Let’s take a look at some advantages and disadvantages to playing up in older groups . 

First, every athlete or goalkeeper is different. As result, they will not have the same physical, mental & tactical IQ required to compete at a higher age group.

Second, in soccer, the goalkeeper position is a very psychological position.  Therefore, by simply putting a goalkeeper in a higher age group is NOT going to magically make them better.  

See 2 potential problems when a goalkeeper or athlete is moved up to an older group.

Prob # 1, Developing bad habits

 Our society is OBSESSED with getting to the top, getting attention, winning & being #1 at ALL COST.  During your early learning stages is where you will gain ALL your fundamentals, psychological strength and CONFIDENCE. 

Any attempt to RUSH through this learning process will put the athlete in a DEFENSIVE MODE.  For example:  do you actually think if you get a highly intelligent 6th grader to take college classes, is that going to make him a strong and MATURE ADULT ?.  Not at all, all it does is make this 6th grader get through school faster.

Another example: 

A 12 yr old goalkeeper moved up to train with 16-18 yrs old goalkeepers, suddenly he/she is thrown in a group where shots are harder and training is possibly more intense.  Here’s where most of these young keepers end up creating bad habits. Most of these goalkeepers are simply trying to survive the training & not get scored on. 

For instance, a young keeper who’s HEIGHT and WEIGHT is not close to the older kids would put them in a disadvantage physically. Some of them can’t even touch the crossbar and now suddenly these young goalkeepers are getting higher & harder shots. They constantly get beat with overhead shots.

Bad technique and many other bad habits will appear

Some these great young keepers start losing their technique and begin doing things such as blocking everything instead of catching. Diving backwards, “cherry-picking” certain shots and saving the ones are easy.  Here’s where many of these keepers start second guessing themselves and eventually lose confidence. This is very tough! 

At this point, keepers/athletes will do anything to survive this training or higher level games.  They fall into BAD HABITS to be able to catch up or stay afloat in training.  Other athletes,  simply come up with all kinds of excuses to avoid training or to avoid embarrassment.  This becomes psychologically difficult because they do not want to let anyone else down to include themselves.

Prob # 2, INJURY probabilities will increase

Most people who are obsessed with being # 1 at all times, ignore the following: 

Many goalkeepers or athletes who’ve been playing UP are running a higher chance of getting hurt.  Mainly if they are not FULLY developed physically nor strong enough to keep up with the speed of play & training pace.   

Do not be surprised if you start seeing physical problems such as recurrent or frequent injuries & permanent damages for some athletes. 

Most youth soccer clubs with goalkeeper programs are very repetitive and easy to handle so this may be ok for almost any goalkeeper. 

Every time you rush things, expect problems!!!

Who should be playing UP?

Pay attention to this, it may save you from massive headaches in the future !!!

There are a number of youth soccer clubs who invite younger kids to train with older groups for various reasons.    The NUMBER 1 reason is because most of the time,  they do not have enough players or goalkeepers to have at their weekly training.   Therefore, to fill-up the space,  they invite players from younger teams.  They normally pick the “better” players.

However, some goalkeepers & Parents see this invitation as their “ticket to paradise”.  Now they feel ENTITLED to only be training with older groups for their rest of their careers.  it is absolutely mindblowing how upset parents & goalkeepers would get if they get told to play or train back in their regular or normal age group.

Here are few examples of who should be playing up

•  If the goalkeepers is 100% so far ahead of his/her age group. Their skill is absolutely SUPERIOR & tactically competent.  If this is the case then they NEED to be challenged at a higher level
• They should be PHYSICALLY capable (height, weight, power, speed etc). But they should be able to keep up or go beyond the training pace.

WRONG IDEAS to avoid!!

ALL PARENTS think their kids are great, (your kids are a gift from God, LOVE THEM).  However, parents and athletes MUST use common sense.  You should honestly observe if your child is going to truly benefit from moving UP or is this going to hurt them in the long run or even end up hating the sport. 

Do NOT get caught up with the HYPE some youth soccer clubs or coaches tell you.  Today, youth clubs will do anything or say anything to keep you in the club for money. 

Do not let your mind play tricks in your head.

• Just because your child is great, intelligent, athletic & better than other goalkeepers in her/his age group doesn’t mean they are ready for higher level competition.
• A sibling playing UP in the older age group. This has nothing to do with your child now, this doesn’t give you the spot in the higher group.
• You are CONVINCED that by putting your child with an older group they will get  get better much faster.  
• Other kids are doing it, so my kid should do the same.
• In your mind, you feel that your child MUST be better than everyone else. 

Final thoughts,

There are so many goalkeepers and athletes out there that NEED to be playing up in a higher level.  However, these are truly STANDOUTS.  They represent about 10% or a small group of athletes and  goalkeepers who require the extra boost. However, They are mentally and physically mature to move up.

There is NO SHAME to be the other 90% of goalkeepers or athletes who are simply working through their learning process.  There is really NO need to rush things in order to get ahead.  If you rush, you may hit a WALL where you are not able to learn nor advance in any way.

If you want to gain confidence and become psychologically ready to compete at a higher level and pace, then lean to trust your growing process.  You will STILL reach whatever goals you want.

If you are a gifted, mature & strong goalkeeper/ athlete then MOVE UP but ensure you keep learning all you can. Most powerful and confident goalkeepers in the world reach their peak in their early to mid 30’s. Therefore, you have long way to go!!