Demand for Goalkeepers?

If you had two girls of equal ability in goal and on the field, would you put the taller girl at keeper or center back?

DrSoccer wrote:Looking toward college most coaches prefer 5'10"+ in goal. SMU lists their goalies at 5'11, 5'11, TCU 5'9,5'11, 5'6. Fla State 5'10, 5'11. So if dd is going to be under 5'7 college interest will be slim. And If your dd has skills to play in the field on a top 5 team right now there is no way you put her in the goal. If your plan is to develop her into a top level goalie, and she's going to be 5'10, let her take club/private goalie skills 2 times a week,  and play in the field until u14. Colleges will love her.

That is good advice. Mine is U9 and I had not thought that far in advance but height is going to play a big part of it as she gets older. If mine continues to grow at the pace she is at now she will be 6'5. I swear I buy new pants every 2 or 3 months because she out grows them. Not to mention how often she grows out of soccer cleats! geesh.

soccerdad1969 wrote:If you had two girls of equal ability in goal and on the field, would you put the taller girl at keeper or center back?

Neither, don't we just put all those girls at Forward????

AKeepersMomma wrote:

DrSoccer wrote:Looking toward college most coaches prefer 5'10"+ in goal. SMU lists their goalies at 5'11, 5'11, TCU 5'9,5'11, 5'6. Fla State 5'10, 5'11. So if dd is going to be under 5'7 college interest will be slim. And If your dd has skills to play in the field on a top 5 team right now there is no way you put her in the goal. If your plan is to develop her into a top level goalie, and she's going to be 5'10, let her take club/private goalie skills 2 times a week,  and play in the field until u14. Colleges will love her.

That is good advice. Mine is U9 and I had not thought that far in advance but height is going to play a big part of it as she gets older. If mine continues to grow at the pace she is at now she will be 6'5. I swear I buy new pants every 2 or 3 months because she out grows them. Not to mention how often she grows out of soccer cleats! geesh.

I will agree to disagree big time on this one, being a field player has nothing to do with playing GK at all. Height at the academy level means Zero. Maybe a college will worry about that later, but why would you worry about that now???

orbitzone2000 wrote:

AKeepersMomma wrote:

DrSoccer wrote:Looking toward college most coaches prefer 5'10"+ in goal. SMU lists their goalies at 5'11, 5'11, TCU 5'9,5'11, 5'6. Fla State 5'10, 5'11. So if dd is going to be under 5'7 college interest will be slim. And If your dd has skills to play in the field on a top 5 team right now there is no way you put her in the goal. If your plan is to develop her into a top level goalie, and she's going to be 5'10, let her take club/private goalie skills 2 times a week,  and play in the field until u14. Colleges will love her.

That is good advice. Mine is U9 and I had not thought that far in advance but height is going to play a big part of it as she gets older. If mine continues to grow at the pace she is at now she will be 6'5. I swear I buy new pants every 2 or 3 months because she out grows them. Not to mention how often she grows out of soccer cleats! geesh.

I will agree to disagree big time on this one, being a field player has nothing to do with playing GK at all. Height at the academy level means Zero. Maybe a college will worry about that later, but why would you worry about that now???

So no one would want a GK with excellent foot/ball skills. Interesting...

So no one would want a GK that has played FW, MD, etc... and understands the game, how it flows, what players movements will be on the pitch??

Those are all things that are learned by playing the field and practicing as a field player at the younger ages.

I doubt anyone wants someone that has spent a career striclty between the pipes and no where else.

Hope Solo went to the University of Washington as a Forward and came out a National Team GK...

So get them on the field whenever you can

The Hope Solo analogy is thrown out all too often when this type of question comes up. I believe she is the exception not the norm. I doubt there is any solid evidence that supports this one way or another.
It is all a matter of choice. For the player and coach.

I really wouldn't worry about size either, especially at the academy level. Heck even as they mature unless your DD is 4'11 or something like that and wanting to be a keeper I wouldn't worry too much about it.

I don't think you necessarily have to be a field player to be a good GK, however when you look at the successful GK's that's generally something they all have in common. They played more than one position and then when they hit the age around 12 - 14 they made the switch full time to keeper. It's really all about the mental make up of the kid, if they don't have the fear gene in them then they can probably be a pretty good keeper, I don't care if the start training at age 5 or 18. Specialization at such a young age (unless you are talking about gymnastics or figure skating where the peak age is like 16) is generally not a good thing. It's not something that NTX soccer parents generally like to hear but it's the truth.

Here are a couple of quotes from Joe Cannon about GK and specialization, I'm sure he doesn't have a clue though about what he's talking about:

3. Gk's should be forced to play on the field until about age 14. Of course, this is all relative, but you need to make sure the goalie understands the demands of the field player if he or she is ever going to reach his or her full potential. After this age, club, high school and ODP teams will only keep the goalkeeper in the goal (unless special occasions arise), giving them practically no opportunities to enjoy the game from other positions.

4. Multiple sport athletes are good up to any age. Most coaches would rather take a well-rounded 13-year-old kid and teach him to be a goalkeeper than someone who has only played the position since he or she was 10 years old. This is not always the case, but it is so amazing to me how parents think that the passion of an 11 year-old-girl for goalkeeping will be the same when she is age 16. So many kids get burned out, or simply hit a plateau because they do not find the same enjoyment in the position as they once did. Building a solid athletic base for the first 13-16 years of your life is great for any sport or passion you want to pursue afterwards.


He also goes on to say that if you are going to get them outside training it should only be about once a month. Honestly though, there is no cookie cutter answer to what makes a good GK but when it seems like a majority of the successful ones all do it a certain way then there might be something to that approach. Doesn't mean you can't find someone that came out of the womb with gloves on and never played another position and is now successful, it's just that it doesn't seem like there are that many of them.

Borussia wrote:

orbitzone2000 wrote:

AKeepersMomma wrote:

DrSoccer wrote:Looking toward college most coaches prefer 5'10"+ in goal. SMU lists their goalies at 5'11, 5'11, TCU 5'9,5'11, 5'6. Fla State 5'10, 5'11. So if dd is going to be under 5'7 college interest will be slim. And If your dd has skills to play in the field on a top 5 team right now there is no way you put her in the goal. If your plan is to develop her into a top level goalie, and she's going to be 5'10, let her take club/private goalie skills 2 times a week,  and play in the field until u14. Colleges will love her.

That is good advice. Mine is U9 and I had not thought that far in advance but height is going to play a big part of it as she gets older. If mine continues to grow at the pace she is at now she will be 6'5. I swear I buy new pants every 2 or 3 months because she out grows them. Not to mention how often she grows out of soccer cleats! geesh.

I will agree to disagree big time on this one, being a field player has nothing to do with playing GK at all. Height at the academy level means Zero. Maybe a college will worry about that later, but why would you worry about that now???

So no one would want a GK with excellent foot/ball skills.  Interesting...  

So no one would want a GK that has played FW, MD, etc... and understands the game, how it flows, what players movements will be on the pitch??

Those are all things that are learned by playing the field and practicing as a field player at the younger ages.

I doubt anyone wants someone that has spent a career striclty between the pipes and no where else.

Not saying that at all, just saying isn't that what practice is for. Where do these young kids learn how to play? So your saying nobody wants a full time keeper, they all want a former field player? I wonder how many of the people actually posting on this thread have played GK at a high level?

for those unaware of happenings outside of ntx :
http://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/when-is-the-right-age-to-specialize-as-a-goalkeeper.1682774/

orbitzone2000 wrote:

Borussia wrote:

orbitzone2000 wrote:

AKeepersMomma wrote:

DrSoccer wrote:Looking toward college most coaches prefer 5'10"+ in goal. SMU lists their goalies at 5'11, 5'11, TCU 5'9,5'11, 5'6. Fla State 5'10, 5'11. So if dd is going to be under 5'7 college interest will be slim. And If your dd has skills to play in the field on a top 5 team right now there is no way you put her in the goal. If your plan is to develop her into a top level goalie, and she's going to be 5'10, let her take club/private goalie skills 2 times a week,  and play in the field until u14. Colleges will love her.

That is good advice. Mine is U9 and I had not thought that far in advance but height is going to play a big part of it as she gets older. If mine continues to grow at the pace she is at now she will be 6'5. I swear I buy new pants every 2 or 3 months because she out grows them. Not to mention how often she grows out of soccer cleats! geesh.

I will agree to disagree big time on this one, being a field player has nothing to do with playing GK at all. Height at the academy level means Zero. Maybe a college will worry about that later, but why would you worry about that now???

So no one would want a GK with excellent foot/ball skills.  Interesting...  

So no one would want a GK that has played FW, MD, etc... and understands the game, how it flows, what players movements will be on the pitch??

Those are all things that are learned by playing the field and practicing as a field player at the younger ages.

I doubt anyone wants someone that has spent a career striclty between the pipes and no where else.

Not saying that at all, just saying isn't that what practice is for. Where do these young kids learn how to play? So your saying nobody wants a full time keeper, they all want a former field player? I wonder how many of the people actually posting on this thread have played GK at a high level?

Everyone wants someone that WILL play fulltime GK, but what I am saying is the better ones will HAVE played the field as well. Better understanding of the game, better all round player.

Also we have to talk about level. An ideal college gk prospect will be 5'8+, have good field/foot skills, be quick, and athletic. A D3 LH goalie will get away with a lot less of those qualities.

Hope Solo is arguably the best woman's keeper in this country and one of the best in the world. How many years did she play Goalie before college?
"Solo played soccer with the Three-River's Soccer Club in the Tri-Cities. As a forward at Richland High School, Solo scored 109 goals, leading her team to three consecutive league titles from 1996–1998 and a state championship in her senior year. She was twice named a Parade All American.

[u]At the University of Washington, Solo switched to the goalkeeper position [/u]and was the team's all-time leader in clean-sheets, saves, and goals-against average (GAA). She was a four-time All-Pac 10 selection and a three-time NSCAA All-American."

If you are thinking about your dd playing college soccer you should talk to the older keepers who your dd is doing skills training with (most real goalie coaches train all ages). A parent of a jr or sr will be able to give you the best advice. Or maybe go watch one of the older age group teams in your club play and seek out the parent, (usually in the corner behind the net, or on the sideline nearest the goal)

DrSoccer wrote:If you are thinking about your dd playing college soccer you should talk to the older keepers who your dd is doing skills training with (most real goalie coaches train all ages). A parent of a jr or sr will be able to give you the best advice. Or maybe go watch one of the older age group teams in your club play and seek out the parent, (usually in the corner behind the net, or on the sideline nearest the goal)

Older Keeper Parent Weighing in: My DD has always liked playing in goal and on the field. When she has been the only keeper on a team, she only plays in goal. Some coaches will allow goal and field time if they carry more than one keeper. It absolutely helps to have field skills if you are a keeper. Since they are expected to direct play, it is beneficial to actually be on the field some of the time. Her coach soph/jr year only wanted keeps in goal and field players on the field. She plays co-ed rec soccer and indoor soccer to continue with field touches and to have no pressure fun with soccer. You can play in these leagues and be on a club team. (Yes, she did have to look outside her club team for regular field time.) Right now she is in a great situation, splitting the goal 50:50 with the other keeper and does get some field time with her current coach. If they are fast enough, keepers can make great forwards or at least deal closers since they know exactly where to place the ball with a sneaky little touch. Most keeps don't shank the shot trying to do the big fancy kill shot.

Keeps don't have to run as fast as the field players but a big mistake is when over weight, out of shape players get put in goal. Keeps do need to be good sprinters with quick reaction time. If these keeps want to progress and be in demand, it is critical they become height and weight appropriate, get fit and get into a regular weight training program. While there are some exceptions, look at most of the top keeps. They are fit and height/weight appropriate.

5'8" is not a cut off, but best for coaching notice if this height or more. Most D1 big name keeps are close to 6' and taller. There are notable exceptions and the shorter keeps have a great field presence and look much larger than they are when in goal. Example: Always surprised that the SMU keep who retired last year is pretty small up close and off the field. She has a huge presence in goal. Something that can be cultivated to a point but a keep either has that presentation or not. Shorter keeps need to be very athletic with a big jump. They also can be better at the low ground balls than a very tall keep.

Club keeper training varies or doesn't exist. My DD has gone to club training sessions and has been a private student of one keeper coach since 8th grade. The problem with club sessions is often too many keeps show up or too diverse an age/skills group. My DD even feels most of her private coach's club sessions are not as hard as his private sessions. The private sessions are limited to 1-4 keeps of similar age/ability and work on specific skills needed by the work pod. When my DD was working on coming back from a significant injury, her private coach worked with her 1:1 to help ease her back and to work on getting her mojo back. The mojo issue is critical for any injured player on the mend, but is particularly critical for a keep.

Get training and game video for the coaches. For keeps, a tough training session may be as important for the college coach as watching a game. Post the training video to U-tube. DD had much more coaching traffic and several offers based on her U-tube recruiting videos.

There is no one perfect way or path for every DD or family. In retrospect, there are things we could have done differently, particularly with the way things have changed in just the last 3years. But, for all the bumps and bounces, DD has landed at a college that is a great academic and soccer fit for her. All good in the end, but lots of heartache and nailbitting during the process.

MaggieMaggie wrote:

DrSoccer wrote:If you are thinking about your dd playing college soccer you should talk to the older keepers who your dd is doing skills training with (most real goalie coaches train all ages). A parent of a jr or sr will be able to give you the best advice. Or maybe go watch one of the older age group teams in your club play and seek out the parent, (usually in the corner behind the net, or on the sideline nearest the goal)

Older Keeper Parent Weighing in:  My DD has always liked playing in goal and on the field.  When she has been the only keeper on a team, she only plays in goal.  Some coaches will allow goal and field time if they carry more than one keeper.   It absolutely helps to have field skills if you are a keeper.  Since they are expected to direct play, it is beneficial to actually be on the field some of the time.  Her coach soph/jr year only wanted keeps in goal and field players on the field.  She plays co-ed rec soccer and indoor soccer to continue with field touches and to have no pressure fun with soccer.  You can play in these leagues and be on a club team. (Yes, she did have to look outside her club team for regular field time.) Right now she is in a great situation, splitting the goal 50:50 with the other keeper and does get some field time with her current coach.    If they are fast enough, keepers can make great forwards or at least deal closers since they know exactly where to place the ball with a sneaky little touch.  Most keeps don't shank the shot trying to do the big fancy kill shot.

Keeps don't have to run as fast as the field players but a big mistake is when over weight, out of shape players get put in goal.  Keeps do need to be good sprinters with quick reaction time.  If these keeps want to progress and be in demand, it is critical they become height and weight appropriate, get fit and get into a regular weight training program.  While there are some exceptions, look at most of the top keeps.  They are fit and height/weight appropriate.    

5'8" is not a cut off, but best for coaching notice if this height or more.  Most D1 big name keeps are close to 6' and taller. There are notable exceptions and the shorter keeps have a great field presence and look much larger than they are when in goal.  Example: Always surprised that the SMU keep who retired last year is pretty small up close and off the field.  She has a huge presence in goal.  Something that can be cultivated to a point but a keep either has that presentation or not.  Shorter keeps need to be very athletic with a big jump.  They also can be better at the low ground balls than a very tall keep.    

Club keeper training varies or doesn't exist.  My DD has gone to club training sessions and has been a private student of one keeper coach since 8th grade.    The problem with club sessions is often too many keeps show up or too diverse an age/skills group.   My DD even feels most of her private coach's club sessions are not as hard as his private sessions.   The private sessions are limited to 1-4 keeps of similar age/ability and work on specific skills needed by the work pod.   When my DD was working on coming back from a significant injury, her private coach worked with her 1:1 to help ease her back and to work on getting her mojo back.  The mojo issue is critical for any injured player on the mend, but is particularly critical for a keep.

Get training and game video for the coaches.  For keeps, a tough training session may be as important for the college coach as watching a game.   Post the training video to U-tube.  DD had much more coaching traffic and several offers based on her U-tube recruiting videos.

There is no one perfect way or path for every DD or family.  In retrospect, there are things we  could have done differently, particularly with the way things have changed in just the last 3years.  But, for all the bumps and bounces, DD has landed at a college that is a great academic and soccer fit for her.  All good in the end, but lots of heartache and nailbitting during the process.

Great post!

The very best goal keepers tend to commit to the sport and dedicate themselves to the keeper role at an earlier age but are excellent athletes and generally good any sport they play. My 18 year participated in multiple sports in HS until summer of soph year. Soccer, Basketball, and track & field. Many keeper coaches recommend basketball as a excellent cross training sport.
Common traits of top tier keepers is being physically tough, fearless,thinking fast on their feet, hand/eye coordination, field vision to direct her defenders, ultra competitive,and a defensive minded coach that will pound in the girls heads that his keeper is the on the field coach and they need to follow her direction.Not many coaches will take a keeper to this level but this coach also helped her develop a field voice second to none. The height thing is so over blown that a lot of these keepers including college level athletes are exaggerating their heights up to 2". Not recommended. My daughter is about 5'10" but also has a tremendous vertical. She uses that on corner kicks to pull down balls in mid air. Last but not least is the drive and passion it takes to become an elite athlete and the willingness to sacrifice their personal lives in HS to pursue their dream. 4-6 hours a week practicing with their club teams and at least 1 hour one on one session with a keeper coach each week is common. Club group GK sessions are a waste of time. Keep them in multiple sports through middle school to keep them fresh.Good luck keeper parents.

powerkeep1 wrote:The very best goal keepers tend to commit to the sport and dedicate themselves to the keeper role at an earlier age but are excellent athletes and generally good any sport they play. My 18 year participated in multiple sports in HS until summer of soph year. Soccer, Basketball, and track & field. Many keeper coaches recommend basketball as a excellent cross training sport.
Common traits of top tier keepers is being physically tough, fearless,thinking fast on their feet, hand/eye coordination, field vision to direct her defenders, ultra competitive,and a defensive minded coach that will pound in the girls heads that his keeper is the on the field coach and they need to follow her direction.Not many coaches will take a keeper to this level but this coach also helped her develop a field voice second to none. The height thing is so over blown that a lot of these keepers including college level athletes are exaggerating their heights up to 2". Not recommended. My daughter is about 5'10" but also has a tremendous vertical. She uses that on corner kicks to pull down balls in mid air. Last but not least is the drive and passion it takes to become an elite athlete and the willingness to sacrifice their personal lives in HS to pursue their dream. 4-6 hours a week practicing with their club teams and at least 1 hour one on one session with a keeper coach each week is common. Club group GK sessions are a waste of time. Keep them in multiple sports through middle school to keep them fresh.Good luck keeper parents.

yes yes yes!!