Whether it is diving for the ball on a soccer field, controlling your angles to prevent a puck from entering the goal on the ice, or scrambling to trap the ball during close-range scenarios on a lacrosse field, the physical and mental demands of goalkeepers make the position one of the most difficult in sports.
A goalkeeper blocks shots when they get past the rest of their team’s players, so are considered the last line of defense, Conner Nocas, Sophomore Boys’ Soccer Goalie, said. Because most shots are completely unpredictable, goalies must either be able to predict what move the opponent is going to make, or be prepared to dive in the direction the ball is going, Nocas said.
In both cases, the goalie is required to make quick decisions that could potentially cost their team a win or save them from a loss, Nocas said. Because of the high pressure demands that come with the role, most would view the position of a goalkeeper to be one of the hardest on the field, senior Caroline Lato, Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Goalie, said.
“Getting a ball shot at you at speeds of 70 mph isn’t for everyone,” Lato said. “The thrill that follows those saves, though, is one of the things that makes being goalie worth it.”
Junior Aiden Austria, JV Boys’ Soccer Goalie, said the role of a goalkeeper requires lots of diving and sudden movements. It is important for them to stay warmed up and well stretched before every game, Austria said. The main physical demand of playing goalkeeper is the ability to move around quickly enough to defend the entirety of the goal area, Austria said, making it important for them to consistently work on their flexibility.
“Stretching as a goalie is really important,” Austria said. “We always have to stay loose to come up with those good saves.”
Alongside fast reflexes and the ability to quickly dive for a save, one of the most important skills is mental toughness, being able to block out any worries or doubts after a save is missed, junior Thomas Preston, Boys’ Varsity Hockey Goalie, said. Staying stuck on one bad miss can lead to worse mistakes that can put the team at risk of a loss, Preston said.
“I always tell myself the same thing after I miss a save,” Preston said. “The only thing that matters is the next shot. Forget the past and move onto the present. Mentality is a big part of being goalkeeper, and when trained correctly, it can really be used to your advantage.”
Although being a goalie takes a lot of confidence and consists of many stressful moments, praise from coaches and teammates after a hard game is one of the feelings that makes being a goalie special, Austria said. Making saves during high-pressure situations such as penalty shootouts or breakaways, Austria added, is one of the most satisfying moments for a goalkeeper.
“One of my favorite parts of playing goalkeeper is the excitement of making big saves and stopping the other team from scoring,” Austria said. “It gives you a huge confidence boost, and when you’re making these saves, hearing your teammates cheer makes it all worth it.”
