Goalkeeper Communication and Commands
Goalkeepers are commanded to command, but the specifics of what they should communicate, and when, is a subject of great debate. What the coach and goalkeeper need to understand is that the keeper’s commands should be purposeful and not a distraction. The big problem is that coaches demand that goalkeepers talk to excess, but they don't teach the specifics of when and what to say. Read the resource below, or click here to access our philosophy on the commands and communication of a goalkeeper.
Goalkeepers are commanded to command, but the specifics of what they should communicate, and when, is a subject of great debate. What the coach and goalkeeper need to understand is that the keeper’s commands should be purposeful and not a distraction. The big problem is that coaches demand that goalkeepers talk to excess, but they don't teach the specifics of when and what to say. Read the resource below, or click here to access our philosophy on the commands and communication of a goalkeeper.
What is critical to teach is that THERE ARE THREE SPECIFIC TIMES WHEN A GOALKEEPER MUST SPEAK WITHOUT EXCEPTION. All other times are subject to specific conditions. Below you will find specifics in communication within those three areas that should be implemented and practiced like any physical and technical aspect of goalkeeping.
1 - WHEN ANY BALL COMES INTO THE 18 YARD BOX
Whether the balls rolls into the 18 yard box and there isn't another soul within 80 yards of the ball, the keeper still needs to say one of these two commands. No matter how obvious, silence is unacceptable. Here are commands when a ball comes into the defending 18 yard box. These commands should be repeated loudly until teammates understand them.
1. Keeper – to let everybody know that he is going for the ball.
2. Away – to encourage players to clear the ball immediately.
2 - WHEN A DEFENDER/TEAMMATE HAS THE BALL
These commands that are mandatory for when the keeper is passing the ball to a teammate or a teammate has the ball within 40 yards of the defending 18 yard box. These commands should be repeated loudly until the player understands them.
1. Time – to tell the player that he has time to work with the ball.
2. Man On – to tell the player that he has opponent attacking him.
3. Turn – to tell the player that he can turn with the ball.
The commands that is mandatory for when the keeper has received the ball. These commands should be repeated loudly until the players understand them.
1. Open Up – to encourage players to go to empty space and demand the ball.
2. Move Up – to let the team know that the keeper will be sending the ball up field and to prepare to receive.
The commands that are mandatory when the ball is sent out of the immediate defensive area and the goalkeeper is organizing his defense. These commands should be followed to a specific area (i.e. “Up to the 18!” “Up to half field!”).
1. Step up/ UP – to push the defense line forward in order to provide support to the midfielders when we have the ball and close the space and increase the pressure when the other team has the ball.
The commands that are mandatory when the ball is approaching the immediate defensive area and the goalkeeper is organizing his defense. These commands should be followed to a specific area (i.e. “Hold at the 18!”). When communicating to a specific player, this should be done by always saying the defenders name and the number of the player to be marked or the specific area to be covered (i.e. “John, mark up #7!” or “John, cover the middle”).
1. Tuck In/Slide In – to help a defender close the empty space, provide support to other defenders, and keep the team shape.
2. Mark Up – to encourage players to mark an opponent. When communicating to a specific player, this should be done by always saying the defenders name and the number of the player to be marked or the specific area to be covered (i.e. “John, mark up #7” or “John, cover the middle”).
3. Goal Side – to help defender choose the right defensive position and stay between the goal and the opponent at all times.
4. Drop In – to encourage players to drop in and take defensive position.
5. Man to Man – to remind players to mark and stay closer to their man.
6. Shape Up – to encourage players to get to their position and maintain the team’s shape.
7. Pass Him On – to encourage players to exchange their marks instead of following them around the field.
These commands are important, but are not as important as those above. They should be instructed ONCE the keepers are showing complete use of the above commands.
8. First Ball – to encourage players to challenge the ball and get it before their opponents.
9. Second Ball – to encourage players to fight for loose balls.
10. Near Post – to encourage players to cover the first post (the post closer to the ball)
11. Far Post – to encourage players to cover the second post (the post farther from the ball)
12. Left/Right – to encourage players to move to the desired position.
1 - WHEN ANY BALL COMES INTO THE 18 YARD BOX
Whether the balls rolls into the 18 yard box and there isn't another soul within 80 yards of the ball, the keeper still needs to say one of these two commands. No matter how obvious, silence is unacceptable. Here are commands when a ball comes into the defending 18 yard box. These commands should be repeated loudly until teammates understand them.
1. Keeper – to let everybody know that he is going for the ball.
2. Away – to encourage players to clear the ball immediately.
2 - WHEN A DEFENDER/TEAMMATE HAS THE BALL
These commands that are mandatory for when the keeper is passing the ball to a teammate or a teammate has the ball within 40 yards of the defending 18 yard box. These commands should be repeated loudly until the player understands them.
1. Time – to tell the player that he has time to work with the ball.
2. Man On – to tell the player that he has opponent attacking him.
3. Turn – to tell the player that he can turn with the ball.
The commands that is mandatory for when the keeper has received the ball. These commands should be repeated loudly until the players understand them.
1. Open Up – to encourage players to go to empty space and demand the ball.
2. Move Up – to let the team know that the keeper will be sending the ball up field and to prepare to receive.
The commands that are mandatory when the ball is sent out of the immediate defensive area and the goalkeeper is organizing his defense. These commands should be followed to a specific area (i.e. “Up to the 18!” “Up to half field!”).
1. Step up/ UP – to push the defense line forward in order to provide support to the midfielders when we have the ball and close the space and increase the pressure when the other team has the ball.
The commands that are mandatory when the ball is approaching the immediate defensive area and the goalkeeper is organizing his defense. These commands should be followed to a specific area (i.e. “Hold at the 18!”). When communicating to a specific player, this should be done by always saying the defenders name and the number of the player to be marked or the specific area to be covered (i.e. “John, mark up #7!” or “John, cover the middle”).
1. Tuck In/Slide In – to help a defender close the empty space, provide support to other defenders, and keep the team shape.
2. Mark Up – to encourage players to mark an opponent. When communicating to a specific player, this should be done by always saying the defenders name and the number of the player to be marked or the specific area to be covered (i.e. “John, mark up #7” or “John, cover the middle”).
3. Goal Side – to help defender choose the right defensive position and stay between the goal and the opponent at all times.
4. Drop In – to encourage players to drop in and take defensive position.
5. Man to Man – to remind players to mark and stay closer to their man.
6. Shape Up – to encourage players to get to their position and maintain the team’s shape.
7. Pass Him On – to encourage players to exchange their marks instead of following them around the field.
These commands are important, but are not as important as those above. They should be instructed ONCE the keepers are showing complete use of the above commands.
8. First Ball – to encourage players to challenge the ball and get it before their opponents.
9. Second Ball – to encourage players to fight for loose balls.
10. Near Post – to encourage players to cover the first post (the post closer to the ball)
11. Far Post – to encourage players to cover the second post (the post farther from the ball)
12. Left/Right – to encourage players to move to the desired position.
