The goalkeeper is a unique position on a soccer team and requires special attention when it comes to evaluating them.  Listed below are criteria of the attributes the top goalkeepers should possess as well as aspects of their game they should be accomplished in.  Goalkeepers playing at a high level like that of the Super-Y League should be an accomplished in the following areas.

SHOT-STOPPING (Defending their goal)

• Handling

1. Do they catch balls they can handle or do the parry them? 
2. Do they make simple plays look difficult or difficult opportunities look easy?

• Range

1.  Do they stop shots within their frame or can they cover a large area of the goal?

• Angle play

1. Does he make himself look big when he closes the shooter down or does he stay on his line and look smaller?

DEALING WITH CROSSES (Defending the 18-yard box)

• What kind of range does the goalkeeper have – handling crosses inside the six yard box/twelve yards out/18 yards out?

• Does the goalkeeper catch most of his crosses or does he box balls that he should handle?

• Decision-making: does he come/stay when he should depending on the service?

• Can the goalkeeper initiate a counter-attack after receiving the ball?

 

CONNECTED WITH BACK FOUR (Defending the space behind their defense)

• Is there a large gap in between the defense and the goalkeeper (i.e. – Is the goalkeeper inside his six yard box while the ball is on the other side of the field?)

• Are there opportunities for the opposition to play balls behind the defense, and how did the goalkeeper handle those situations (decisive, courageous)?

• Were there any scoring opportunities that were eliminated by the goalkeeper being able to come out and win ball (dealing with through balls/decision-making)?

• What kind of information does the goalkeeper give to the players in front of him: organizing defense, talking to teammates when in possession?

• Is the goalkeeper an option for defenders to play into (11th attacker)?

DISTRIBUTION

• Ability to deal with back passes from teammates (with left and right foot).

• Ability to distribute with feet (off ground; punt; drop-kick; goal kicks/dead balls).

• Ability to distribute with hands (throw, bowl).

• Decision-making: When to try to initiate a counter attack and when to slow the game down; when to throw vs. bowl/ kick vs. punt? Can they keep possession or are they creating 50-50 opportunities?

ORGANIZATIONAL/COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• What kind of environment does the goalkeeper create – is there a lot of commotion inside their 18-yard box or is it organized?

• How does the goalkeeper deal with set pieces?

• How does the goalkeeper interact with their teammates – does the goalkeeper ‘fix problems before they happen’ or does he/she scream and place blame after goals are conceded?

• What kind of information does he give his teammates after he distributes to them?