In earlier days goalkeeping was not a specialize position, but now things have changed, goalkeeping has become specialized position and goalkeepers are equally important. You can take the recent example of Liverpool’s Goalkeeper Allison Becker; he scored last minute goal from the corner and helped Liverpool to qualify for the next year Champion’s League.

Let’s see what our experts Mr. Rajat Guha and Mr. Kunal Sawant have to say about it. How Football and Goalkeeping has changed now and then?

Kunal: Earlier Goalkeeper used to be only shot stopping, now things have changed, goalkeepers need to be good with their feet and play as sweeper keeper. In earlier days, goalkeepers were not involved much in main sessions. But now goalkeeper's coaches are giving importance to goalkeeping training which is the best part now.

Rajat: Now we can see Football is evolving, earlier in 90’s specifically we used to play long ball like English football. But the 2010 Barcelona’s Tiki-Taka football got famous and after Spain winning the World Cup, coaches are preferring more on ball positions. You need to use your goalkeeper, because goalkeeper will always give you advantage of one added man.

If we go to the data of 90’s Football, you will get to know goalkeeper contribution was hardly 30%- 40%, and rest of the time they were like dealing with crosses, shot stopping or dealing with anticipating through balls. And now if you see the data of 2014 & 2018 World Cup women’s and men’s both, data changed drastically. Now goalkeepers are getting involved in distribution both - with hands and feet almost like 73%. So, you can imagine distribution increased from 40% to 73%.

One more thing has changed, now-a-days either you play possession game or high pressing game; and if you play high pressing game then goalkeeper need to play as sweeper keeper, when your defense line is playing so high almost over the half line, then goalkeeper need to play advance to cover the difference between defender and goalkeeper and when goalkeeper comes out of penalty box he must be very good with feet so with technical point of view we as coach emphasis more on tactical and also on decision making. If goalkeeper’s decision making is good then it helps him in keeping ball possession for Whom/Where/When & How to pass.

Now-a-days goalkeeper role is sweeper keeper and they are the first man of attack and last man of defense

Q. How important it is for the goalkeeper to handle the psychological pressure after conceding goal?

Kunal : Goalkeeping was thankless job before, but now things are different. Goalkeeping coach should know how to take care of goalkeepers and he / she has to look after them, I feel that way, because my goalkeeping coaches used to do this for me. It always helped me to minimize my stress, before, during and after matches.

Rajat : Agree to Kunal. Earlier days, it used to happen. How many goals you are saving for the team was not much appreciated, but if he concedes a silly goal then all blame used to come on goalkeeper.

Why all this was happening because coach education was not introduced in India. Now coach education is playing important role in Indian Football. Because of coach education now goalkeeper coaches give more importance to psychological part. Goalkeeper need to be strong psychologically and physically, they just can’t keep thinking about the mistake they have made in first 2-3 minutes for rest of the game. The lack of concentration can cause more and more mistakes.

Goalkeepers have to deal with the pressure of position. They should be able to handle the pressure of their mistakes, failures and audience blame. To handle all these situations, they have to be mentally strong. To make goalkeepers mentally strong, goalkeeper coach plays important role. Coach should always motivate the goalkeeper, if he has done any mistake in first half then coach should not discuss about this in half time, he should encourage him for rest of the game so he can perform well in remaining time. Coach education teaches Goalkeeping coaches how to work with goalkeeper's part.

Q. What different types of weight training goalkeeper should do?

Kunal : Emphasize on power training, goalkeeper should work on core muscles, their agility and mobility, because goalkeeper reflexes play very important part in goalkeeping.

Rajat : Goalkeepers or goalkeeper coaches should know on what part they need to work and which muscles is important to work on. If goalkeeper kicking is poor then they need to work on hamstring and quadriceps muscle. Or if his / her wrist and shoulder strength is poor then goalkeeper need to work on that particular muscle. If goalkeepers do weight training like outfield players, there are chances of goalkeepers becoming little slow. Goalkeepers don’t need bulk strength; it should be more power training like explosive power because whatever actions goalkeepers are doing it should be with explosive power. Goalkeepers should also work on their fingers, wrist and shoulder strength and on their glute muscles as well.

Q. What type of preparations Goalkeeper should do before going for a match or training?

Kunal : Goalkeeper should be always ready whether they are first choice keeper or a second choice. They never know when they will get a chance. Goalkeepers need more concentration and they should apply the thing what they have been training.

Rajat : To play; having a dream and having passion is very important without that you cannot achieve that level. Now in techno friendly world kids watch you tube videos they see the players training, but they don’t understand how much sacrifice player needs to do in terms of diet, sleep, rest and it is important how you manage your social life as well, if you want to become a professional player. Talent will push you to the certain level but after that your hard work, commitment, discipline and sacrifice will take you further.

Q. How coaches should involve their goalkeepers in training?

Kunal : What I observed goalkeeper don’t wear proper goalkeeping kit, they wear half sleeves and shorts, in India we don’t have good grounds at academy level so, coaches should tell their goalkeepers to wear proper goalkeeping kit for protection.

Coaches should train the goalkeepers with right technic, because if goalkeeper trained with wrong technic, then it will be difficult to change in later stage. I would suggest every academy should have dedicated goalkeeping sessions with dedicated goalkeeping coach to improve their goalkeeping technic, it will help them to reach next level.

Rajat : Goalkeeping coach is a must, whether it is grassroot, academy or youth level. Two sessions in a week are enough for goalkeepers in initial stage, and rest of the time coach can develop his tactical training by involving goalkeepers in training. I would suggest to coaches, whatever knowledge you are getting from the coach education, try to implement all those technics in your academies and upgrade kids & themselves

Q. Being Indian Women’s National team goalkeeping coach what is the difference between training of women goalkeepers and men goalkeepers?

Kunal : In India men’s football developed a lot than women’s football. There are youth leagues to promote men’s football but we don’t have such leagues in India for women. Boys start playing football at the age of 8- 10 but girls start playing football at the age of 16-17, so, if they start so late then it is difficult to work and improve on their technics. But things are improving. There are plans to organize women’s youth league so, if they start early then it will be better for them to develop more. Men’s and women’s trainings are same but intensity we can’t keep as same as boys.

Message from experts

Kunal : All the players and aspiring kids should wear proper kit while training to avoid unnecessary injuries. Try to learn the basic first as if your basics are strong you can play the game better.

Rajat : Goalkeeping is the most important part of football. It is lonely position but you should fall in love with your position. Being a women’s team coach, I would request to promote women not only for Football but whatever they want to do in life, try to motivate and support them. Women empowerment and development is very important for the society and Sports is the best way to empower the women.

Disclaimer: The tips, opinions and views expressed on this blog are solely those of the original speakers and other contributors. Opinions, views, tips shared are to the best of the speakers’ knowledge. These are merely guidelines and viewers are requested to follow them at their own discretion.