While this may sound obvious, it is vital to clearly understand the role of the goalkeeper before jumping ahead to training sessions or matchday preparation.

By having a clear understanding of what a ’keeper must do, specialist goalkeeping coaches can design training sessions and long-term development programmes to help maximise a shot-stopper’s development to ensure all game-relevant aspects of their performance are enhanced. 

Likewise, outfield coaches will have a better understanding of how to best integrate ’keepers into team sessions to further aide their development, as well as how to incorporate goalkeepers into their game model to improve the overall performance of the team. 

While the role a goalkeeper plays within a team is constantly evolving and becoming more complex as the demands placed on the position within the modern game increase, their primary role remains to keep the ball out of the goal. 

It is possible to divide the goalkeeper’s duties into four distinct areas. 

Out of possession, they must defend both the goal itself and the space in front of the goal. In possession, they must start and support build-up play. In both phases, they should communicate with team-mates to provide clear and relevant information.

"They must defend both the goal itself and the space in front of the goal..."

The exact actions performed by a goalkeeper will depend on a team’s style of play. A goalkeeper in a team which prioritises direct play may need a different skillset to one in a team which tries to dominate possession through short passing. 

However, the four areas above remain vital to the role every goalkeeper will perform.

Out of possession - defend the goal

Keeping the ball out of the goal, fairly obviously, is the most important aspect of the goalkeeper’s primary role.

A keeper’s capacity to defend the goal is often referred to as their shot-stopping ability, a phrase which covers a wide range of goalkeeping actions.

To effectively defend the goal, goalkeepers must be capable of making saves from a variety of scenarios, including 1v1s, long-range shots, reaction saves and shots from cutbacks or crosses.

This requires a broad skillset, including...

• Physical skills: speed and power
• Technical skills: footwork, diving, handling and punching
• Psychological skills: concentration and confidence
• Tactical skills: decision-making and positioning

Ideally, a goalkeeper should be capable of making match-defining saves as well as limiting errors when dealing with less challenging shots.