Getting your child involved in a youth soccer team is a fun and engaging way to keep them social and active. If your little one is the team’s goalie, they may feel nervous about playing a vital role as a key player in their team's defense. Here are some important tips to share with your child and to help them gain confidence as a goalkeeper.

Effective Goalie Tips for Kids

1. Take the Initiative

Your child shouldn’t wait for the opponent to get the upper hand. Encourage them to take the initiative and step forward, running towards the ball and making their body as large as possible. The idea is to distract the opposing player and decrease their accuracy when they take their shot.

2. Adopt a Stance

A goalie should always hold a ready position and poise themselves for swift and sudden movements. Ideally, they should keep their feet shoulder-width apart with their elbows and knees relaxed. It’s also best to keep their hands in front of the body with their elbows. Remind them that standing on the balls of their feet allows for a quicker and smoother response time.

3. Practice Hand-Eye Coordination

Developing quick reflexes is vital to success. While your young goalie should always focus on the ball, they should still possess the ability to scan the field peripherally and observe the surrounding action. Performing a variety of drills can help improve hand-eye coordination, making it easier for kids to make quick moves when the moment calls for it.

4. Move with Speed

Quick movement is one of the essential skills for goalies since shots often come firing at the goal with little time to react. That’s where speedy footwork comes in handy. Kids can hone their skills by staying in motion throughout the game.  Youth soccer team coaches will often focus on special drills to help their goalkeepers become more adept.
 

If your child is interested in joining a youth soccer team, look into Beachside Soccer Club in Norwalk, CT. This program offers a variety of boys’ and girls’ soccer programs for students between the ages of 5 and 13, including exciting junior clinics and more advanced leagues. Visit the website for more information, or call (203) 852-6969 to speak with a team member.