Goal Keeper Research Articles

The influence of goalkeeperś height on Soccer Performance: A gender-based analysis

The difference in height between men and women goalkeepers (GKs) may influence goalkeeper performance, particularly when considering that both genders compete using goal frames of identical dimensions. The primary objective of this study was to establish the correlation between GKs’ height and their performance during the 2023–2024 UEFA Champions League season, encompassing both women's and men's leagues. A secondary objective was to analyze GKs’ performance overall. In total, 1751 shots on goal were analyzed, utilizing variables such as total shots on goal, goal shots, non-goal shots, effectiveness against shots conceded, expected goals on target (xGOT), class output, and zone output. A descriptive and correlational statistical analysis was conducted, along with a comparative analysis to assess differences between genders. The findings revealed no correlation between GKs’ height and their performance, as measured by the xGOT metric. The “low center” goal zone received the highest percentage of shots on target, while the “low left” and “low right” zones conceded the highest percentage of goals. The main conclusion of this study was GKs’ height should not be regarded as a determining physical characteristic for performance in both leagues. Furthermore, the predictive value of xGOT for a shot on goal resulting in a goal was determined to be 0.61 ± 0.29 for the women's league and 0.60 ± 0.29 for the men's league.

The Influence of Including Goalkeepers on the Intensity Demands of Walking Football Practice.

This preliminary study examined the effects of playing walking football with and without a goalkeeper (GK) on physiological, physical, technical, and perceptual variables in older men. Twenty participants (67 ± 4.7 years) engaged in two five vs. five walking football sessions, one WITH-GK and one WITHOUT-GK, using a randomized crossover design. The heart rate (HR), distance covered, technical actions, perceived exercise intensity, and enjoyment were measured. The results showed a significantly higher average HR (131 bpm vs. 123 bpm, p < 0.001), %HRmax (79% vs. 74%, p < 0.001), and time in higher HR zones (>80%HRmax, p < 0.05) in the WITH-GK condition. Participants also covered more total distance in the WITH-GK condition (1123 m vs. 1083 m, p < 0.001), particularly at speeds above 4 km/h (834 m vs. 781 m, p < 0.001). Conversely, more passes were made in the WITHOUT-GK condition (20 vs. 16 passes, p < 0.001), while the WITH-GK condition showed more shots (two vs. one, p < 0.001). The perceived exercise intensity was slightly higher in the WITHOUT-GK condition (five vs. four, p = 0.01), although the enjoyment levels were similar, with a slight preference for WITHOUT-GK. Overall, playing WITHOUT-GK provides a safer, lower-intensity alternative to WITH-GK, reducing the physical and perceived strain while maintaining enjoyment. This makes WITHOUT-GK particularly suitable for older adults or individuals with health conditions, promoting participation and rehabilitation with minimized risks.

Biomechanical insights into goalkeeper preparatory movements during defensive dives for football shots

The kinetic demands of a football goalkeeper (GK) involve preventing opposing shots from entering the goal, which requires rapid and well-coordinated defensive actions. However, the biomechanics of these preparatory movements, particularly in response to diverse shot scenarios, remain insufficiently understood. Herein, the biomechanical characteristics intrinsic to the preparatory movements executed by GKs during defensive diving are elucidated. Three-dimensional coordinate data of the 10 GKs and 5 strikers were captured using two synchronized motion capture systems comprising cameras with an analog synchronization signal. A total of 172 trials were analyzed, during which GKs dived toward shots. GKs leaned forward, flexed their lower limbs, externally rotated and abducted the hips, and positioned their feet at 70–75% of leg length to respond quickly to shots. Preparatory takeoff occurred concurrently with the striker support leg contact, and GKs adjusted their movements after the striker-ground contact. These findings underscore the importance of effective preparatory movements for enhancing shot-stopping abilities, while also providing insights for optimizing training protocols to improve GKs adaptability and precision during matches.

Evaluation of a goalkeeper-specific motor coordination assessment in youth football

ABSTRACT Talent identification and development (TID) in football can be enhanced through objective assessments of talent predictors. Yet, available instruments rarely consider the unique demands of goalkeepers (GKs). During early phases of talent development, considering a GK’s giftedness relating to, for example, different abilities (e.g. motor coordination), can complement views on highly specialized GK-specific attributes (e.g. technical skills). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate a GK-specific motor coordination assessment to support TID in football at early developmental phases. Six tests were designed to assess ball control relevant to GKs. Their content and face validity were confirmed by independent experts (N = 8). The assessment was evaluated with GKs selected for the German Football Association’s TID program (U12-U15; N = 120). This study examined the assessment’s test–retest reliability and agreement, the structural validity, and the concurrent validity. The overall test score demonstrated good test–retest reliability, although some individual tests showed lower coefficients. Additionally, limited agreement between repeated measurements due to considerable measurement error as well as issues with the structural validity of the test battery were identified. Nevertheless, the findings support the assessment’s concurrent validity as higher-rated (i.e. more talented) GKs outperformed lower-rated individuals. Yet, the test battery’s diagnostic accuracy is not high enough to justify individual decisions for talent selection. Overall, these findings support the consideration of motor coordination as a talent predictor in youth GKs and emphasize the assessment’s potential to enhance coaches’ evaluations. The identified psychometric weaknesses in some individual tests provide impetus to further optimize the test battery.

Positional assessment of Concentration among Mysore University Inter-collegiate Male Hockey Players

The Purpose of this investigation was to explore the level of Concentration between different positional play of Mysore University Inter-Collegiate Male Hockey players, the aged between 18 to 22 years. The researcher has randomly selected 165 Male Field Hockey Players those who were Participated in Mysore city inter collegiate Hockey tournament and those who are practicing regularly. The researcher was classified the total samples into eleven (11) categories according to positional play, such as Center forward, right in and right out, Left in and Left out, Center Mid, Right and Left Mid, Left defender, Right &amp; Left Defender and Goal Keeper and the samples were consisted fifteen (N=15) for each position. The Knox Cube imitation test was administered to know the level of concentration among selected subjects. In order to examine the hypotheses of the study one-way ANOVA test was used for multiple comparisons between mean scores of players in different positions for variables of concentration. The findings of the investigation showed that, the Concentration level was found to be higher for goal keeper than the other positional players. Whereas, the left midfielder had low level of concentration when compare with others which was clearly indicated that, there were significant differences in concentration of selected field hockey players with positional wise. On the basis of the present investigation, it will be summarized that the concentration was influencing by different positional play.

Influence of Positional Play on Intelligence Ability of Mysuru University Inter-collegiate Male Hockey Players

The purpose of the study was to explore the Influence of positional play on the intelligence ability of University Inter-collegiate male hockey players. The researcher selected 165 male field hockey players who represented Mysore city inter collegiate and Chamundi zone championships. The player were selected by positional play, such as forwards (N=75), midfielders (N=45), fullbacks (N=30) and goal keepers (N=15) and they were assessed for intelligence ability. The subjects were assembled and explained the procedure and purpose of the tests before the administration of the tests. They were administered Raven’s progressive matrices Intelligence test for intelligence. To find out the influence of positional play, One-way ANOVA and Scheffe’s post hoc tests for multiple comparisons between mean scores of players in different positions was applied for intelligence scores. The results revealed that, the Goal keepers had the maximum scores in Intelligence compared to other players playing in other positions and Positional play did not influence extent of errors both in ascending and descending series. Goal keepers were found to be better in intelligence, than the players in other playing positions. Goal keepers had the maximum intelligence scores, followed by Centre midfielder, Right defender, Left defender, others are placed in between and Left midfielder having the least intelligence scores.

Coaches’ perceptions on the Spread: A 1 vs 1 goalkeeper technique. International survey on 400 + goalkeeper coaches

In this study, we explore goalkeeper (GK) coaches’ knowledge and use of the Spread, a 1v1 goalkeeping technique, and their experiences and perceptions on injury risks related to it. An online questionnaire was distributed internationally between January and March 2023, collecting a total of 411 complete answers (largest sample of GK coaches to date). GK coaches’ demographics were used to explore significant differences between answers. Almost all coaches recognized (99%) and used (78%) the technique. Coaches recommended to start training the Spread from a Recreational level and at an age of 11.3 ± 2.8. Contact with another player was the most (67%) perceived type of injury risk; 38% of the coaches recalled at least one player getting injured performing the Spread ( Elite level coaches significantly more likely, p &lt; .01); with Contusion (16.3%) and Musculo-skeletal (15.8%) being the most recalled type of injuries. Most coaches perceived no injury risk differences between male and female GK (68.1%), nor between young and adult GK (41.1%). These results show the Spread's popularity among GK coaches while highlighting knowledge gaps in some areas (e.g., technical execution, sources of knowledge). Both researchers and stakeholders can leverage from the results to develop and improve GK-coaching interventions, particularly in the field of injury prevention.

Effects of the number of ball touches among elite youth players during small-sided soccer games.

This study investigates the effects of manipulating the number of ball touches (free play vs. two touches) on the physical and technical actions of elite male youth soccer players during 5v5 + 2 goalkeepers (GKs) small-sided games (SSGs). Players played in two different SSGs: 1) free play, where the number of touches per possession was not restricted; and 2) two touches, where players were limited to a maximum of two touches per ball possession. A total of 24 male elite youth soccer players (age: 14.79±0.71 years; body mass: 56.02±1.41 kg; body height: 164±2.12 cm) participated in the study. Players' physical metric and technical performance data were captured using a global positioning system and video camera, respectively. A paired-samples t-test or Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test was employed to examine differences in players' technical performance variables depending on SSGs' ball-touch rules. The results show significantly more unsuccessful passes (t=-3.48; P=0.04; d=1.92) when players were limited to two touches than when there were no pass limits. The physical metrics indicate that total distance covered (Z=-2.90; P=0.001; d=0.07), meters per minute (Z=-3.44; P=0.001; d=0.11), low-speed running (Z=-2.25; P=0.02; d=0.04) and high acceleration (Z=-1.90; P=0.05; d=0.28) were significantly higher when touches were unlimited than when they were not. Soccer coaches should decide the number of touches per ball possession they allow depending on their tactical and/or physical objectives in training.

A Comparative Study of the Effects of Small-Sided Game Formats on Internal Load and Technical Responses in Soccer

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of game formats on soccer players' internal load and technical responses during small-sided games (SSGs) of the 2-a-side and 4-a-side. Twenty-four male soccer players played three SSGs: possession, mini-goal (MG), and goalkeeper (GK). The SSG interventions were randomly allocated to six training intervention groups using SSGs performed in possession, MG, and GK game formats. The internal load was assessed using the perceived exertion (RPE), enjoyment scale, and visual analog scale (VAS) rating during each SSG session. Mental Readiness Form-3 (MRF-3) was evaluated pre- and post-game for mental preparedness. Technical actions were also conducted using video footage captured during all SSG sessions. A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed to evaluate any significant differences in performance across the different SSGs. Following the interventions, RPE and VAS scores differed considerably between the MG and GK games in the 2-a-side game (P

Analysing the manipulation of the number of players on tactical, technical, and physical performance in youth futsal

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to comprehensively describe and compare the effects of different practice tasks, specifically 4 × 4, 3 × 3, 2 × 2 with goalkeepers (GK) in a 40 × 20 m field court. Forty-two male U17 players (age = 15.62 ± 0.58 years) from three futsal teams participated in the study. The tactical-technical offensive and defensive actions were measured using Videobserver® software. To measure external load (EL) and internal load (IL) during futsal tasks, the WIMU PROTM Ultra-Wideband (UWB) tracking system was used. To compare the tasks, the ANOVA for repeated measures was used. Results revealed that the reduction on the number of players contributed to increase the number of passing and shooting actions, while a generalised increase in physical and physiological responses were observed. In general, the major differences were observed between GK + 2 × 2 + GK and GK + 3 × 3 + GK in relation to GK + 4 × 4 + GK while some differences in physical and tactical-technical actions were also observed between GK + 2 × 2 + GK and GK + 3 × 3 + GK. Thus, the reduction on the number of players in large games can be considered a pedagogical strategy to promote an increase in the tactical-technical actions, such as passing and shooting actions, increasing the physical intensity of players.

External load of different format small-sided games in youth football players in relation to age

Background Monitoring of training tasks allows coaches to have a better knowledge of the loads applied to their players. Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze the variations in external load in small-sided games (SSGs) with young players U-12, U-15, and U-23 and compare the external load between age categories in each of the SSGs. Methods A group of 24 male soccer players performed five consecutive different formats of four vs. four SSGs composed of 3 minutes of play/rest. GPS devices were used during the tasks (WIMU PRO™). The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0, using descriptive statistics, graphical statistics, and ANOVA to compare the results between SSGs and between age groups. Results The increase in field areas promotes the increase of distance (DIST) covered and the high metabolic load distance (HMLd), with and without a goalkeeper (GK). The SSGs with GK recorded fewer PL values compared to SSGs without GK. In the U-12 and U-15 age groups, GK use promotes more acceleration (AC) and deceleration (DEC) of high intensity (&gt;3 m/s2). The results also show that the larger areas are promoters of high-speed running (HSR). Age influences some external load variables (DIST, AC, DEC, HMLd) in the game formats studied. Conclusions The SSG formats analyzed using GK are promoters of high-intensity neuromuscular activity. Larger areas promote more high-speed displacement. Age is an influence on the external load in different SSGs.

The Influence of Catching Ball Reaction Speed Training on the Reaction Speed of the Goal Keepers

This study aims to determine the effect of ball catching reaction speed training on goalkeepers at MI Attaraqqie Malang City students. In this study, 16 meetings were carried out for 6 weeks, and 2 meetings were made forpretest and posttest. The method used in this study is an experimental method that uses a normality test and a T test. The research was carried out at the MI Attaraqqie school and forpretest andposttest conducted on the campus of State University of Malang. The number of samples that took part in the exercise was 5 students at MI Attaraqqie Malang City by using the total population. The instrument used is by using tools whole body reaction. For analysis using the normality test and T test. The results of data analysis were obtained with a value of 0.012&gt; 0.05, , which means that the value is significant. Based on the results of the data analysis conducted, it was stated that there was a significant increase in the ball catching reaction speed exercise on the reaction speed of the goalkeeper at MI Attaraqqie Malang City students.

The open Latarjet-Patte procedure for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability in professional handball players at a mean follow-up of 6.6 years

The popularity of team handball is increasing with over 10 million children playing this overhead, throwing and collision sport with highest demands on the shoulder joint. Due to the risk for recurrent instability, the Latarjet-Patte (LP) procedure has been recommended to treat young competitive players. This is the first LP outcome study in professional handball. We included 20 shoulders retrospectively (18 players/17 males/mean age 22.9 years, range 17-35 years; minimum/mean follow-up: 2/6.6 years) operated on by three expert surgeons (2011-2020) with Walch's LP-technique. Preoperative hyperlaxity (25%/n=5), affected throwing arm (55%/n=11), position (backcourt, winger, goalkeeper: 22% each; full back, pivot: 17% each), >2 dislocations prior (20%/n=4), >10 dislocations (5%/n=1), previous failed Bankart/HAGL repair (10%/n=2) and large Hill-Sachs lesions (HSL: 20%/n=4) were documented. Clinical and radiographic outcomes, visual analogue scale (VAS), subjective shoulder value (SSV), Walch-Duplay (WDS), Rowe score (RS) and return to sports (RTS) parameter were recorded. RTS was 85% (n=17/20), RTS to same-level 80% (n=16/20), RTS with no throwing pain 73% (n=8/11), time to training with ball: 3.2/12 and to competition 4.9/12. The mean RS, WDS and SSV were 90, 88, 89 % respectively. Shoulder symptoms lead to giving up handball in 2 cases (10%). One player (5%) stopped for other reasons. One recurrent dislocation (5%) was recorded (non-throwing arm, winger, no recurrence after rehabilitation). Persistent apprehension occurred in one goalkeeper (5%). Four shoulders showed residual pain (20%) relieved in one by screw removal. Resistant pain (throwing shoulder) was seen in 2 backcourt players (10%/one large HSL) and one goal keeper (5%/large HSL; >10 dislocations prior), all three >30years of age. Bone block positioning was correct (no lateral overhang) in all shoulders. One shoulder (5%) showed mild arthritic changes at final follow-up (>10 dislocations, large HSL). The open Latarjet-Patte is consistent in providing shoulder stability combined with return to throwing performance in professional handball players with a short time to RTS and high same-level RTS rate without increasing the risk of arthritic changes. Throwing shoulders of backcourt players, with large HSL or shoulders at age >30 years may have an increased risk for persistent symptoms.

Comparison of dynamic and static balance among professional male soccer players by position

PurposeBalance is an important performance aspect of all athletes. The aim of this study was to compare static and dynamic balance in soccer players in different positions. MethodsForty youth and young adult professional soccer players were divided into four groups according to their playing positions: goalkeepers (GK), defenders (DF), midfielders (MF) and forwards (FW) (10 per position). Static and dynamic balance assessed on the dominant and non-dominant legs were measured using a force platform for 30s (static one-leg stand), and “Y Balance Test” (dynamic balance). ResultsGK exhibited greater ML static balance (less ML sway) compared with other players (p < 0.02–0.001). Moreover, results demonstrated better GK dynamic balance compared to DF and FW (p < 0.04–0.006). MF showed better dynamic balance than DF and FW (p < 0.019–0.007) and lower dynamic balance scores were found among DF and FW (p < 0.05). ConclusionIn conclusion, these results affirm position-specific balance performance with greater static and dynamic balance of GK and dynamic balance with MF. It is suggested that evaluation of balance and postural control performance should be considered a relevant part of the position-specific functional evaluation of soccer players.

Analysis of individual performance indicators of football goalkeeper

One of the most widely used strategies for performance analysis in different sports is notational analysis through direct observation of technical-tactical actions, which allows to understand the main indicators of sporting performance of the players, both individually and collectively. Football goalkeepers (GKs) are involved in the game differently when compared to the rest of the players in the team and, therefore, they develop different high-level and high-intensity tactical-technical actions. Therefore, the present work aimed to analyse the different performance indicators of football GKs through a search in the following databases: Web of Science (WOS), Scopus (Elsevier), PubMed (NIH) and, SPORTDiscus (EBSCO), until February 2023. The following keywords were used: "Football" or "Soccer", "Goalkeeper" and "Performance analysis". The results show that the main performance indicators are the percentage of avoided goals, the distribution of the ball at the goal kick as well as the number of offensive and defensive actions. Therefore, training sessions should be planned and implemented aimming to improve these skills.

How Do Football Playing Positions Differ in Body Composition? A First Insight into White Italian Serie A and Serie B Players

The present study aimed to investigate how playing positions differ in specific body composition variables in professional soccer players with respect to specific field zones and tactical lines. Five hundred and six Serie A and B professional soccer players were included in the study and analyzed according to their playing positions: goalkeepers (GKs), central backs (CBs), fullbacks (FBs), central midfielders (MIDs), wide midfielders (WMs), attacking midfielders (AMs), second strikers (SSs), external strikers (ESs), and central forwards (CFs), as well as their field zones (central and external) and tactical lines (defensive, middle, and offensive). Anthropometrics (stature and body mass) of each player were recorded. Then, body composition was obtained by means of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). GKs and CFs were the tallest and heaviest players, with no differences from each other. Likewise, GKs and CFs, along with CBs, were apparently more muscular (for both upper and lower limbs) and fatter at the same time compared with the other roles. Overall, players of the defensive line (CBs and FBs), along with those playing in central field zones (CBs, MIDs, AMs, SSs, and CFs), were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) superior in almost all anthropometric and body composition variables than those of middle and offensive line and external zones, respectively.

중·고등학생 핸드볼 선수들의 포지션별 손상 실태 조사: 파일럿 연구

This study aims to provide basic data for middle and high school elite handball athletes to investigate and analyze injury areas, injury tissues, and causes of injury during training and competition considering the characteristics of technical movements by position. 111 middle and high school elite handball athletes (15 pivot(PV), 16 center back(CB), 21 left winger(LW), 14 right winger(RW), 12 left back(LB), 16 right back(RB), 17 goalkeeper(GK)) registered in Korean Sport & Olympic Committee who surveyed. The positions that showed the most injury during the competition were CB (43 cases), GK (27 cases), and PV (24 cases). For CB positions, it was shown as fingers (13.95%), face, knee, and ankle (9.30%), for GK positions, it was shown as elbow, wrist, finger, and ankle (11.11%), and for PV positions, it was shown as face, knee, and ankle (12.50%). The positions that showed the most injury during training were GK (37 cases), CB (36 cases), and PV (31 cases). In the GK position, ankle (21.62%), wrist (10.81%), and face, waist, and hip (8.11%), in the CB position, knee (16.67%), finger (13.89%), and ankle (8.33%), in the PV position, ankle (19.35%), finger, and knee (16.13%). The positions that showed the most injury tissues during the competition were CB position, it was found to be skin (35.14%), muscle and ligaments (16.22%), in the GK position, bone and ligaments (28.57%) and muscle (17.86%) and in the LW position, it was found to be ligaments (44.00%), muscle (20.00%), and skin (16.00%). The positions that showed the most injury tissues during the training were LW positions were ligament (44.12%), bone (26.47%), and tendon (14.71%), CB positions were skin (30.30%), tendon (21.21%), ligament (18.18%), ligament (26.67%), muscle (23.33%), and GK positions were ligament (3.67%), and skin (10.3%). Due to the nature of the handball sport, the risk of occurrence should be reduced by combining injury prevention training with sports that show landing after jumping, instantaneous change of direction, fast sprint, contact between athletes, and high intensity movements. Therefore, it is thought that middle and high school elite handball athletes need to develop a injury prevention program to prevent injury and improve their performance before going to the stage of chronic injury.

Running more than before? The evolution of running load demands in the English Premier League

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess running load trends (total distance (TD), high-intensity distance (HID; &gt; 5.5ms−1) and sprinting distance (SprD; &gt; 7ms−1)) in the English Premier League (EPL) between the 2014/2015 and 2018/2019 seasons using a semi-automated optical tracking system. Methods A total of 1634 games across 5 seasons (2014/2015–2018/2019) were analysed for team and positional TD, HID and SprD. All matches were tracked using TRACAB® Gen-4 HD motion cameras. Data were analysed to identify significant team and positional differences for each metric. Results Small to moderate increases were seen in team running load for TD ( p = 0.02; effect size (ES): 0.21), HID ( p &lt; 0.001; ES: 0.88) and SprD ( p &lt; 0.001; ES: 0.67) between 2014/2015 and 2018/2019. Positional analysis showed significant increases in TD for all except for defensive midfielders (DM), attacking midfielders (AM) and wide midfielders (WM) ( p &lt; 0.001–0.009; ES: 0.14–0.36); HID for all positions excluding goalkeepers (GK) ( p &lt; 0.001–0.007; ES: 0.2–0.54) and SprD for all positions except for GK, central midfielders (CM) and AM, ( p &lt; 0.001–0.020; ES: 0.19–0.39). Trivial to small differences were seen in season-to-season comparisons for TD ( p &lt; 0.001–0.023; ES: −0.16–0.52), HID ( p &lt; 0.001–0.033; ES: 0.10–0.38) and SprD ( p &lt; 0.001–0.025; ES: 0.13–0.27) for both team and positional differences. Conclusion Small to moderate increases in team TD, HID and SprD occurred in the EPL between 2014/2015 and 2018/2019, with trivial to small changes in season-to-season variations. Actual changes in running load over time appear to be dependent on playing position. Running load trends should be updated regularly and practitioners should be aware of the variability within their team, and programme accordingly.

The Relationship Between Subjective Wellness and External Training Load in Elite English Premier League Goalkeepers and a Comparison With Outfield Soccer Players.

To investigate the relationship between training load and subjective wellness in English Premier League goalkeepers (GKs) and examine potential positional differences in subjective wellness. A total of 34 players (GK = 7, outfield = 27) completed a daily subjective wellness questionnaire assessing sleep quality, sleep hours, fatigue, mood, soreness, and total wellness over two and a half seasons. Ten-Hertz GPS devices were worn during training to calculate previous-day and 7-day total distance, player load, total dives, total dive load, average time to feet, and high, medium, and low jumps. All previous 7-day training loads were associated with all wellness markers (r = .073 to .278, P < .05). However, associations between previous 7-day dive load and mood, average time to feet, and both sleep quality and quantity, and between low jumps and sleep quality, were not significant. For previous-day metrics, total distance was associated with all wellness markers (r = .097 to .165, P < .05). In addition, player load and high jump were associated with fatigue, soreness, and wellness (r = .096 to .189, P < .05). Total dives and soreness were also related (r = .098, P < .05), and relationships were evident between average time to feet, medium jumps, and all wellness markers excluding sleep quality (r = .114 to .185, P < .05). No positional differences in subjective wellness occurred (P > .05). Some GK GPS variables are associated with subjective wellness, which could inform training-load prescription to maximize recovery and performance. In addition, GKs are no more vulnerable to poorer subjective wellness when compared with outfield players.

Goalkeeping in Modern Football: Current Positional Demands and Research Insights

The goalkeeper (GK) in association football arguably presents a critical playing position within a modern game that often appears to be highly dynamic, unpredictable, and constantly changing. Because of the privilege in using the hands and FIFA’s “back-pass law,” the list of GK tasks extends to a wide range of responsibilities in possession of the ball and when defending the goal and space. With the aim of providing an applied overview of the complex GK demands in the modern football game and consequences for position-specific coaching, the following article presents current practical advances on the various areas of physical, tactical–technical, mental/psychological, and social GK development. To further showcase complex GK tasks and actions, a framework of tactical–technical areas in goalkeeping is introduced and linked to recent empirical research in the field of goalkeeping and coaching. This understanding of position-specific demands may support future development of individualised, athlete-centred training interventions, coaching approaches, and match performance analysis. Along the way, the article offers several avenues for future research contributions to this unique field within football studies and further aims to stimulate readers’ and coaches’ thoughts about various matters related to specialist and individual development coaching.