The Goalkeeper Evolution

Sept. 1, 2022, 10:04 a.m.

The goalkeeper position is one that has undergone the greatest number of modifications in terms of the regulations over the years. These changes have had a considerable influence on the goalkeeper's technique and tactics, in terms of technique we observe the game with the feet, currently it is an essential feature for a goalkeeper. On the other hand, training has also evolved from an early age, this is because the "1" must be more than just the one that "avoids goals"; This has forced the goalkeeper to play or maintain a more advanced position on the field, in addition to requiring more attention and a better reaction to what happens in the game, whether in attack or defense.

We can say that as a starting point the World Cup in Italy '90, where excessive use was made of the game towards the goalkeeper in order to "waste time", with which the "king sport" became boring by leaps and bounds. It was not until 1992 that the rule was incorporated in which the goalkeeper is prevented from taking the ball if it is considered a deliberate pass from a teammate.

 

After incorporating the new rules regarding the game towards the goalkeeper, the game systems began to evolve towards more offensive systems, in addition to increasing the pressure on the goal with ball disposition. Gone are the games where the teams rotated the ball between the defenders until the moment when the rival was about to press and played with the goalkeeper so that he took the ball with his hands and "wasted" a few seconds, with a look of minutes, since after taking the ball the sequence was: lie down on the ground with the ball in your hands, wait for the player generating the pressure to move away, get up, walk towards the edge of the large area to take a long shot, or get out short with a defender and such as a cycle. In addition to the above, considering that in 1994 another significant change was introduced, the 3 points per game won and 1 per tie, two of the greatest modifications in favor of improving the show.

 

 

In its beginnings, the application of this rule was complex, considering that the "N ° 1" was used to using his hands most of the time, with which he went through a transition stage, where they were observed, in addition to regular to bad executions with the feet, the successful ones, were mostly long clearances with no other objective than to get rid of the problem (the ball).

An example, and if you can say an advance to the rule, was the Colombian goalkeeper René Higuita, who already had great "footwork" due to his years as a professional, but many times his excess of confidence played tricks on him, such and as it happened in the World Cup in Italy 90, in the round of 16 match against Cameroon, Higuita outside his area receives a ball in a support position (Figure N°4), makes the decision to feint Roger Milla, who punted and removed the ball, being free to advance towards the Colombian goal and score the 2-0 that would almost seal Colombia's participation in Italy '90.

 

After more than 30 years of technical and tactical improvements, in addition to an increase in the size and professionalization of the coaching staff, the goalkeeper has become the field player where all the plays begin, a permanent support for his team, with which this player has had to increase his concentration, physical preparation, footwork, among others, it is not enough to have a dominant foot, he must manage both profiles, voice of command to order and most importantly a tactical level that allows him to interpret all the technical aspects of the game, in order to make the best decision for the benefit of your team.

Currently we have great exponents of the technique and tactics of the "new goalkeeper", among whom we can name: Manuel Neuer, as libero goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, Ederson Morae and Claudio Bravo, as great exponents of the long game and precision in the happens.

 

 

It is for everything described above that should be incorporated into the goalkeeper's training, from basic forces, not only technique, but also tactics, and total knowledge of the game. Knowing and grasping all the concepts from an early age, future goalkeepers will be able to count on more and better opportunities to fulfill their goals, objectives and dreams.

 

 

Eduardo San Martín Piña
Video analyst - @realsanjoaquin_oficial
Goalkeepers coach - @1871.academia