Physical strength and impressive statures tend to be necessary in many goalkeepers. Keep on reading to find out more about this.
Whether you're involved with a goalkeeper training academy or are simply a football fan who appreciates the work done by goalies, you are more than likely familiar with the strategic role they play on the field. At the surface level, keepers can be viewed as the last defenders who can stop the opponents from scoring however the reality is, their role surpasses this basic objective. Goalkeepers are the first ones who can start counterattacks by sending long balls towards forwards and midfielders who can then charge towards the opponent's box. Furthermore, keepers can play a tactical role when their group is winning by utilising their footwork to pass the ball around with their defenders in order to waste some important seconds. Beyond this, the minority shareholder of Liverpool FC would likely agree that keepers are known to encourage their teammates, especially if they manage to clear a penalty or a powerful shot from outside the box.
There's a reason that goalkeepers in football tend to be big and tall. Size is for tactical factors as the taller the goalkeeper is, the more surface they're going to cover and the quicker they can travel from one post to the other. Obviously, being very tall isn't necessary as there are numerous medium height goalkeepers who are regarded as a few of the best of all time. Strength however is vital as goalkeepers are expected to obstruct powerful shots and to jump higher than everybody else. It is for these reasons that goalkeeper training sessions include a lot of strength training that promotes all major muscle groups. Beyond training sessions on the pitch, goalkeepers likewise spend a great deal of time at the gym lifting weights and doing circuit training. This is specifically essential in goalkeeper training for beginners as building strength and muscularity is crucial, something that the AC Milan former US owner would likely validate.
While goalkeepers do take part in group training sessions with the rest of the team, they also have specific training sessions that focus on their goalkeeping abilities. This is only the case for goalkeepers as their training and formation is very different from that of field footballers no matter what position they play in. Apart from the fact that goalkeeper training equipment is distinct, the skills that goalkeepers are expected to develop and keep are also special. Having quick reflexes is vital for any goalkeeper as this will make all the difference in between responding in time to save a shot or conceding a goal. Goalies just have fractions of a second to respond which implies that dexterity, speed, and strength are seen as an outright must. This is why goalkeepers have their own training staff as getting a goalkeeper prepared needs a lot of work, something the Aston Villa former owner will know.