Goalkeeper Controls

It goes without saying that the goalkeeper is a crucial position on the field. He can be used as the 11^th player on the field and can assist the defence in being the relief player for the big clear on a pass back. His positioning is crucial to the success of the team. Once he is in possession of the ball, there are several things he can do depending on what is happening in the game. A balanced keeper will be alert for back passes and get a good feel for how to best cut down a shooter’s angle.

Rush

This is always a calculated risk and should only be used as a last resort in preventing a breakaway goal. It is a very tough skill to master because if your keeper comes out too fast, the attacker can put one good move on and be in on an open goal. Likewise, if he holds back too long, the attacker can get a good look at the goal and pick his target. The following two diagrams will show you the importance of picking an angle that cuts down the attacker’s shooting options.

With the keeper back on his line, Rooney has plenty of target space to either side of the goal.

In this example Peter Cech rushes out to cut down Rooney’s angle. Rooney still might be able to hit the far post, but his finish has been made much more difficult.

Also be aware that the attacker may choose a chip shot. Some good advice is to make a strong commitment and go for it. You will learn as you play the timing of what works best and it does indeed depend highly on the ratings of your player.

Drop Kick

The drop kick is the best way to get the ball down field quickly. Check the radar before you let it fly. Make sure you target a player. Also, this is a good tool if when you gain possession of the ball you see a lot of your opponent’s players around you; it might be a good idea to hit the ball up field and possibly trigger a counter attack. However, unless you have a clear target player, it puts the ball up for a 50/50 challenge to maintain possession.