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Goalkeeper puzzle: U12 doesn't try to develop goalkeeping skills but is insistent on playing in goal

Philip Oakley

Hi All,

Looking for some advice on how to approach a situation I have with a goalkeeper.

We're U12 going into U13 next season and I'm struggling to know what is right to do with him as my gut is telling me football just isn't right for him, particularly being a goalkeeper.

He's a lovely young lad and this is is second season after being not having a home when a majority of his former team became a JPL team. 

My challenge is he just doesn't feel like he wants to play football other than liking the idea of being in a team. I try to set a handful of growth challenges across the season for each player and there's just a reluctance to train and to grow. Effort, fitness, and courage to develop have been core principles of what I've outlined since we were U8 with both parents and players.

To help illustrate some of the areas he's reluctant to take on

- Full dives

- Distribution from hands

- Communicating he wants the ball (collecting, receiving back passes)

Realistically this lower level of intent and commitment has led to some really obvious errors and is a direct cause of 1/3 goals conceded. The other component is at training he doesn't engage in any of the movement based practices like netball, dodgeball, footwork exercises.

I've been completely committed to equal minutes since U8, and have started move away from this ever so slightly based on attitude and effort at training as I firmly believe in meritocracy as they are now at secondary school.

I'm really at a crossroads as I firmly believe in football for all but having the player in the team is starting to feel like babysitting as opposed to coaching. Which as they approach year 8 I would want to see children involved in the activities they love not just because it's something to do.

The rest of the 12 are very keen on becoming their best, not necessarily the best, which is a core I've outlined since the first session. So the conundrum is facilitating one or two players who dont offer the same level of commitment - not every week as they are 12 but as a general standard.

Really appreciate any insight, as my gut is telling me I should be honest with his parents and say that he should not sign up next season and find something he loves.

Thanks

Parents
  • 0

    We’re in a similar position with one of our U14 keepers. We rotate between two players (one half each) and one is far more dedicated and determined than the other. We've questioned whether the rotation works for them and the wider team. We ended up asking ourselves whether we’re giving him enough time and the dedicated training he needs to develop and grow in confidence. In other words are we doing enough for him? Last week for the first time we split the keepers from the rest of the squad and ran a few dedicated goalkeeper routines. The feedback was good. You could see him starting to grow and they started supporting each other. It will take time, but this way we've done everything we can possibly do. 

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  • 0

    We’re in a similar position with one of our U14 keepers. We rotate between two players (one half each) and one is far more dedicated and determined than the other. We've questioned whether the rotation works for them and the wider team. We ended up asking ourselves whether we’re giving him enough time and the dedicated training he needs to develop and grow in confidence. In other words are we doing enough for him? Last week for the first time we split the keepers from the rest of the squad and ran a few dedicated goalkeeper routines. The feedback was good. You could see him starting to grow and they started supporting each other. It will take time, but this way we've done everything we can possibly do. 

Children
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