The Hero and the Chump?


The goalkeeper. They also call him doorman, keeper, goalie, bouncer or netminder, but he could just as well be called martyr, pay-all, penitent or punching bag. They say where he walks, the grass never grows.
   Eduardo Galeano, Soccer in Sun and Shadow

Goalkeepers can save the team or break the team as the video above shows very clearly.  Goalies are a special breed of soccer player, and as a coach I have always admired the courage with which goalkeeprs play and congratulated them on their performance as much as possible.

The life of a keeper is not an easy one, and despite most young players wanting to be the goalkeeper (probably because they can use their hands and it seems easy)  I have experienced numerous young players exposed to goalkeeping and regretting the decision to play in goal almost immediately the first wave of attacks arrive and a goal is conceded.

To all goalkeepers, I salute you (unless of course you save shots from my team)

The most comprehensive resource on the internet for goalkeepers is a site developed by Jeff Benjamin.  It is a free site with tons of great information, videos, goalkeeper tips and drills.


I strongly recommend this site to any goalkeeper looking for tips or information improve their game

Thanks for the site Jeff, its fantastic



Jeff Benjamin has played goalkeeper for over 20 years, through high school and adult amateur levels. He holds a USSF National "C" license, an NSCAA Advanced National diploma and NSCAA National Goalkeeping diploma, and is a certified USSF Grade 8 referee. Coach Benjamin spent four years as the goalkeeper coach for the Fort Collins Soccer Club in Ft. Collins, Colorado, and is currently the head soccer coach at Berthoud High School in Berthoud, Colorado.