This is part 1 of a 2-part article. Keep an eye on our website for part 2.
Most people probably won’t consider this, but as goalkeepers we have to be aware of how we are perceived by not only the other team, but by our own team, coaches, managers and maybe even the fans (although the latter are always a fickle bunch).
If you are serious about your career as a keeper then this is something you need to be aware of. How people perceive you is an important factor to how willing the coaches are to put you on the pitch, how eager scouts from teams and academies are to sign you up as well as how confident your teammates are in your ability to get the job done and help direct them when need be.
I’ll lay out some tips on how you can maintain a good reputation and some things to think about if you’re not already doing them.
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Are you wearing the right kit?
This may seem counterintuitive at first since performance is the most important thing right? Well, yes and no. Before you can get a chance to prove your performance on the pitch people will pass judgement on you based purely on the way you look.
Are you dressed appropriately? Are you wearing everything that most people would expect to see a keeper wearing? Is everything clean and well-maintained?
The answer to these questions should all be a resounding “YES!”. If not that’s something you need to work on.
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Do you have the tools for the job?
The main tools of a goalkeeper are his or her gloves. The condition of your gloves can be a telltale sign into your attitude as a keeper. A tatty old pair of gloves could show that you don’t care much about your position as a goalkeeper and therefore might not be the right person for the job.
On top of that a well maintained pair of gloves will serve you better than a pair of gloves that are just thrown into a cupboard after a training sessions with your muddy boots.
They may seem expensive at first, but your gloves are an investment and you shouldn’t hesitate to replace your old pair as soon as possible.
- Are you warming up properly?
Your warm up says a lot about you, based on what you and how you do it. Ideally when warming up for the start of a match you should be warming up with either the second keeper, a coach or another teammate. This will show that you are serious about getting it right and will demonstrate your level of organization not only as a player but also as a team.
A good warm up will also provide you with a good level of confidence going into the match and this positivity will pass to the other members in the team.
To be continued...
Part 2 coming soon!
