. They may even have to run out and tackle the opposing player to prevent a more dangerous one-on-one situation.
Ball-playing
If you keep up with football news, you’ll have most likely noticed how the phrase “ball-playing goalkeeper” seems to come up quite often. So many teams seem to be looking for ball-playing keepers now, and it’s not hard to see why. You only have to look at the impact of Ederson at Manchester City to see how this kind of keeper can improve a side.
As the name suggests, ball-playing keepers have to be able to play the ball. They’ll often try to keep the ball at their feet, rather than picking it up and rolling or throwing it out. This allows them to play more precise passes, through balls, or long balls over the top to help their side. They also use dribbling skills to advance the play or stop an opposing forward from stealing the ball from them.
Naturally, such keepers are defined by their passing ability. Whether it’s short or long passes, ball-playing keepers tend to have high success rates. They’re able to place the ball exactly where they want it, much more often than not. It’s a stark contrast to the keepers of yesteryear who simply kicked the ball as hard as they could and hoped for the best.
Playmaking
There are even goalkeepers today who are regarded as playmakers for their sides. An idea that would have seemed absurd just a couple of decades ago. After all, when you think of a traditional playmaker, you tend to think of attacking midfielders. They’re usually quite far up the pitch, in the perfect position to feed strikers and make things happen.
However, some of today’s leading keepers are also capable of playing dangerous long passes and creating chances for the forwards. They may not rack up huge numbers of assists, but they often instigate attacking movements by making positive, forward-thinking passes. This is, once again, so different from keepers of the past.
The big skills for modern keepers include passing, of course, but also the ability to read the game. They have to be hugely concentrated, tracking player movements and keeping an eye on their forwards. If one of their strikers makes a move, they have to be ready to track it and make the crucial pass, all in a fraction of a second.
Summing Up: Broaden Your Skillset to Future-Proof Your Keeping Career
One thing is clear. Today’s keepers need to be much more well-rounded than those of the past. Of course, reflexes, diving, and shot-stopping are still hugely important. But you need more than that to truly be a great keeper nowadays. You have to feel comfortable with the ball at your feet. You have to be capable of playing precise passes, reading the game, and anticipating danger.
If you’re an aspiring young keeper eager to succeed, make sure to work on a wide range of skills. Build up the fundamentals, like stopping shots and claiming crosses, but also try more varied training drills and exercises to improve other areas. Work on your passing, train your outfield abilities, and watch the best keepers regularly to see how it’s done.