There is a great deal you can learn from the greatest
goalkeepers now and of all time. Each has their own style of communicating,
defending their area, attacking breakaways, getting in the heads of their
opponents. Many became feared by those who dared to breach their penalty area
for the physical punishment delivered and their ferocious defense of every
shot. From blood-curdling screams of “Keeper!” that momentarily froze attackers…to
bone-crunching tackles on breakaways…to teeth-jarring collisions on crosses…the
best of the best became that way by developing a special mindset when it came
to failure. They didn’t fear failure…they attacked it! “I will not fail! And
you will not beat me!” This mindset propelled them to making the impossible
saves that stunned opponents and sent crowds of supporters to their feet.
What is it you fear most about goalkeeping? Not making the
save? Looking foolish? Letting down your team, your family, yourself? Not
measuring up? Identify what scares
you and attack it with every ounce of your being…in soccer and in life in
general. Find a hero or two (or more)…someone who plays/played the way you want
to play. What were the characteristics of their on-field personality, their
playing style, their training work ethic that made them who they became? Make
those traits your own…
I was petrified when I was first thrust into the goal when
my goalkeeper’s leg was shattered making a save. I was rather wimpy (okay…very wimpy!)…had
zero skill or training…but fell in love with goalkeeping just as you have. I
found heroes like Oliver Kahn, Peter Schmeichel, and Tony Meola to emulate. I
took their incredible guts…their ability to play through almost any injury or
pain…their “I’m going to crush you!” mentality into the goal with me…and I
transformed my wimpy self into a beast. And I assure you none of my teammates
or coaches that first season would have ever believed that I had the potential
or that it was possible. I began with less athletic ability than each one of
you…and never had a goalkeeper coach except for one season in college. Perhaps
one of the things I loved most about playing goalkeeper was that it didn’t
matter who or how I was off the pitch…because goalkeeping allowed me to
transform myself into anything or anyone I wanted to be like when I walked onto
the pitch. And that experience allowed me to improve who I was off the pitch…
Who are your heroes? If you don’t have any…explore the great
ones and discover what made them great. Who plays/played the way you want to
play? Learn about them…emulate them…train like them…develop your own potential.
If I can do it…I know you can do it! And I’ll help…
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