Goalie Blunders

Goalies rarely believe that they were responsible for goals scored against them. For the most part, this is correct as defensive lapses prior to the scoring shot are usually the cause. Obviously, goalies are not perfect and goals can be due to their error or misjudgment. Before you view some examples of several examples of poor goal tending, I want to review the USA's goal against Britain in the 21010 World Cup's group play.

Did Britain's Goalie Green Really Blunder??
Green was vilified for giving up an easy goal in a 1-0 loss to the USA. Ultimately, the USA advanced and Britain was eliminated at the end of the knockout round. I have a different take on "Green's Blunder" . Goalies are instructed to keep their arms parallel with the palms turned in on most saves. Balls that are low are usually scooped up. In all instances the ball is cradled to the chest for complete control.

Goalies follow shots from the instant they are launched. Sudden changes in the anticipated trajectory can throw their timing off. An especially tricky example of this is on straight on shots that take a last second bounce, much like the short hop that often leads to infielder errors in baseball. The field (pitch) was wet and Green had to quickly react to a ball that bounced twice, the second one about two feet in front of him. It is difficult to see in the video below, but in one of the instant replays during the game Green's right hand was bent out slightly. The ball was deflected off of this hand. Should Green have made the save--probably! The point is that it was not an easy a save as most people believed.

USA-England 2010 World Cup-Keeper Error.
--Green looked bad on play.
--Ball short hopped.
--Same as in infield play in baseball.
--Notice Green’s hands are too close together. Short hop changed his timing.
--Grass was wet.

Blunders in general.
--Not following the ball.
--Loss of focus.
--Check around you before releasing the ball.
--Just being human

Goalies Must Stay Alert

Goalies must must always follow the ball until play has stopped. If they cannot take possession on a save, they must keep their eye on the ball.

This video illustrates when can happen after a good save, when the goalie believes that he is out of danger since the ball is in front of him.

Players, whether a goalie making a save or an attacker attempting to score, must follow the ball. Sometimes an attacker turns away thinking that a save has been made only to discover that the goalie did not control the ball and an easy tap in was misses
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Other Goalies Who Were Not Alert

Understanding Soccer

Goalie Blunders

Goalies Must Stay Alert