Goalkeeping Tips, Tidbits and Random Thoughts

How to win a silver medal

The gold medal match in Beijing between Argentina and Nigeria was well played, if a bit slow due to the 100F+ (38C+) heat at the Bird's Nest stadium. Both teams created chances, although Argentina was aguably the better team throughout. After 90 minutes just one goal separated Argentina's gold from Nigeria's silver. I was disappointed to see that one goal happen primarily due to poor goalkeeping.

We have to remember, though, that the Olympics are essentially a U23 tournament. Goalkeepers often reach their peak far later than field players, so you might expect more mistakes from keepers in their late teens/early twenties. That said, the Nigerian keeper Ambruse Vanzekin was completely at sea for Angel di Maria's game-winner.

Those in the USA can see highlights here at NBCOlympics.com, with the goal starting at about 2:35. Messi springs di Maria with a beautiful ball, putting him in alone on the Nigerian netminder.

We don't see where Vanzekin was, but when the camera finally picks him up, he is at about the penalty spot, moving laterally across the penalty area towards di Maria who is coming down the left of center. By Vanzekin's position and movement, we can tell he is already out of position. His starting position is way off and he's in trouble already.

At this moment, di Maria is also about 12 yards from the top of the penalty area. He is quickly reaching shooting distance, and Vanzekin is caught in no-man's land: too far out to stop a chip, yet not close enough to shut down di Maria. In fact, the edge of the penalty area had become the Nigerian's barrier—even if he tries to close di Maria, he can't do so effectively because di Maria is still outside the area.

Watching live, as the Argentine neared the goal it was obvious to me that he would lob the Nigerian keeper ("He's gonna get chipped!" is what popped into my head), and that is exactly what happened. Skillfully executed by the striker, for sure, but set up by poor positioning by the goalkeeper. Terrible starting position put Vanzekin at a disadvantage from the very start of the play.

If he were to get another chance, as di Maria approached Vanzekin should have been moving back to, say, the top of the goal area and properly centered as if ready for a shot. Then, as di Maria approached the penalty area, the goalkeeper would time his run to start cutting the angle and meet the striker about 13-15 yards from the goal line, guarding against a chip or shot from distance until he could advance and challenge the attacker with the use of his hands.

Still, an Olympic silver medal is nothing to be ashamed of.

Labels: Matchday observations

Orange highlighter

In this week's Champion's League final between Manchester United and Chelsea, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech wore a flourescent orange uniform:



One poster over at The Glove Bag wrote: "My brother sent me a text during the game saying 'Cech looks like a highlighter pen'". That was after some discussion about whether bright goalkeeper kits would influence strikers to hit the ball right at the keeper.

I've heard that theory bandied about for many years, but I've never seen any scientific study on it. I'm not convinced it makes much of a difference.

In fact, when I am playing striker, I want to see the keeper. My target is a specific area of the goal, where the keeper isn't... and to know where the keeper isn't, it stands to reason that I also need to know where the keeper is. My visual target is a "frame" formed by the ground, the crossbar, a post, and the keeper. I almost never look at the keeper directly, but I do see the keeper's body as a part of the target frame. A brightly outfitted keeper just makes that frame easier to distinguish against a mottled background.

Other strikers may, literally, see things differently, but particularly at the higher levels I don't think a bright goalkeeper kit has any big advantage. The keeper should wear whatever they feel is most comfortable and makes them the most confident.

Labels: Equipment, Matchday observations

Show or substance?

Over on SoccerNet, Steve Davis writes:

"I can't quite endorse Colorado goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul and his theatrics, his unconventional and yet strangely successful methods, the silliness of "Bouna Time" and the other comedy that unfolds around the goal at DSG Park. But I'll say this: His high jinks make MLS a more interesting place."

I'll agree that Condoul makes things interesting. I saw him debut last year as a starter for the Rapids. Here's some footage of him recently against Kansas City, and even this brief glimpse lets you see a few, um, interesting plays. I have to say that I preferred Joe Cannon in the Colorado net.

Both keepers are quality, but the way they approach the task is quite different. Condoul is more flash, more showy but can occasionally make a big bone-headed mistake. Cannon might not get that one "Save of the Year" candidate, but he exudes an aura that nothing short of a brilliant shot will get past him.

Which kind of keeper are you? If you're a coach, which kind of keeper do you prefer? In the end it's personal preference, but I go more with the Cannon type. I want a goalkeeper who almost never lets in the stupid, soft goal. I don't want my defense constantly having to think about what is going to happen behind them. A defense that is confident in its goalkeeper, I think, will play better. In particular, they will feel able to support the attack more since they are confident that things are secure behind them.

In my opinion, goalkeepers ought to make the simplest save possible. Save the showy stuff for when it's really needed.

Labels: Matchday observations

Which end are we attacking again?

Being a goalkeeper is hard enough without your own team shooting at you.

Labels: Matchday observations

Goalkeeper own goal

Poor Jussi Jaaskelainen. It's not often you get goalkeepers credited with an own goal, but he managed to do it in Bolton's match against Liverpool this past weekend. On a shot that might not even have been going in, a lowish drive by Steven Gerrard, Jussi didn't get his hands to the ball. In fact, it takes a bounce, hits him in the side of the head, bounces out a few feet in front of the goal, and then the spinning ball rolls into the net. Ouch, physically and mentally.

Labels: Matchday observations

Last night's USA-Mexico game

Last night's USA-Mexico game was the usual scrappy, no-love-lost affair. US goalkeeper Tim Howard had a fine game, but one play in particular stood out for me, both for the good and the bad.

In the first half, Mexico sent a cross in from the flank. US goalkeeper Tim Howard came out to claim what should have been an easy ball, but US defender Carlos Bocanegra ran right into Howard and sent him to the turf, where the ball popped free.

That's the bad. Either Howard did not call "Keeper!" early or loud enough, or Bocanegra couldn't hear him due to 70,000 screaming fans, or a combination of both. Lack of communication between Howard and his defense was difficult all night, particularly on setting walls for free kicks. While the players don't get much chance to train together before mid-week friendlies like this one, the lack of communication was inexcusable at the international level. If you can't hear, you must make eye contact.

The good was Howard's focus after he lost the ball. Watch the highlight here, starting about 10 seconds in. Look at Howard's eyes in the replay. As he does a complete 360 roll, his eyes never leave the ball until he gathers it in again. Now that is focus.

Labels: Matchday observations

Kickoffs are direct

Remember, kickoffs are direct.

Labels: Laws, Matchday observations

Bad luck

I'm sure many keepers have had games where their best save of the match was off their own team, or yielded an own goal on a brilliant, unstoppable shot by a teammate. It's unfortunately, and I always say that playing goalkeeper is tough enough without your own team shooting at you!

But sometimes, the bad luck belongs completely to the goalkeeper. A great first save, but an unfortunate conclusion.

Labels: Matchday observations

Unuckiest goal ever

In Brazil, playing for a futsal championship, a goalkeeper gives up what may just be the unluckiest goal ever.

I'm not normally one to ascribe things to bad luck. After all, the harder you work, the luckier you seem to be. But this one definitely has a fateful twist to it.

Labels: Matchday observations

It's Bouna time!

Brrrr. I just got back from watching the Colorado Rapids play their inaugural match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The facility is beautiful, with a great atmosphere and sight lines, but that didn't change the fact that the temperature was in the mid-20s F (-5C or so) with light snow showers. The match was pretty good too.

Over the offseason, the Rapids traded one of MLS's best goalkeepers in Joe Cannon. I was sorry to see Joe go, and hadn't gotten much of a look at Senegalese newcomer Bouna Condoul. He's listed at 6'2" (188cm), but sure looks taller—and he's absolutely a freakish physical specimen:

Before the game during warm-ups, he was bouncing up and down in front of the goal... and on each spring, the top of his head went above the crossbar! Then during the match, a shot landed on top of the net, which admittedly sagged down a couple of feet. Still, without his standing foot leaving the ground, Condoul kicked the ball off the top netting and onto the field. Yikes!

That said, freakish physical attributes aren't the end-all to goalkeeping. His distribution (particularly punts) was average to poor and inconsistent. In a Rocky Mountain News article, teammate Greg Vanney says:

"Bouna is an unbelievable shot stopper," Vanney said. "He's obviously extremely athletic. But he needs to make good decisions on when to come for balls and when to clear them and when to cover us. And if he makes good decisions, then I think he can become a great, great goalkeeper."

Condoul also is just 25, so he has a way to go to get the needed experience. But for now, it's Bouna time!

Labels: Matchday observations

Paul Robinson atones

Spurs and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson makes up for this bit of bad luck against Croatia—sort of—with bit of good luck, scoring one against Watford.

Labels: Matchday observations

Highlights

It's tough to find time to post now that the spring season is underway, but I did find a few minutes each week to play in an indoor men's league. We went undefeated... until we reached the championship game, unfortunately, losing 5-3 in a good match.

We had a videographer at the match who was kind enough to compile a few highlights of mine. So I thought I'd post it to the web so you all could see the old guy at work.

The arena is unusual for indoor: 40x60 pitch without walls and full outdoor rules including throw-ins and offside. The tough thing for a keeper is that the 6-yard box doubles as the penalty box, so there is very little room to operate, particularly on breakaways. Thus the final save in the clip, which is a slide tackle because the ball was just outside the area.

So, here it is: JB Goalkeeping Game Highlights

Labels: Matchday observations

CRO-ENG [R]

This is why you always show outside the posts to receive a backpass (CRO 2-0 ENG, Euro 2008 qualifier).

Labels: Matchday observations

Hunting for goalkeepers?

Views of the Chelsea-Reading match, where not one but two goalkeepers, Cech and Cudicini, were taken out by the opposition.

Reading manager Steve Coppel defends his player, Stephen Hunt.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho calls Hunt a "hunter".

Neutral observer Robert Evans, an erstwhile goalkeeper and former FIFA referee, thinks the attackers were far from innocent.

Labels: Matchday observations

Three up, three down

It's not often that there are three penalty kicks awarded in a game. It's even more rare that all three are saved. Hats off to Brad Friedel and Paddy Kenny.

Labels: Matchday observations

Blunders

Here's a brief collection of clips of some horrible goalkeeping blunders.

Lesson 1: Don't make divots in the turf! Learn to use the field markings and goalposts to orient yourself. Plus, marking the field like that can be considered unsporting behavior.

Lesson 2: If you accidentally throw the ball into your own net, you won't be the first. I was surprised that a quick google turned up not just one, but at least two professional keepers who scored an own goal by tossing the ball over their own goal line.

Labels: Matchday observations

Keep those field skills sharp

Another reason to keep those field skills sharp: Reina plays in midfield as Liverpool defeated. By this story, he gave a good account of himself as well.

Labels: Matchday observations

You gotta get out more

I am too busy to comment much on World Cup goalkeeping, unfortunately. But I do have some words of advice for Lee Woon Jae of South Korea... you need to get out more!

In the first half of the match against France, Patrick Viera powered a header goalward off a corner kick. Woon Jae was actually backing up into his net as the ball was fired in, and the ball apparently crossed the goal line before he deflected it out. No goal was given, however. Take a look for yourself. Awful goalkeeping, that.

Later in the second half, he made another save with his entire body, save his head, shoulders and hands (and, most importantly for him, the ball) inside the goal and over the goal line.

Simply keeping his weight forward and perhaps stepping off the line a foot or two would have prevented the controversy in the first place.

Labels: Matchday observations

Insult to injury

Ouch. Talk about adding insult to injury... almost literally:

"Norwich goalkeeper [Robert Green], who came on for David James during the interval, injured himself when his leg seemed to collapse on him while taking a goal kick and Vitaly Kutuzov had the simple task of firing the ball into the unguarded net."
(SportingLife.com)

Always make sure you are well warmed up before working on goalkicks.

Labels: Matchday observations

Youth goalkeeper weaknesses

After watching a number of youth games this weekend, here are, in general, a few major weaknesses of most youth goalkeepers:

• Handling the ball cleanly. This is one of the foundations of goalkeeping, and it takes practice, practice, practice! Nothing is more detrimental to a team than having a keeper who continually bobbles the ball.


• Judging and claiming crosses. At the youngest ages, goalkeepers get plenty of practice on things that might seem difficult: low shots, diving, breakaways. What they don't see, until U11 or so (sometimes even older, especially on the girls' side) is flighted balls. It's the nature of the game at that level, but it also means less repetition on a part of goalkeeping that becomes critical later on.


• Throwing distribution. I think this part of the game is overlooked or even discouraged by coaches, especially at the youngest levels where the defenders don't have the skill or tactical knowledge to build out of the back. A keeper doesn't have to have to be able to throw 50 yards on a bullet to be effective distributing with their hands.

If you're a goalkeeper, what are you doing to improve these parts of your game if they are weak?

If you're a coach, how are you helping your goalkeepers get better in these areas? Even U8s and U10s can start to learn to judge crosses, even if they won't see many in a game, or be encouraged to throw or roll the ball out to teammates rather than put up a 50/50 punt every time.

Labels: Matchday observations

The simplest save

A keeper should always strive to make the simplest save possible. Lots of keepers like to look good--diving when they should stay on their feet, adding extra rolls to a dive, etc. Werder Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese learned that the hard way versus Juventus in a recent Champion's League match. Wiese took an unneeded tumble to the turf after catching a routine cross and lost the handle on the ball, with disastrous consequences.

After watching the video clip of the incident, I see absolutely no reason for Wiese to have hit the turf after catching the cross. The final replay does show a Juve attacker right in front of Wiese, but the roll wasn't needed to avoid contact.

Labels: Matchday observations

Group of Death

Now that the World Cup draw has been completed, many folks think that Group E, with Italy, Ghana, the USA and the Czech Republic, is the "Group of Death". It certainly will not be a cakewalk for any side.

Goals may be at a premium, too, not just due to the Italian's catenaccio system of play, but because arguably three of the top ten or so keepers in the world will be minding the Group E nets: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Petr Cech (Czech Republic) and Kasey Keller (USA).

The only other group even close is Group A, with Oliver Kahn (Germany) and Jerzy Dudek (Poland).

Labels: Matchday observations

World Youth Championships, W vs Diamond

Boy, the season goes fast, doesn't it? And busy. You would never imagine how much energy it takes to manage preschoolers. A coach friend of mine likens it to "herding birds." But anyway, a couple of thoughts for a long-overdue update:

After watching the beginning of the U17 Youth Championship and this summer's World Youth Championship (U20s), it's become shockingly clear why goalkeepers mature later in life. What I saw of the goalkeeping was overall poor in both competitions. The US keeper Bryant Rueckner made a real howler in the group match against Italy, letting a free kick skip unimpeded into the far side netting. Perhaps he thought it was going wide? The moral: never assume!

On average, soccer teams get older and taller as you move from front to back. Goalkeepers are often among the oldest and tallest players on a team. (I've finally hit the age where I am getting older and shorter, unfortunately.)

Diamond vs W?. Which catching grip is better? I know goalkeeper coaches who teach one, some the other. Which do you use or recommend? I am firmly in the W camp (thumbs together, fingertips pointing almost straight up), although if a keeper comes to me using the diamond (thumbs and index fingers almost touching)and is comfortable and catches well, I won't try to change them. There are a number of reasons I think the W is preferable, especially for young keepers.

Labels: Catching, Matchday observations

But the show rocked!

This found by Chewie: "Goalie attends concert; team loses 50-1".

Somehow I doubt that it was entirely the backup keeper's fault.

Labels: Matchday observations

Keller made three

In one of my first blog entries I introduced one of my pithy goalkeeping sayings: "A good goalkeeper makes the first save, a great goalkeeper makes the second save...."

Normally I finish with: "...and a top-class goalkeeper doesn't have to make a save." But last night, Kasey Keller made the third save in one quick flurry in the USA's World Cup qualifier vs Panama. In the span of just a few seconds, he saved a sharp header going down to his left, recovered and saved a close-in shot going low to his right, and then got back up to snare a looping header that was going under the crossbar. I was in awe. No question that Keller is playing as well as any goalkeeper in the world right now.

Labels: Matchday observations

The hero at the other end of the pitch

Ricardo did it for Portugal in Euro 2004. Now another goalkeeper, Schalke 04's Frank Rost, both saved penalties and scored the game winner in a German Cup semi-final shootout. It's not often a keeper gets to be the hero for scoring as well as making saves.

Labels: Matchday observations

Don't drop the eggs

Where do you do your training? Phil Ball at ESPNSoccernet points out you could always have it a lot worse:

"Lots of records have been established this week. Spain U-21's beat poor San Marino 14-0, upon which Genghini, the goalkeeper of the perforated net, complained that his job in the local supermarket was poor preparation for such an encounter. Wise words indeed."

Labels: Matchday observations

Rubber goal

Everyone keeper occasionally has a day where they wish their goal-line looked like this:



Apparently that's what it looked like to Roy Carroll earlier this week.

Labels: Matchday observations

Shootout

Chalk one up for the keepers. In last Sunday's NCAA Men's College Cup soccer final, it went down to a shootout. The goalkeepers from UC Santa Barara and Indiana each stopped two penalty kicks—a 40% save rate. Three of the saves were to the keeper's right; one to Indiana keeper Jay Nolly's left. The deciding kick? A "Baggio" over the bar.

Also, a good article on the trials and tribulations of being a Premier League goalkeeper in England, at Soccernet.com.

Labels: Matchday observations

The women's game lags

I watched Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy play their final international game tonight, a friendly against Mexico. While the women's game has benefited immensely from their impact, goalkeeping is one area where the women's game still lags.

Much of this is due to simple physiology. Women, on average, aren't as tall and can't jump as high as men. When they have to cover the same 8-yard wide by 8-foot tall goal, that's bound to have an effect. However, I think that sometimes the training isn't what it should be as well.

At one point, the Mexico keeper (normally the backup) came out for a through ball. It looked like it should be a routine, if close, save to take the ball off the foot of the onrushing Mia Hamm. But instead of going for the ball hands first, body behind the ball, the keeper inexplicably turned her back to the field and put her body in between the ball and Hamm. The result? A sore knee for Hamm, due to hitting the keeper in the back of the head with it! Nobody seriously injured, but it could have been disastrous for both players.

Don't forget that a large part of goalkeeping technique involves keeping the goalkeeper safe, not just keeping the ball out of the net.

Update 12/11/04: I found a picture of the event here. The goal would be off to the right of the picture. Ouch!

Labels: Matchday observations

Catching the ball

Poor Tim Howard. He's been Manchester United's number one since going over to England, but United has fallen into a bit of a slump lately. And to be honest, I think I would pin their going out of the Champion's League today in the second leg against Porto at least in part on Howard.

The most important thing a goalkeeper can do is be able to catch the ball. That's why they get the funny shirt and gloves. If you're not going to catch the ball -- the goalkeeper's one advantage over 20 other players on the soccer pitch -- you might as well not bother. And for as well as Howard's done, he has an alarming propensity for occasionally slapping at a ball that should be caught, or at worst punched far clear.

The Porto goal, which came in the 90th minute, was one of these. Porto had a free kick from about 25 yards out. It was struck decently, but not perfectly, towards the far upper corner. Howard appeared to have a bead on it, and even got both hands to it, but couldn't hang on and knocked the ball down for an onrushing Porto attacker to slam home -- and slam the door on ManU's CL hopes.

To be fair, it was a decent kick, and Howard may have been unsighted by the mass of players in front of him and gotten a late reaction to the ball. And United didn't have a single defender on the bench to bring in to help defend the one-goal lead. But even the very best goalkeepers have areas that need work. And catching the ball every time should be something all goalkeepers strive for.

Labels: Matchday observations

But ref, I got all balls!

It's been a while since my last entry, so a quick update to let folks know I'm still around! That last post was on the final day of the season around here, and was prompted by the play that just happened to be captured by this picture:



You do not want to know where I ended up with bruises from this collision.

No matter how good your training is, playing goalkeeper is a risky position. We teach our keepers the best way to keep themselves safe, but there is only so much you can do. Risk is inherent in any sporting event, particularly those where a net doesn't separate you from your opponent.

I've been taking a bit of a break since the end of the season, but hope to have some fresh material sometime after the start of the new year. Happy holidays to everybody!

Labels: Matchday observations

Make all the saves you should

Fall soccer, at least in the northern hemisphere, is well underway -- I hope everyone is having a great season so far. My men's team opened our league title defense today. We had a first week bye, so the guys were understandably a bit rusty against a team playing their second game. We were under some pressure the first half, but I managed to make the saves I needed to make to keep our opponents off the score sheet until we got our legs, and we went on for a 3-0 victory.

After that first 20 minutes or so I really didn't see much action, but if we had gone down a goal or two early, it would have been a very different game. I was reminded of another one of my favorite sayings for goalkeepers: "Make all of the saves you should... and a few of the ones you shouldn't."

First and foremost, make the easy stops. Nothing saps the confidence of a team more than for the keeper to let in a soft goal, especially early. Keep it simple, keep it safe. Then if you can leap to tip one over the crossbar, or dive to push one wide, it's a bonus.

Oh, and I started the season with new goalkeeping gloves... here's a hint when buying gloves: make sure you get a pair with lots of saves in them.

Labels: Matchday observations

Hands to the ball first

Well, Tim Howard made a bit of a mistake in Manchester United's recent match against Southampton, and it turned out to be costly as United's attack went missing. He still seems to have the support of manager Alex Ferguson, though.

After watching (from my position as assistant referee) several girl's State Cup matches this weekend, I find myself repeating my mantra of hands to the ball first!. We got a lot of rain, 3+ inches of it, on Friday and Saturday and the fields were wet and muddy for the games that did get played. Numerous goalkeepers came out sliding to challenge for balls on the ground, but failed to hang on to the ball and almost gave up dangerous chances, though none were burned by it. The slide technique was fine, but they just got their bodies behind the ball and failed to really focus on getting their hands to it and hanging on. Now, as I said, conditions were wet and muddy and I didn't actually get to ask the keepers what happened after the game, but often failing to hang onto the ball is a simple matter of losing focus -- worrying about the slide, the oncoming attacker, the mud in your face, whatever, instead of concentrating on the ball into your hands.

Labels: Catching, Matchday observations

Howard, Friedel

Our favorite basketball player, Tim Howard, seems to be doing okay in the English Premier Leage. Howard hasn't lost a match since joining ManU this summer.

On the other hand (foot?), even Brad Friedel can have an off day.

Labels: Matchday observations

Even the best can blunder

Even the best in the world sometimes make basic mistakes. The tendency to go backwards is particularly strong, and it is difficult to train goalkeepers to overcome their instincts. And sometimes, even perfect form isn't enough to see you through on the day.

Take yesterday's second-leg Champion's League match between Inter FC and AC Milan. On the first goal of the match, by AC Milan's Shevchenko, this picture shows Inter keeper Toldo in good form, weight forward, going low and getting his body in front of the ball. Shevchenko still got the ball by him. At the other end, Milan's Abbiati was shaky at times, often punching balls he should have caught, and on the goal by Inter's Martins -- which was very similar to the Sheva goal -- he started off well, but in the end was completely back on his heels, sprawled with his head back towards his own goal, and the ball in the net.

Unfortunately for Inter and Francesco Toldo, Sheva's goal was the one that counted.

Labels: Matchday observations

Ouch

When training goalkeepers, we always work on perfecting our technique. But we don't live in a perfect world, and in the end you keep the ball out of the net any way you can. In my men's league game today, my defense fell asleep for a moment and let an attacker in on a clean breakaway. I came out hard, stayed low, made myself big, and stopped the attacker's point-blank shot... with my face.

Rang my bell a bit, but no permanent damage (keep the wisecracks to yourself). Hands are best, but toes, legs, torsos, and faces can all satisfactorily stop a ball if need be. One of my favorite sayings: You can't be stupid and play goalkeeper, but you have to be a little bit crazy.

Labels: Matchday observations

Lowlights

Unfortunately, the only goalkeeping highlights you usually get to see on TV and on the web are more like lowlights. So you can point out mistakes, but not good play.

An example is Pat Onstad's debut wiith the San Jose Earthquakes in the opening round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Municipal of Guatemala. San Jose went down 0-4 after 53 minutes, and two of the goals (at least from the short video clips available on mifutbol.com) appear to be blunders by the keeper.

Already down 0-1 in the 37th minute, Onstad sat back on his line and didn't attack what appeared to be an easy through ball. He ended up bobbling it right out to an attacker who buried the easy rebound. Coaching points -- don't wait for the ball, always be moving forwards toward it; focus and watch the ball all the way into your hands.

Just two minutes later, Municipal sends a long ball from their own half down the left side. As Carlos Figueroa collects the ball about 25 yards from goal (with a defender in hot pursuit), Onstad is already inexplicably 17 yards from goal. Figueroa has an easy lob over the keeper. Coaching points -- if you aren't sure you are going to get to the ball first, play it safe and stay on your line. If you do get into a true breakaway situation (and this wasn't, yet), don't leave your line so soon that you run out of penalty area (and the ability to use your hands!) before you get to the attacker.

And one final coaching point for unlucky Pat -- the game is over, so shake it off, recount what you learned, and be determined to do better the next time!

Labels: Matchday observations