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Face Your Fears – Train the Things You Avoid

We all have parts of training we enjoy.

And we all have parts we’d happily avoid.

The interesting thing is that what we dislike is different for every player.

For one goalkeeper it might be playing out from the back. For another it could be dealing with crosses, diving to one side, using their weaker foot or starting attacks with different types of distribution.

It’s exactly the same for outfield players.

Using your less dominant foot. Heading the ball. Recovery runs. Receiving under pressure. Defending one-to-one. Making a tackle. Playing quickly in tight areas.

Whatever it is, there’s often a reason you don’t enjoy it.

Because you don’t feel completely comfortable doing it.

And that’s exactly why you need to work on it.

Listen to what makes you uncomfortable

Some areas for improvement are obvious.

A coach might tell you that your weaker foot needs work or that your positioning needs improving. You might recognise yourself that there’s a particular technique you haven’t quite mastered.

But I’m more interested in the little things.

The things you quietly avoid.

When there’s a choice in training, which foot do you automatically use?

As a goalkeeper, do you always distribute towards the side that feels most natural?

Do you avoid coming for certain crosses because staying on your line feels safer?

Do you dislike a particular drill because you know it exposes something you’re not particularly good at?

Those little moments matter.

Sometimes discomfort is giving you feedback.

Don't train only what you're good at

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the things you do well.

We all do.

And of course we should continue developing our strengths. Your strengths are part of what makes you the player you are.

But if every training session is spent doing the things you already feel comfortable doing, how much are you really developing?

Improvement happens when we deliberately spend time in areas where we're not comfortable.

That might mean making mistakes.

It might mean looking awkward occasionally.

It might mean getting something wrong several times before finally getting it right.

That's training.

I'd much rather see a goalkeeper make a mistake while trying to develop something new in training than continually avoid it because they're frightened of getting it wrong.

Turn a weakness into something you can trust

You don't necessarily have to turn every weakness into your greatest strength.

That's probably unrealistic.

But you can make it better.

And sometimes that's enough.

If your weaker foot goes from something you actively avoid using to something you're comfortable using when required, you've become a better player.

If you're a goalkeeper who isn't confident dealing with crosses but you work on your starting position, movement, decision making and technique until you can deal with them effectively, you've become a better goalkeeper.

If playing out from the back makes you uncomfortable but you repeatedly practise receiving, scanning and distributing under pressure, eventually that uncomfortable situation starts to feel normal.

That's development.

Uncomfortable → familiar → confident.

Face your fears

So next time you're training, think about the part you least enjoy.

Not the thing you're physically unable to do.

The thing that makes you think:

"I hope we don't do that today."

That's the one.

Don't hide from it.

Ask your coach to help you with it. Practise it. Get it wrong. Try again. Understand why it went wrong and keep working.

You might never make it your greatest strength.

But if you can turn something you once avoided into something you're prepared and confident to do, you've become a more complete goalkeeper or footballer.

Face your fears.

Work on the uncomfortable.

Elevate your game.

Inspire. Develop. Elevate. 🧤⚽

Why Young Goalkeepers Shouldn't Always Play in Goal

If your child is a goalkeeper, surely the best way for them to improve is to spend as much time as possible in goal?

Not necessarily.

For young goalkeepers, particularly under 14, I am a big believer in getting opportunities to play outfield as well as in goal.

That doesn't mean they shouldn't specialise or that they shouldn't love being a goalkeeper. It simply means that playing outfield can develop skills that are becoming increasingly important to the modern goalkeeper — while also helping them become a more rounded footballer.

The goalkeeper is now another footballer

Goalkeeping has changed enormously.

Watch almost any game at a good level and you'll see goalkeepers receiving back passes, moving into supporting positions, playing through a press and being expected to start attacks.

The FA has previously described the goalkeeper as the "eleventh player", highlighting the importance of goalkeepers being comfortable on the ball and involved in retaining and progressing possession. FIFA similarly describes the modern goalkeeper as needing the technical capabilities with their feet to contribute to build-up play.

So, if we're asking young goalkeepers to become footballers with gloves on, it makes sense to give them opportunities to actually play football without the gloves on too.

More touches and more decisions

One of the biggest advantages of playing outfield is simply being involved in different situations.

A goalkeeper might go several minutes without touching the ball. Put that same player into midfield in a small-sided game and suddenly they're receiving it repeatedly.

They're having to:

check their shoulder before receiving
find space
control the ball under pressure
decide whether to play forwards, sideways or backwards
use both feet
understand passing angles
support the player in possession
recognise when and where pressure is coming from.

Those experiences transfer directly back into goal.

Receiving a back pass with a striker closing you down feels very different when you've experienced being the player doing the pressing — or the defender desperately looking for an option behind them.

You begin to understand the game from somebody else's perspective.

Better feet — but not just better kicking

The obvious benefit is improved distribution.

More time with the ball at their feet should improve first touch, passing, receiving and confidence on both sides.

But there's another benefit that sometimes gets overlooked.

Playing outfield involves constantly adjusting your feet and body position. You're accelerating, decelerating, turning, changing direction, protecting the ball and reacting to opponents.

That develops balance, coordination, agility and footwork.

Those are all qualities we spend a huge amount of time trying to develop in goalkeepers anyway.

Game awareness

This might be the biggest benefit of all.

Goalkeepers have the best view of the pitch, but having the best view doesn't automatically mean you understand everything you're looking at.

Playing different positions helps young keepers understand what their teammates need.

Play centre-back and you begin to appreciate where you want your goalkeeper to position themselves when you have possession.

Play midfield and you understand the importance of receiving angles and recognising pressure.

Play up front and you start recognising what makes a goalkeeper's positioning difficult for an attacker.

All of that information eventually comes back into the goalkeeper's game.

The FA makes a similar point in its goalkeeper development material, encouraging keepers to work alongside outfield players so that their game understanding and relationships with teammates develop together rather than the goalkeeper always working in isolation.

There's a physical benefit too

Goalkeeping is physically demanding, but it's a different type of physical demand.

Playing outfield gives young keepers more opportunities for sustained movement, repeated changes of direction and different types of running.

For developing players, that's another useful way of building general football fitness and athleticism without everything having to become a specific conditioning session.

They're just playing football.

And that's important — particularly at 8, 9, 10 or 11 years old.

Five-a-side is brilliant for older keepers

As goalkeepers get older and become more established in the position, finding opportunities to play minutes outfield can understandably become more difficult.

That's where five-a-side can be fantastic.

Small pitches, lots of touches, limited time on the ball and constant pressure mean players have to think and act quickly.

FIFA's training material similarly highlights how reduced playing areas increase involvement and require players to think quickly and take up intelligent positions.

So even if a 13 or 14-year-old is very much a goalkeeper, I'd still encourage them to play five-a-side or occasionally get involved outfield.

Keep your hand in — or perhaps more appropriately, keep your feet in!

Keeping options open

There is another reason I think this is important and it's one we probably don't talk about enough.

Youth football changes quickly.

A goalkeeper might be the clear number one at 9, 10 or 11 and find themselves competing with another very good goalkeeper a few years later.

Physical development plays a part too. Goalkeepers grow at different rates and, rightly or wrongly, attributes such as height can become factors in selection as players progress through age groups.

You can also have two excellent goalkeepers competing for one position.

Sometimes the difference between being selected and not being selected isn't that one goalkeeper isn't good enough. It can simply be that somebody else is marginally better at that particular moment.

It would be a real shame if a young person who had spent years loving football suddenly felt there was no place for them in the game simply because they weren't currently the first-choice goalkeeper.

A goalkeeper who has continued developing as a footballer has options.

They can play outfield. They can enjoy five-a-side. They can represent another team. They can even discover that they love playing another position just as much.

Most importantly, they stay in football.

Goalkeeper development doesn't have to happen only in goal

I'm obviously a huge advocate of specialist goalkeeper coaching. There are techniques, movements, decisions and situations that need dedicated work.

But specialist goalkeeper coaching should complement a young player's football development rather than replace it.

The FA has long encouraged goalkeepers to be integrated with the rest of the team whenever possible and FIFA's analysis of the modern game increasingly shows just how important the goalkeeper has become when a team has possession.

So my advice to young goalkeepers and their parents is pretty simple:

Love being a goalkeeper. Work hard at being a goalkeeper. But don't be in too much of a hurry to stop being a footballer.

Play outfield occasionally. Play five-a-side. Get touches of the ball. Learn different positions. Run around, compete, make mistakes and see the game from different perspectives.

Because all of those experiences might just help you become a better goalkeeper.

And, just as importantly, they'll help make sure that whatever happens further down the line, there's always a place for you in football.

Supporting Your Young Goalkeeper – A Parent’s Guide

1. Understanding the Pressure

Playing in goal is unlike any other position on the pitch. Outfield players can make mistakes that go unnoticed, but for goalkeepers, even a small error can lead to a goal – and that can feel crushing for a young player.
They know the eyes of the crowd, teammates, and coaches are often on them, and this spotlight can create added pressure. For young goalkeepers still developing their skills and emotional resilience, learning how to handle these moments is as important as their diving saves.

2. How Mistakes Affect Young Goalkeepers

Mistakes in goal can lead to:

Self-doubt ("I’ve let everyone down.")
Loss of concentration
Overthinking future plays
Reluctance to make decisions for fear of another error

As a parent, you can help them reframe mistakes as part of learning, not as a reflection of their worth or ability.

3. Supporting Your Child in the Moment

Keep Your Body Language Neutral – Avoid big gestures of disappointment from the sidelines. Reassure that it is not the end of the world.
Focus on Encouragement – Short, positive messages (“Keep going!” / “Next one!”) help them stay present.

4. Reset Strategies for Young Goalkeepers

Here are some ways they can mentally reset should a situation arise:

During the Game

The 3-Breath Rule

- After a mistake, take three slow, deep breaths.
- On the final exhale, imagine the error drifting away.

Physical Reset

- Adjust gloves, socks, or shirt – this small action signals a ‘restart’ to the brain.
- Splash your face with water from your water bottle - trust me this really works!!

Focus on the Next Task

- Pick one simple goal (“Stay on my toes”, “Watch the ball”) to bring attention back to the present.

After the Game

Review, Don’t Relive

- Discuss what happened once emotions have settled, allow your player to identify and reflect on what actions were correct as well as those they would do differently next time.

Highlight Positives

- End any reflection with something they did well – balance builds confidence.
- Tell them what made you proud - their bravery for continuing, their determination - these are skills and attributes far more valuable in life.

The Role of Patience

Goalkeeping is a specialist skill that matures with age, experience, and mental strength. Mistakes are stepping stones, not roadblocks. With the right support, your child can grow into a confident, resilient player who bounces back quickly.

💬 Remember: The loudest voice they’ll remember after a game is yours. Make it the one that lifts them up.

There are so many gloves out there - how do I choose?

When your child starts showing a real interest in goalkeeping, one of the first questions most parents ask is “what gloves should I buy?” With endless options, technical terms, and price points, it can feel daunting. Don’t worry — here’s a simple, parent-friendly guide to help you make the right choice based on your child’s age, ability and needs.

Why Gloves Matter

Goalkeeper gloves are not just for show. They protect young hands, build confidence, and help catch and control the ball. A good pair promotes good habits – especially around handling technique and grip strength.

Key Things to Look For

1. The Right Size

Always start with fit. Gloves that are too big make it harder to catch cleanly and develop good technique.
As a rule of thumb, you should be able to fit a thumbnail’s width of space at the top of each finger.
Most brands have size guides, so measure your child’s hand first.

2. Grip (Palm Material)

Soft latex gives excellent grip but wears faster (ideal for matches).
Durable training latex lasts longer and is better suited to training on harder playing surfaces like astro or concrete.
For young beginners, opt for durable grip over premium match latex.

3. Cut Style

This refers to how the glove is stitched and how it fits around the fingers:

Style - Flat Cut - ? -Traditional, slightly looser - Best for - Young beginners

Style - Roll Finger- ? - More surface area on the ball - Best for - Intermediate keepers

Style - Negative Cut - ? - Snug fit like a second skin - Best for - Advanced / confident players

4. Wrist Support

Look for a wraparound wrist strap — it gives extra support and helps your child feel secure when catching and diving.
Avoid “slip in” gloves for young players – they’re fine for pros but tend to feel loose on young goalkeepers.
Finger spines - I'm not a fan

5. Price vs Purpose

Many parents assume the most expensive glove is the best. In truth:

£20–£30: Ideal for young beginners or general school/grassroots football.
£30–£50: Better grip and comfort; great for regular training and matches.
£50+: High-end match gloves – usually only needed once your child is playing at academy or performance level.

Comfort is so important and in training less "grippy" gloves can also improve catching

Match Glove vs Training Glove

If your child trains regularly, consider buying two pairs:

Training Gloves -Use- Weekly training sessions- Benefit-Longer-lasting materials

Match Gloves -Use -Game days- Benefit -Softer latex - better grip

This helps extend glove life and means they always have a “clean” pair ready for match day.

What do I buy?

I have tried many brands and fits over the years and have a couple that seem to suit me. I regularly look at the vendor's website or supplier stores like

www.prodirectsoccer.co.uk

www.just-keepers.com

www.theoneglove.com

or Sports direct

Every bow and again they will have discounts, multi discounts or offers on the brands I like and I buy in advance

Helpful Extras

Glove wash – keeps latex fresh and improves grip
Glove bag – helps them dry properly and stops them going mouldy in the kit bag!
Tip: Never dry gloves on a radiator — it ruins the latex.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right goalkeeper gloves is less about buying the most expensive pair and more about finding something comfortable, practical and appropriate for your child’s stage of development. The best glove is one that fits well, gives them confidence to catch the ball, and allows them to enjoy the unique challenges of playing in goal.

A session for coaches - Including Goalkeepers in Outfield Sessions

For many years, goalkeepers were seen as “different” to the rest of the team – the player who just needed to stop shots while the others played football. But the modern game has changed. Today, a goalkeeper’s ability with the ball at their feet is just as important as their shot-stopping. In fact, for many teams, the goalkeeper is the first attacker – the one who sets the tempo of play and builds confidence in possession.

At grassroots level, too often keepers are left to one side during team training, working alone or waiting until shooting drills. By including your goalkeeper in your outfield sessions, you not only improve their game, but also help your team play as one unit.

Why Outfield Involvement Matters

Distribution is Key – Goalkeepers now need to pass accurately under pressure, pick the right option, and even break lines with a well-timed ball. "Distribution" can mean a short 2 yard pass just to retain possession as well a floated ball launched down the wing.
Confidence Under Pressure – Exposure to possession games helps keepers learn to stay calm when pressed, rather than panicking into long clearances.
Understanding Team Play – When goalkeepers train as outfield players, they see the game from a different angle. This builds their awareness of movement, timing, and options – vital when they are involved in building play from the back.
Fitness and Engagement – Joining in keeps sessions fresh and enjoyable, while developing footwork, agility, and speed of play.

Example Session: Possession with Purpose

Setup:

Area: 25m x 20m grid (adjust size to age/ability).
Players: 8 outfield + 1 goalkeeper (play 5v4 including GK).
Equipment: Balls, cones, bibs.

How it Works:

Split into two teams, one with a numerical advantage (5v4).
The goalkeeper plays on the stronger team but must remain inside the area as a neutral pivot.
The goalkeeper can receive the ball under pressure, pass back to reset, or switch play.
Teams aim to make 5 passes = 1 point.

If the sequence includes the goalkeeper - 2 points

Rotate the goalkeeper after a few minutes if you want all keepers involved. or if you have 2 keepers set up as a game with scoring restricted until 5 passes with the keeper have occurred - **sequence not starting with the keeper

Progressions:

Limit touches (2-touch maximum).
Add mini goals at each end: after 5 passes, team can score by finding a target goal.
Allow the goalkeeper to move freely as an outfield player, encouraging mobility and scanning.

Coaching Points:

Goalkeeper body shape when receiving – open up to see the field.
Encourage first touch into space.
Decision-making: when to recycle vs when to play forward.
Communication with defenders – organising play as well as participating, offering to receive the ball.

Final Thought

A goalkeeper who is comfortable on the ball gives the whole team confidence. By integrating your keeper into possession-based activities, you develop a player who can contribute beyond the penalty area. In today’s game, being “just a shot-stopper” is not enough – and grassroots coaches have a huge role to play in developing the next generation of modern goalkeepers.

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