| Many youth soccer coaches have a problem finding | | | | Let the Goalies decide which patch they want to be |
| enough players who want to play goalie. This article | | | | the Goalie patch and let them earn it by playing Goalie |
| contains suggestions for how youth soccer coaches | | | | 2 or 3 times. The parents can iron the patch on the |
| can motivate players to want play goalie. | | | | player's jersey or practice shirt. I used this approach |
| I frequently hear from youth soccer coaches who | | | | when I coached and it worked. We now sell the |
| have only one or two players who want to play | | | | iron-on soccer patches. |
| Goalkeeper. It is obviously a problem if your only Goalie | | | | I try not to put anyone in goal unless they want to play |
| doesn't make the game, so it is wise to have 2 or 3 | | | | there. I ask who wants to play goal, or who has played |
| kids who want to play Goalie. The approach I have | | | | it, and test their skills by having them punt the ball, |
| found most effective is "Praise and Rewards". I | | | | seeing how far they can kick the ball, throwing it at |
| suggest youth soccer coaches make playing Goalie | | | | them from about 5 and 10 steps away to see if they |
| an honor, praise the Goalie(s) in front of the entire | | | | have "good hands", and being sure they know how to |
| team and parents, and give them rewards. One way | | | | move to cut the shot angle, how to catch a ball and |
| to do this is to have the entire team thank everyone | | | | how to deflect a shot off to the side and over the |
| who played Goalie after each match in front of | | | | crossbar. Ideally, a goalie is quick, but there are more |
| parents. It is nice if you lead an applause for them and | | | | important things in rec soccer. In rec soccer, height |
| brag on their efforts in front of all the players and | | | | helps and the ability to clear a punt is very important, or |
| parents. Never let players or parents criticize the | | | | the other team will bring pressure and get scoring |
| Goalie. Remind the players that if they were doing their | | | | opportunities. A long goal kick isn't as critical; you can |
| jobs there would be very few shots for the Goalie to | | | | have another player take those. I have had several |
| stop. Also tell them that if they are going to be critical | | | | goalies who were good but would have been average |
| then they need to play Goalie. | | | | at best anywhere else on the field. These were large |
| Another idea that will encourage players to want to | | | | boys who were slow with below average ball skills, but |
| play Goalie is to buy a cool iron-on soccer patch that is | | | | they were good in goal. In rec soccer, a great goalie |
| only for the players who play Goalie. Choose a color | | | | can make a huge difference and can be worth 2 or 3 |
| or use the Lightning Bolt, the Shamrock or a Star color. | | | | goals. |