Youth Soccer: Goalie Facing an Opponent 1v1

As a dad of a soccer goalie, the 1V1 situation is the most exciting and the scariest. Scary because the goalie has to sacrifice their body to protect the goal for the team.

My daughter, CC, is particularly good at this. During the Final Four game of the Ohio State cup, CC made a great save and I caught it with my Nikon (below). The pictures prompted me to research and write this post about the 1V1 situation.

Top 15 things soccer goalies need to remember in a 1V1 situation

Read the situation - attacker breaking through

1. The shooter has the advantage over you. 
2. You need to leave the goal line. 
3. If you sit back and wait, the striker will have the luxury of choosing the optimum time to shoot.
4. Conversely, if you come out aggressively, the shooter will be forced to shoot under duress. This makes mistakes more likely.
5. If the you sit back and wait, the striker will have more goal area to shoot at.
6. Converstly, if you come out aggressively, you will cut down the angle and reduce the amount of exposed goal area.
7. Once you leave the goal line there is no going back - you need to be decisive.
8. You have one chance to secure or clear the ball.
9. Many attackers like to dribble around the attacking goalie - come out aggressively but under control.
10. Yell Keeper! Keeper! Keeper! Be confident and loud.
11. As you aggressively attack the ball, watch the ball and keep hands low and wide.
12. If you get in close range to the attacker, slide with arms stretched wide
13. Be fast - speed intimidates
14. Be confident in your decisions
15. Be brave

When you decide to come out, do it aggressively

Cut down the angle - Yell - Keeper!

As the shooter plants foot to shoot - get in a ready position hands wide

Be brave and knock down the ball any way you can

Find the ball

Cover the ball up - Great save

Last fall, I used my Nikon to capture my niece play in the Woman's NCAA soccer tournament. She was under constant pressure and shut down several 1V1 attacks.

CC's Cousin - comes out aggressively but under control

Slides arms stretched

Slides arms stretched wide

The Main Point

If you are going to be successful as a goalie, you will need to be brave, decisive, confident and quick. And your dad and mom need to leave their nerves at home.