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Are Keepers Crazy?

The only people that don't think keepers are crazy are the keepers themselves!

Nobody ever said playing in goal is easy... it certainly is not.  The keeper mentality is one that stems from mental toughness.  From the beginning, when blooming keepers are drawn to playing in the goal - they know full well what kind of pressure it entails, and that the last line of defense has to be physically and mentally strong.  Just how strong is where they differentiate.  In a word, all the training in the world makes no impact without FOCUS!  In a keeper's world, nothing hurts more than letting in a goal - not cuts, bruises, raspberries, nor harsh conditions.  Once that is realized, the keeper decides that it is worth it to give everything toward winning the ball no matter what kind of repercussions are looming.  We're too busy to be affected by emotions - sulking and celebrating are equally bad - only the next ball matters.  A focused keeper is going to do everything possible to keep it out, is never caught off guard or taking a mental vacation, and when given the opportunity, attacks the ball with great controlled aggression and force, no matter if there is someone there to challenge or not.  Even if kicked while smothering, all a focused keeper cares about is getting up quickly to distribute.

So what does that level of focus look like?  Nothing.  Absolutely no expression.  Any facial expression shows that we are being affected by something mentally, and that we are not ultimately physically ready.  It's that intense and alert look in our eyes with a blank face that scares non-keepers into thinking we're crazy.  They are mistaking our focus for insanity.  It's that look that says, "There is nothing you can do to stop me".  (See example pic and video of mental master Oliver Kahn below)  The field player thinks it's crazy to enjoy the trade of physical pain for the mental anguish of letting the goal in, and us keepers know that they are mentally weak for thinking that.  Choose Bravo...because we're not crazy... they're crazy!

                   

Click either Pic for vid

 

 

Are You On The Path?

On the roller-coaster ride that is goalkeeping, one thing must remain consistent - Training.  While the team and fans want a shutout victory, a goalkeeper requires shots, goals-against, and even losses to get better.  Where will you find those shots?  Will you wait until the cup final to realize that you must lead with your hands on a breakaway?  Or will you accomplish that in training and be prepared to be the hero in the final?  Imagine a keeper who sees very little action because of a strong defense, and has a shutout almost every game - are they prepared for the next level? or does it create complacency?  It would take lots of training to make up for what you aren't seeing in those games, therefore good results actually mean more training.  It is only painful, sometimes embarrassing results that will ensure progress and intensity - it's what keeps the fires lit inside.  Through ups and downs, the training must remain constant - to correct what went wrong, is not-right, and is bound to happen.

A big part of goalkeeping is experience because it allows you to play at a high level while minimizing fluctuation and inconsistency.  Development as a goalkeeper not only requires many hours of preparation, but also a strong mental game.  As results rise and fall, a keeper must remain focused and on the path of development.  Every shot you face as a keeper must be your most important yet - concern not for what has happened and cannot be changed, only for what's coming next.  Emotions are best suppressed, and should not reflect the scoreboard nor those concerned with it.  It is in this difficult facet that a goalkeeper coach is most crucial... a keeper coach who has both sunk and swum between the posts.  When goalkeeping chooses you, choose Bravo... because you can't win 'em all, and we're counting on that.

 

 

If you've watched Tim Howard, you know he isn't shy about screaming at his defense... but the U.S. national team keeper said there's a method to his madness.  Click the photo below for the whole story.

"Defenders are like dogs. If four plays go by and I try to make a point about the first play, it doesn't work because it happens too quickly ... The points have to be hammered home right then and there to get a reaction from the players. " - Tim Howard