The goalkeeper is a very important position. He or she is the last line of defense. They are the only people on the field which are permitted to use there hands. They are only allowed to use there hands in the box in front of the goal. Many people feel that the goalkeeper must train the hardest because they need both physical persistence and agility.
To tell the difference between a goalkeeper and a regular player, it is very easy. The goalkeeper is always wearing a different color shirt and a pair of gloves. This is much easier than back in the 1900's when the only thing separating a goalkeeper and a field player is a very small cap worn on their head.
The goalkeeper still wears shin pads and spikes ,but in addition he also wears gloves. The gloves protect his or her hands from hard shots and they also make it easier for him or her to catch the ball.
The goalkeeper can improve on this or her position by practicing. One practice could be to have all the field players line up and shot on the goalkeeper from just outside the goal box. This is a drill which has been used for many many years. It can improve on the hand eye coordination and his or her agility. Agility is what will help you get to were the ball is going
Another drill which you can have your goalkeeper do is have them set the ball on the goal line and to have them kick the ball as hard as they can. This will improve on there kicking power which will improve on goal kicks.
A final drill which you can have you goalkeeper do is to hold the ball and to punt it into the net. This will help after the goalkeeper saves a shot to get it out of there zone.
As you can see the position of goalkeeper is very important to the sport of soccer and you can improve on it in many ways.
