Vote for your favourite player here for your chance to win.

ATTRIBUTES NEEDED FOR GOALKEEPERS

A goalkeeper is employed to act as last line of defence i.e. to keep the ball out of goal, and it is essential in any team hoping for success to possess a player who knows how to handle the job.

In the modern game a keeper has to be something of an outfield player as well, reading the play, leaving the penalty area when he has to, and then leaving or passing to a colleague.

But the basics haven't changed that much, and being the back player he can direct his defence in front of him from a good vantage position.

But there are other items that need to be considered: -

(1) He has to be physically strong, someone who can withstand a strong challenge when going for a ball. He needs body and arm strength to deal with fierce shots at goal, and he needs to be (fully grown adult) 5' 10" at least to help when reaching high balls.

(2) A goalkeeper needs quick reactions, as he has to make quick judgements quite often e.g. deflected shots at goal, racing out 20 metres to clear, or keeping out close-in efforts at goal.

(3) Agility is important, some of the world's best keepers have trained at gymnastics to help their dexterity. Leaping high, diving sideways or springing out occurs during most matches. So agility with skill is an important requisite.

(4) A good fitness level is important. Stamina training is essential, as goalkeepers are sometimes asked to withstand pressure on the goal for long periods, - and then there are always goal kicks to take as well. In the modern game, keepers should possess some skill at playing with the feet, and so he should train as an outfield player, at times, in training sessions.

(5) A goalkeeper must have courage, to dive at an oncoming players feet when he has to, and to leap in the middle of bodies to deal with crosses into his danger zone.

(6) He must concentrate at all times - even when the ball is in the other penalty area, so that he can quickly readjust his position when the ball is coming towards his goal. That includes watching his own team mates as well as the opposition.

(7) He needs a good temperament, and is able to re-focus even when a goal is scored against his team. His unaffected approach will assist his team mates, and he should try as often as possible to be released, so as to weigh up the play and not look flustered. His power of concentration is vital - a high level of this will help him assess all possibilities.

(8) Above all he needs to be confident, and to get that confidence he needs to practice, practice, practice, at handling, catching, throwing and kicking the ball. Good ability will help build confidence, uncertainty can be disastrous to the team.

As a result a keepers training programme needs to be scheduled properly - quite often away from the rest of the team, with the coach paying special attention to the mental side of the position which affects confidence.

Basic practices for handling should be repeated over and over again, with the coach ensuring the goalkeeper is trying, whenever possible, to get both hands and some point of the body behind the ball when saving.