Your child wants to be a goalkeeper. what can you do to help them?
For some people the urge to keep goal comes at an early age. We've got some advice on how you can help your little one play in what's a very special position.
Suitable equipment for good protection
Your child may want to get kitted out like the goalies they see on the telly, in a short-sleeved jersey, shorts and no protective gear, but they need to protect themselves.
Explain to them that professional goalies touch the ball just 4 or 5 times during a match, on a pitch that's in perfect condition, but when they train, they protect themselves by wearing goalie's trousers, elbow and knee pads so they don't get injured and are able to play on the weekend.
Gloves, the goalkeeper's best friend
Gloves are of course crucial for your budding goalie when playing football.
For children, they are especially important to protect their hands. We advise goalies to wear gloves with a system that prevents the fingers from being bent backwards from a very early age. This system is especially effective in reducing the risk of bruising to the fingers later on, as an adult. The aim is to look ahead and safeguard against any risk of impact with the ground, ball, or players' feet.~
It is advisable for your child to have two pairs of gloves: one pair for matches, and another, older pair, for training. It is also advisable to have the same pair twice so you have the same sensation on the ball.
A key position
The position of goalkeeper is undoubtedly a special one, that will help your child to become more responsible. It can also be a frustrating position for a child, as they may not have much contact with the ball in certain matches.
As a parent, you can help your child to put things in perspective, as they will be judged every time they touch the ball, and every time they make a decision. Basically, unlike their team-mates, they only get one shot and can't hide when they are less efficient.
It's a known fact that all goalies relive the match, but there's no point going over it too much.
Help your child take a step back and understand that the goalie is also an observer who has a general view of the pitch and guides the other players.
This article was co-written with:
françois-xavier swiniarski
Kipsta product manager for balls and goalkeeper protective wear:
My football career is marked by the colours blood red and gold! I trained with the RC Lens junior national team, then moved into the Division d'Honneur followed by Division 3 for 4 years. I still play every week with the former players of RC Lens.
