Amazing reflexes don’t always reflect a goalkeeper's talent

Several years ago, while watching an under-14s match, I witnessed perhaps the greatest 45 minutes of goalkeeping I had ever seen in that age group – only for it to all come crashing down in the second half.

The young goalkeeper in question seemed to have been a cat in a former life.

Scrambling across his goal line like a feline on a hot tin roof, pawing balls away that looked certain goals and snarling in the opposition’s face like a cat ready to battle.

His team were leading 1-0 after a string of outstanding saves, only for their cat-like goalie to let a first-half injury time shot trickle through his legs.

This cat’s nine lives were unfortunately up, though, as the goalkeeper lost his confidence which reverberated throughout the side and they crashed to a 5-1 defeat.

It became a regular occurrence throughout this season and the once promising gloveman who had all the physical attributes just couldn’t get the mental side of goalkeeping down pat.

There are general aspects of a young goalkeeper’s game that are mandatory, but there are also certain attributes that clubs will particularly target.

Mandatory requirements would be things like shot-stopping ability, fitness levels and physicality (strong and tall) – these can be particular harsh for any young goalkeeper, as boys can still be growing in height until they’re 18.

A modern-day goalkeeper is often used to start attacks and teams will highly seek:

•Exceptional speed and agility
•Excellent control, and confidence, with the ball at feet (especially when under pressure)
•The ability to produce highly accurate passes and long balls
•Anticipation of the ball and the ability to consistently produce well-timed challenges

It is a very lonely place being a goalkeeper, as it’s the most cerebral position on the pitch – if you want to succeed, you need confidence and leadership abilities.

Confidence and leadership will come more naturally to some than others, but a young goalkeeper must be in charge of their box, both verbally and physically.

This means giving clear instructions for all types of situations (set pieces, clearances, marking spare players etc.), as well as having the confidence to claim the ball in dangerous situations.

If the keeper is able to master these two traits, they become an extension of the coach on the field and can easily marshal the defence and instil an unbeatable mindset throughout the team.

A goalkeeper can have all the above-mentioned traits but if they consistently make poor decisions on the pitch, then it negates every other skill they have.

Being that they are the last line of defence, a keeper must be able to read the game and make the right decision – failure to do any of the below can produce catastrophic results.

•Collecting or punching crosses/corners
•Choosing the appropriate technique for a save (hands or feet)
•Choosing the appropriate distribution method for different stages of the game (e.g. reducing pressure, or launching an attack)
•Claiming or clearing loose balls on the edge of the penalty area

While as a footballing nation Australia is struggling to produce talented players in several key positions, goalkeepers are not one of them.

South Australia in particular is proving to be an excellent developmental and finishing school for young up-and-coming goalkeepers.

Interstate goalies like James Delianov, Mark Birighitti, and Cameroon Cook came to hone their craft, while the likes of Paul Izzo, Daniel Margush, Joe Gauci, Steven Hall and Ethan Cox have come through the local system.

Cox is yet to play in the A-League due to a combination of injuries and players in front of him, however if he keeps on pulling off world class saves like this in the SA NPL, its only a matter of time.

For any young goalkeeper to make it, it is crucial they learn the mental side of the position – being able to recover mentally from a mistake is just as important as making a save.