USYSA National Convention : Salt Lake City, Utah

Goalkeepers and the Backpass Rule : Chris Ducar

Chris Ducar, National director of Soccer Plus Goalkeeper Academy, set up a session acquainting goalkeepers on how to train with defenders with the backpass and use a higher line of defense effectively.

A group of six goalkeepers rotated in goal, along with 8 field players. The players ideally would be defenders and forwards. Defenders naturally would need to be comfortable playing the ball back to the keeper with pressure, and forwards need to learn the tendencies and mistakes keepers and defenders would make in this situation to capitalize on it. The pressure in the exercises would be more realistic and help both sides of the ball.

Practice Example 1:

Keeper in goal . Sets up in starting line position, determined by the time it would take the keeper to reach the crossbar to cover an air ball from the point of the kick. Ball is played through by the goalkeeper coach with a defender following and a striker chasing late. Keeper traps the ball, and the defender goes off to the flank. Keeper can play the trapped pass to either flank targets. No real pressure involved from striker. Varied types of balls can be played back, like bouncing balls over the top. etc.

Practice Example 2:

Keeper in goal. Ball is played through and the defender and striker are in hot pursuit of the pass. Keeper must decide whether to call for the backpass and trap, call for the backpass and clear, or come off the line and clear the ball away from both. Defenders should trace the path of the through pass to legally obstruct direct path to the ball by the striker. (Pressure increase as the keepers and defenders get more comfortable in the exercise session.)

Practice Example 3:

Keeper in goal. Ball is played through "over the top" with the same scenario as above.

Practice Example 4:

Keeper in goal . Practice collecting throw-ins from the touchline with foot or thigh trapping skills.

Practice Example 5:

Keeper in goal. Ball is played through from another player. Striker "over-pressures" keeper on right foot to force miskick or mistake.

Match Related Games

5v5 , two keepers , two full size goals. One team of 5 works on possession , while the other tries to go to goal. Possession team should work the ball through the keeper to be "one player up" in possession.

5v5, two keepers, two full size goals. Similar as before but this time both teams go to goal, with a restriction that they must use the keeper on a backpass before scoring.

Conclusion/Points of Emphasis

Keepers must be comfortable using both feet and develop good field related collecting skills to be used effectively on a backpass.

Keepers must know their "off the line" distance in relation to the ball and time it takes them to retreat to the crossbar in case of a long flighted ball instead of a through ball.

Keepers should not leave the "ball line" until the backpass is made.

Keepers should practice clearing balls with both feet up the line .

Keepers should demand the backpass early if it is necessary, possibly on the defender’s second touch of the ball.

When playing the ball out of the back, it is important that the keeper gives good information and gives good passing angles for their partners.

Defenders need to work with keepers under match pressure situations to gauge the angle and weight of the pass played back.

One vs One with the National Team coaches

At the Adidas USYSA National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, I got to ask National Team coaches Tony DiCicco and Lauren Gregg about the demands of the goalkeeper at the top levels of the game. Tony and Lauren identified some characteristics that keepers should have to play at the highest level of the National Team.

1. Technically the keeper should be sound. The keeper should be able to field shots and crosses comfortably, with no unnecessary rebound potential. Today’s keeper must be able to field backpasses with their feet and play accurate passes out of the back.

2. Tactically the keeper should make good decisions on when to stay on the line and when to come out and challenge the ball.

3. Physically the keeper should be very athletic. Tony says one of the great strengths of Brianna Scurry is the incredible saves that she is capable of , especially diving side to side.

4. Pyschologically the keeper should have an inner strength the rest of the team can draw on. For example, Tracey Noonan’s intensity in practice and in games projects a team confidence in her ability to make the big save or come off the line. Tony says that Brianna has an uncanny ability get calmer and more composed, with greater concentration when the action is more furious and intense.