“CATCH WELL, KICK WELL AND CALL WELL” - KARL LENAGHAN

Former Bradford City player and current goalkeeping coach at Stockport County FC Karl Lenaghan always says Goalkeepers must “Catch well, kick well, and call well.” Calling or communication is extremely important for goalkeepers to help organize the team and keep the best possible defensive shape. When communicating, a goalkeeper should be clear, concise, and loud so that his or her teammates can put the information given to use quickly. In addition, a goalkeeper’s confidence is vital on the field, and communicating successfully can help to build that inner self-esteem. Overall, communication is pivotal for goalkeepers and can add immensely to their presence on the pitch while intimidating the opposition.

Catching is a vital aspect of the game for goalkeepers and could be put into the wider category of handling. The proper technique of keeping the elbows down, hands soft, and catching the ball with the arms at a medium distance of extension from the body is important to give a buffer zone to control a shot. Moreover, initial contact with the ball should be made with the fingertips rather than the palm. Furthermore, whether it’s a cross or a shot, a choice often must be made in a split second as whether to catch, deflect the ball, or punch; and every goalkeeper needs to develop these techniques to use in the appropriate scenario. While catching is not an option at times, we must be mindful that sometimes as goalkeepers we have a tendency to do the spectacular and deflect rather than catching. In summary, to be a great goalkeeper you must catch well and develop your split-second decision-making process of whether to catch, deflect, or punch.

In the modern game, being able to kick well or distribute the ball has become almost as essential as a goalkeeper’s shot-stopping abilities. As goalkeepers, we must develop the necessary range of passing from short to long, both on the ground and out of our hands. Being excellent at kicking helps create attacking opportunities for your team while assisting in keeping the ball and dominating possession. Since the opposition cannot score without the ball, effective passing is one of the most important aspects of defense. Another important reason to develop your distribution is that, throughout a career, we must constantly compete against the other goalkeepers on our teams in order to be chosen as the starter. A well-rounded game, along with a great passing ability, will help edge out the competition. In conclusion, kicking is one of the many important tools a goalkeeper must possess in order to be able to “Catch well, kick well, and call well,” - Karl Lenaghan