Being a back up goalkeeper

The reality is that NOBODY likes to be the back up goalkeeper or a back up soccer player. If you are an athlete who feels that you MUST be number 1 at everything and every time, or you are a parent who thinks that your child does not deserve to be a back up keeper then this blog may help you refocus a bit.

I have seen a number of amateur goalkeepers who were starting goalkeeper their entire careers but the moment a coach/team even hints around them being a back up goalkeeper or not having the starting position, these keepers completely fall apart, become bitter even hateful and once you reach this TOXIC attitude this will directly impact the team’s chemistry forever and possibly your career.

Sooner or later you will be a back up goalkeeper. You may encounter this as you move up in level.  For example, if you go to college, you may be going to a school with 2 or 3 goalkeepers already ahead of you so this could potentially put you on the bench for several seasons, at best, you could be allowed to split halves.  You can also fall in a team that have one goalkeeper who is simply better than you. Just because you have been a starting goalkeeper your entire career does not guarantee you anything but in case this happens know these valuable points:

Your Attitude:

There is nothing more uncomfortable and demoralizing to a team, than to have a teammate who is disturbed and very unhappy because he is on the bench. Those negative vibes and weird feelings will spread throughout the team like wild fire. This creates a very tough environment to train and compete as result, you are risking a chance to destroy whatever progress the team is making but worst, you risk a chance to get negative evaluations get kicked off the team and ruin everything you worked for to this point.

Learn to gracefully accept your ROLE as a back up goalkeeper. It is very important to be professional about this situation and support your starting goalkeeper with anything he needs such as, ball tosses, kicks, passes, corner kicks even some encouragement. This positive attitude approach simply takes away LOTS of stress in the team and the starting goalkeeper.  Furthermore, you can bet that your entire team and coaching staff is watching you, be a sincere teammate who is creating great team chemistry.

Your turn:

Do not worry, your turn will come!!!. However, you MUST make sure you are doing what it takes to stay competitive and to show the coaching staff and your team that you are ready to compete. Train harder than before, push yourself and stay positive. NO EXCUSES, ” but it’s hard to stay motivated when Im not playing“, NO EXCUSES, stay focused!!

Finally, the problem with amateur goalkeepers is that some of them have a strong sense of “entitlement”. Their parent expect them to be first at everything, never lose and never suffer, some kids are taught at home that failure is not an option. However, LIFE DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY, that’s a fact.

Learn to be patient in all aspect of life.  We ALL have been in a position to wait but what will determine how far you go in your goalkeeping career is what you do during this waiting period. So stay consistent & be positive.