5 tips from goalkeepers, thanks to which you will catch a clean sheet

A successful match and a clean sheet is the dream of many goalkeepers in big football and small football. Just dreaming is not enough, and if you really want to win, you must have physical and mental prerequisites, refined technique and very quick reactions. How to improve in all these areas? Here are 5 tips from goalkeepers who go home with a clean sheet.

1. Think like successful goalkeepers

You have to be at home in the box , it is your penalty area where you should perform boldly and confidently . And even in one-on-one fights, including penalties, which are literally a critical moment for goalkeepers. At the same time, it is necessary to be constantly alert, to play tactically and to anticipate the opponent's behavior.

2. Fortune favors the prepared

Among the tips from the goalkeepers of small football and big football, there is also a pre-match routine , thanks to which you can get into the game faster. For example, you can listen to music while visualizing its progress or stretch like real professionals. Not only will this stretch you out, but you'll also generally get in the mood for the upcoming match. In addition, this is the time for a detailed analysis of the opponent . Focus primarily on his best players and preferred tactics.

3. Concentrate and communicate with the team

No matter which half of the field your team is at, keep an eye on the other players, communicate with them, cooperate and control the situation . You never know when an unexpected shot will come , and you have to be ready for that too, because no one will detect you. Likewise, you have plenty of chances to set up a quick counter-attack and it would be a shame to waste them. So you have to concentrate from the first to the last minute of the match.

4. Hard training requires plenty of rest

Good physical and mental condition is the basis of your sports career, so you should constantly train your speed, agility and strength and generally test your body's capabilities. For example, various jumps and squats are very useful , thanks to which you will have strong legs and the entire lower body and you can quickly change direction or catch a falling ball .

On the other hand, you also need to rest enough and think about regeneration after each match . Quality sleep and a balanced diet are essential, and as a bonus treat yourself to regular massages, following the example of professional footballers. We also recommend engaging in exercise that works as a prevention of possible injuries.

5. Work on catching the ball

But football is not only about speed and strength, but mainly about technical work with the ball in different situations. And as a goalkeeper, you have the privilege of being able to play with both your hands and your feet. At the same time, it means training coordination even more and honing ball catching . Otherwise, you will follow the ball while standing at rest, otherwise while moving and falling to the ground. However, it is always important to react quickly and correctly estimate the height and distance of the ball . Especially in the beginning, add these basic techniques , which you will completely automate over time:

Basket – you should know this basic technique already as a beginner. You will use it especially when the ball is flying towards you at a height from your knees to your chest, directly or from close range. It is therefore necessary to dampen his energy with the arms and chest and quickly cover him with gloves . It's a basic technique that even a bad goalkeeper has to master!

Fingers - Here, the main role is to dampen the ball in the hands. Therefore, both standing and falling, keep your thumbs close together and the other fingers spread apart. On the other hand, gently relax the arms so that they basically survive while catching. That's the only way you'll maintain a sharper shot and the ball won't fall out of your glove.

Excavator - When a ball flies directly at you or from close range on the ground. Can be caught well in a fall on the front of the body. But you must not cushion the fall with your knees or elbows, it is important to really land on the entire front part of your body at once so that the procedure is not painful or even dangerous. So you catch the ball while it is falling, not after impact, and you secure it with your body the whole time.

Boxing the ball - hard-to-reach balls must be punched hard to prevent immediate and subsequent threats to the goal. And if you don't know where to hit it safely, the key is to get it as far away from the goal as possible, preferably to the side. But watch out for interventions by the opponent, that's why, in addition to speed, hardness and resistance also win.