Match Preparation

Match Preparation

As a goalkeeper you have to prepare your mind and your body. You have to be confident that you are in the best possible shape to play the game.

To be in that best possible shape, you have to be both Mentally and Physically ready You also need to.

  • Ensure you equipment is in order. Please see our Care of Equipment page to help.
  • Eat the correct food. Please see our nutrition page for more details on how to be best prepared.
  • Know the rules for the tournament / League you are playing in.
  • Being on time. By leaving early you protect yourself from any unforeseen delays and also allows you to focus on the game.

Mental rehearsal before matches is as important as the physical warm – up. As a goalkeeper you should visualize previous situations in which you have played well. All negative thoughts should be banished.

Please see the mental toughness page to get more positive mental preparation notes.

You need to prepare the body physically before each game. This is done by the pre game warm up. Please recognize that the Goalkeeper’s warm up should be different from that of the outfield player.

The ideal format for the warm up should consist of three parts. 1) Dynamic flexibility 2) running technique 3) Specific Soccer action

The first 5 minutes, the goalkeeper should raise the core body temperature and get the blood flowing. Aerobic activities such as jogging, running, jumping and skipping are the best ways to do this. You should avoid acceleration, deceleration and sudden changes of direction here.

1) Dynamic flexibility consists of function-based exercises that use soccer specific movements to prepare the body for training or competition. See Dynamic Exercises

2) Running Techniques are the second part to the warm up. Quick firing of the nervous system to promote fast arm and leg movements. Quick gliding, turns and rolls. This work should last about 3 minutes.

3) Goalkeeping specific Warm up which should consist of

· Basic Handling

· Diving saves

· Shot Handling and tip-overs

· Breakaways (no contact)

· Crosses from both sides

· Distribution

You should not hold back on the warm up as you are performing tasks that would be expected in a game. Get yourself mentally right by performing these physical exercises to the best of your ability.

It is important that the goalkeeper is accompanied by another player or coach whose service is reliable so that the goalkeeper begins the game in the best possible physical and mental state.

The warm-up routine should take approximately 30 minutes. Use a training session to practice your warm up and have it timed so you know how long it takes you to get totally prepared. Remember also to leave time to collect your thoughts and focus on the game in hand. Wet your gloves, change your shirt, talk to team mates (especially defenders). Leave nothing to chance.

During camp I have also mentioned the various aspects that us goalkeepers also have to take on board before a game.

  • Size of goal
  • Condition of goal area
  • Wind direction
  • Position of the sun.

Remember the saying “ Fail to prepare and prepare to fail”

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Leon is Regional Director for UK International Soccer Camps