The Coaches' Room
11v11•Adult•Out of Possession

I spend half the game organising defenders who don't always want organising

Asked by SundayFloodlights
3651 views 2 replies
I'm vocal anyway, but our back four changes quite a lot and some players respond well to constant information while others get irritated by it. What does a goalkeeper actually need to communicate, rather than talking for the sake of talking?

VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

A goalkeeper's communication should make the next decision easier. If you are talking constantly but the information does not change anything, defenders will eventually stop hearing it. Prioritise information they cannot see easily: pressure from behind, a runner on the blind side, whether they have time, the height of the line and whether you are coming for a ball. Use names and keep the call early. You do not need to comment on every pass or every movement. Give defenders some space to solve the obvious pictures themselves. It is also worth learning how different teammates respond. One centre-back may want constant information; another may only need the key call. Your voice should create clarity, not noise. If players trust that you speak when it matters, your communication usually becomes more effective even though you are saying less.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 2 replies

R

RainyTuesdayUK

Assistant Coach

Keep the messages that actually change an action. 'Man on', 'keeper', 'hold', 'time'. If every touch gets commentary, defenders stop separating useful information from noise.
B

BackPostAgain

Player

As a full-back I agree. I want the keeper to tell me what I can't see, not narrate what I'm already looking at. One early call is worth five late ones.

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