No permanent player "positions."  Experience given to all players in most aspects of the game, including goalkeeping. Three main teaching considerations:

·         Catching ball in front of the body with palms to the ball.

·         Diving for shots and the tumbling involved.

·         Kicking and throwing the ball to safe areas and/or to maintain possession.

Decisions by players and coaches now needed regarding "their positions." Care and discretion required in selection of "permanent" positions (future physique and development of abilities?). Players must not be "locked" into the goalkeeping position.

• Shot stopping; crosses; through balls with an emphasis on technique work. Kicking and throwing are very important.
• Development of the understanding required for the goalkeeper's role.

"Putting it all together." Physique almost established, therefore, specialization in "positions". The tactical role of the goalkeeper. "Playing the position" understanding of the requirements.

Much practice involving decision making without ignoring basic techniques of:  

• Shot Stopping
• Staying on Feet
• Narrowing Angles .Catching Crosses
• Kicking and Throwing.

The feature that distinguishes the goalkeeper from the rest of the team is the ability of the goalkeeper to use the hands within the defending penalty area. No other player is legally allowed to use the hands (other than at a throw-in.)

Not only does this rule allow the goalkeeper a distinct advantage, it also becomes the biggest consideration in how the goalkeeper goes about the task of defending the goal.

Both palms of the hands must always be turned outwards to the ball. Anatomically this means the body position will have to be adjusted to ensure that both palms and not just one can be in position to do just that. The object is to present the maximum amount of palm and fingers to the ball. "W" Shape: A "W" configuration of the hands is used to collect the balls above head height.

The King Consideration of both hands/palms being presented to the ball will only change in occasional circumstances. The three main ones being:

• When a goalkeeper is at full stretch and is only able to get full extension of the body by angling the shoulders to make the one-handed save.
• When a quick collapsing save for a shot close to the body permits only a quick one- handed deflection to the side of the goal.
• Where a goalkeeper elects to punch the ball with one fist or two when moving into heavy traffic or is forced to be fully extended.

In soccer, for field players, the "hand ball" rule does not just apply to the hands but to the arms as well.

In a similar way the goalkeeper must regard the arms and hands as the same thing. If the arms are not right the hands cannot do their job.

If an arm is pulled across the body the palm of the hand cannot do the job required of facing the ball. So the hands must lead but the rest of the body must follow the lead to allow the required hand position to take place. Once the ball is outside the line of the shoulders a more risky type of goalkeeping becomes necessary involving diving, leaping, perhaps one handed deflection saves.

The hands and arms lead to the shoulders and all goalkeepers ( and their coaches) should be aware of the importance of shoulder position. If the shoulders are square to the ball (i.e. facing the ball) the goalkeeper's body position will not be far wrong.

In addition, the square ness of the shoulders allows the keeper to form a "window" so important to successful performance. If the "window" is closed there is a good chance of an imminent goalkeeping disaster.

Finally, with the hands leading in front of the body, yet not at full stretch (with the crooked elbow giving a strong yet shock absorbing effect) a margin for error is built in as we will see regarding the considerations of Absorption and Side Diving.

The posture of the true goalkeeper would alienate any drill sergeant anywhere in the

world. The best looking goalkeepers are always round shouldered and look more like a gorilla than a US marine. This "concaving" of the body assists in every facet of the actions of the goalkeeper. Even when saving the ball on the ground, or in the air, the "concaving" principle and body shape are critically important.