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Andre Onana – The Goalkeeper Gloves That He Chose

Andre Onana is starting to come into his own, after a shaky start to life in Manchester.

We are slowly starting to see the performances that earnt him his plaudits, and got him to the Champions League final last year.

Onana currently has the second most clean sheets in the Premier League and is looking more assured between the sticks every week.

But what gloves does the Cameroonian trust at the highest level?

Answer – Rinat’s NKAM PRO

This model is made entirely to Andre Onana’s liking, who chose the construction, cut, and type of latex.

After several weeks of joint work between the goalkeeper and the brand, this was the glove that was decided…

Backhand

The construction of this glove is lightweight, with just the right amount of protection.

Andre Onana - His Rinat Goalkeeper Gloves

Breathex material is used in the body of the glove which provides a perfect fit, high levels of comfort, and of course, great breathability.

Rubber inserts are utilised in the main impact areas of the glove, to give that extra protection in the areas where it is needed most.

Cut

The formidable Roll Finger is the cut of choice here, in a version that was developed especially for Andre!

The latex of the palm almost completely wraps all the fingers, giving a larger surface area for gripping the ball.

This style only adds to its highly comfortable nature!

Palm

Rinat’s German AXG Formula latex takes this glove to that elite level.

Top grip, good resistance, and excellent performance. This latex is designed to thrive in even the most adverse conditions!

Closure

Onana went for a more modern approach in this part of the glove, with a strapless closure.

High comfort is a reoccurring theme on this model, and the closure is not an exception.

An elastic cuff offers practicality and a secure fit, so that there are no distractions when the shots are coming your way.

The NKAM PRO is currently available in three different colourways, including the Blue/Navy style which is worn by the man himself!

Shop all the latest goalkeeper gloves from all the major brands, at Just Keepers. We offer the best range of goalkeeper gloves, goalkeeper clothing and goalkeeper essentials anywhere in the world.

All of our products are hand picked to offer you all the products you need all in one place. Remember, we are the original online goalkeeper specialists…

Just Keepers – The Number Ones Number One

The Evolution of Modern Goalkeepers

Football is in a constant state of evolution. New styles of play. New formations. New tactics, ideas, innovations. Even new roles and positions are sometimes introduced, like full-backs who double-up as wingers or centre-backs or roam into defensive midfield.

It’s that evolution that makes the game so exciting from a tactical point of view. Fans are always waiting to see what comes next, what surprising ideas coaches might devise. For players, too, it can be intriguing to learn new ways of playing the game – and not just outfield players.

Goalkeepers have also seen their roles change an awful lot in recent times. This guide will take look at some of those changes and explore how they might affect the development of aspiring young keepers.

The Changing Face of Goalkeeping

If you have the time, go back and watch some clips of Premier League goalies from 20 or 30 years ago. Then watch some modern-day Premier League football, with keepers like Ederson, Alisson, Emi Martinez, and Nick Pope. The differences are striking, and it’s incredible to see just how much more involved in the game modern goalies tend to be.

Back in the nineties, keepers almost never left their area. They’d stick rigidly to the penalty box, relying on defenders to marshal forwards and cut out loose balls. These days, it’s not uncommon to see keepers several yards out of their area. They regularly rush out to close down opposing players. They kick-start attacking moves. They even get the odd assist.

In short, the role of the keeper has expanded enormously. In the past, playing between the sticks was purely about stopping shots and guarding the net. Apart from that, and booting the ball as far up the field as they could, goalies weren’t relied on for much else. Now, they’re expected to dictate the build-up play, read the game, sweep up, break defensive lines with their passes, and so much more.

Sweeping

The concept of the sweeper-keeper isn’t exactly a recent innovation. There are examples of sweeper-keepers going back as far as the 1950s. However, it took several decades for the concept to truly catch on. Nowadays, many of the best keepers in the game are more than comfortable at playing the sweeper role. Lots of top teams also rely on sweeper keepers to snuff out danger.

Sweeper-keepers have to be great readers of the game. They need to concentrate for the full 90 minutes, always ready to respond to dangerous situations. Their role is almost a hybrid of a keeper and a defender. When balls dissect the defensive line, the sweeper-keeper has to be ready to run out, claim the ball, and get play going again.

They also have to be capable of spotting dangerous situations and knowing when to come out of their box and when to sit back. For example, if an opposing forward seems ready to beat the offside trap and make a run on goal, a sweeper-keeper will need to anticipate that. They may even have to run out and tackle the opposing player to prevent a more dangerous one-on-one situation.

Ball-playing

If you keep up with football news, you’ll have most likely noticed how the phrase “ball-playing goalkeeper” seems to come up quite often. So many teams seem to be looking for ball-playing keepers now, and it’s not hard to see why. You only have to look at the impact of Ederson at Manchester City to see how this kind of keeper can improve a side.

As the name suggests, ball-playing keepers have to be able to play the ball. They’ll often try to keep the ball at their feet, rather than picking it up and rolling or throwing it out. This allows them to play more precise passes, through balls, or long balls over the top to help their side. They also use dribbling skills to advance the play or stop an opposing forward from stealing the ball from them.

Naturally, such keepers are defined by their passing ability. Whether it’s short or long passes, ball-playing keepers tend to have high success rates. They’re able to place the ball exactly where they want it, much more often than not. It’s a stark contrast to the keepers of yesteryear who simply kicked the ball as hard as they could and hoped for the best.

Playmaking

There are even goalkeepers today who are regarded as playmakers for their sides. An idea that would have seemed absurd just a couple of decades ago. After all, when you think of a traditional playmaker, you tend to think of attacking midfielders. They’re usually quite far up the pitch, in the perfect position to feed strikers and make things happen.

However, some of today’s leading keepers are also capable of playing dangerous long passes and creating chances for the forwards. They may not rack up huge numbers of assists, but they often instigate attacking movements by making positive, forward-thinking passes. This is, once again, so different from keepers of the past.

The big skills for modern keepers include passing, of course, but also the ability to read the game. They have to be hugely concentrated, tracking player movements and keeping an eye on their forwards. If one of their strikers makes a move, they have to be ready to track it and make the crucial pass, all in a fraction of a second.

Summing Up: Broaden Your Skillset to Future-Proof Your Keeping Career

One thing is clear. Today’s keepers need to be much more well-rounded than those of the past. Of course, reflexes, diving, and shot-stopping are still hugely important. But you need more than that to truly be a great keeper nowadays. You have to feel comfortable with the ball at your feet. You have to be capable of playing precise passes, reading the game, and anticipating danger.

If you’re an aspiring young keeper eager to succeed, make sure to work on a wide range of skills. Build up the fundamentals, like stopping shots and claiming crosses, but also try more varied training drills and exercises to improve other areas. Work on your passing, train your outfield abilities, and watch the best keepers regularly to see how it’s done.

Why Fitness Matters for Goalies

You have to be fit to play football. Running around for 90 minutes. Putting your body under immense strain and pressure. It demands exceptional levels of strength and stamina. At least, that’s the view when it comes to outfield players. However, when it comes to goalkeepers, some people argue that fitness isn’t quite as important.

They contend that, since goalies don’t run about as much as their outfield teammates, they don’t need to be fit. Perhaps there was a time when there was some truth to that. If you go back a few decades and look at certain top-level keepers, they weren’t quite as slender and athletic as their teammates. However, these days, suggesting that a modern goalie doesn’t need to be fit is simply nonsense.

The Importance of Goalkeeper Fitness

Take a look at some of the top keepers of today. Courtois. Neuer. Alisson. They have different playing styles, as well as different heights and statures. But when it comes to physical fitness, they’re all amazing athletes. They undergo intense physical training regimens, just like their teammates, and they have to be immensely strong and fit.

Here are just a few reasons why.

Bursts of Pace

You probably won’t spend huge amounts of time running around as a keeper. You won’t have to sprint down the wing or burst past a defensive line. But you do still need to run when the situation calls for it. In fact, goalkeepers often find themselves having to go from standing still to sprinting at full speed. You might have to do so when rushing out for a loose ball or closing the shooting angle on an attacker, for instance.

For that, fitness is crucial. Keepers who are overweight or unfit will find it much harder to suddenly accelerate away from a standing start. They’ll also struggle to get up to the speeds they need to make those all-important runs out of the box. This is especially true if you hope to play as a sweeper keeper and need to rush out of your area now and then to sweep up danger.

Diving and Saving

Making saves is the bread and butter of every keeper. It’s arguably the No. 1 skill to master, and it’s what keepers tend to be judged on more than anything else. The best keepers are able to dive powerfully left and right, making crucial saves. They’re also able to make themselves big when forwards are bearing down on goal, making it much harder for them to score.

Again, this all requires high levels of fitness. You need immensely strong leg muscles to crouch down and build up power for your dives. You also require strong arms, wrists, and hands to punch and parry the ball away. Keepers who fail to work on their strength and conditioning will naturally concede many more goals.

Jumping and Claiming

You don’t just have to dive sideways while manning the net. Good goalkeepers also need to leap high up into the air. It’s crucial for claiming those lofted crosses and snuffing out the danger of corners and free kicks. Of course, being naturally tall helps. That’s one of the reasons why so many world-class keepers are well over six foot. But you can’t rely on height alone to save you.

Outfield players can often jump several feet into the air to get their head on the ball. You have to be able to jump even higher. Again, that requires lots of strength, particularly in the calves and thighs, as you’ll use those muscles to propel you upwards. If you don’t have sufficient strength, you could find yourself flapping at crosses and conceding lots of goals at set pieces.

Avoiding Injuries

Injuries aren’t as big of a risk for goalkeepers as they are for outfield players. You don’t tend to get as many goalies struggling with torn hamstrings or pulled groin muscles. However, that doesn’t mean goalies are immune to injury. All that diving and jumping around can put immense pressure on your joints, muscles, and bones, with possibilities of sprains, fractures, breaks, and tears.

One of the big benefits of fitness training is that it reduces your risk of injury. By conditioning and strengthening your muscles and joints, you help your body cope with the rigours of the goalkeeping position. This is particularly important for those with a history of injury or have a recurring physical weakness, like a bad knee. Working on your fitness should help you stay healthy and in-shape for longer periods.

Commanding the Box

Last but not least, fitness is also crucial for commanding your box, especially at corners and free kicks, or when crosses come sailing in from the wings. When that happens, opposing players might try muscling you out of position or pushing you around. But good keepers have the strength to stand their ground, pushing back just as hard, if not harder, to keep control of the situation.

Most of the previous sections have focused on leg strength. But this is where core and upper body strength are just as crucial. You need strong arm, chest, and back muscles to hold your position when other players are jostling against you. This also helps you push your way through a crowded penalty area to jump up and make a claim or clear the ball away. As an added bonus, defenders will tend to feel more comfortable with a strong and sturdy keeper stood behind them.

Summing Up: Fitness Is Crucial for Keepers

If you want to be a truly great keeper, you can’t neglect your fitness. In the modern age, keepers at all levels need to be fit, fast, agile, and strong. It helps you make better saves, leap higher into the air, command your box, and ultimately, win more games.

Dealing with the Highs and Lows of Being a Goalkeeper

Football is a game of highs and lows. Of course, you could say that about so many sports. But football, in particular, can feel like a rollercoaster ride every single match. One minute, everything’s going well. Your team scores a goal. You celebrate, feeling on top of the world. The next minute, everything can change. A bad tackle, a mistake, a red card, a goal conceded. It all flips in a heartbeat.

This is especially true for goalkeepers, who experience some of the highest highs and lowest lows of any player on the pitch. Naturally, goalie actions tend to come under more scrutiny than those of outfield players. If you do something great – like a big save – you look like a hero. But if you make a mistake, you soon find yourself in the role of the villain.

Dealing with all of that, mentally and emotionally, isn’t easy. It takes its toll. Indeed, many goalkeepers, even the very best, go through tough times with their mental health, and it works both ways. You can feel so elated with a good save that you become cocky and error-prone. Or, you can dwell on a bad moment so much that you start to feel anxious between the sticks.

This guide will take a look at how to cope with those two extremes – the highs and lows of being a keeper.

The Highs of Goalkeeping

Let’s start on a positive note. The highs of goalkeeping are those wonderful moments that make all your hard work worth it. They’re the big saves, the penalty heroics, the rushes from your box to stop a dangerous move before it even has time to develop. They’re the high fives from your teammates and the rushes of adrenaline that come from helping your side win a match.

In short, these are fun, positive moments. But even positive emotions can be dangerous if you don’t know how to deal with them correctly. Confidence is essential for a keeper. But those special saves and big moments can push your mindset from confident into overconfident. That’s when mistakes start to happen.

A cocky or overconfident keeper may feel that they don’t need to try as hard. They might overestimate their skills or abilities, feeling like no shot can ever get past them. That sort of attitude breeds complacency and may make you more likely to make mistakes or lose focus at key moments.

How to Deal with Them

If you want to avoid slipping on the banana skin of overconfidence as a keeper, the key is simple. Just move on. Take pride in your saves and enjoy those moments, just like how a striker would enjoy scoring a goal or a midfielder providing an assist. But remember that a game is more than moments. It’s 90 minutes of effort, concentration, and hard work.

After a striker scores a goal, they can’t stop running and working for the rest of the game. The same applies to keepers. Even if you make a super save, it won’t count for anything if you let in a goal five minutes later. So, try to use your successes to fuel you for the rest of the game. Be even more focused and determined to make them count and get the win.

The Lows of Goalkeeping

Next, the lows. While the highs are at least pleasant to experience, in spite of the inherent risks, the lows can completely destroy your mood. You let a weak shot slip between your legs, or the ball slip through your fingers. You rush out to stop a forward but end up completely missing the ball. You make a terrible call when a cross or corner comes in and concede a goal.

In those moments, many keepers say that they wish the ground would simply open up and swallow them. They want to hide, to leave the pitch, or to turn back time and do things differently. Unfortunately, none of that can happen. Instead, they have to keep on playing and invariably deal with more difficult situations as the game progresses.

Naturally, making mistakes or letting in goals can knock your confidence. Even professional keepers, with all their training and mental conditioning, suffer from this issue. They feel hopeless, lonely, ashamed, angry, a whole spectrum of emotions – almost all of them negative. This can put them into a spiral, and it can harm their performance not just for the rest of that game, but for many more games to come.

How to Deal with Them

Dealing with the lows is undoubtedly harder than dealing with the highs. But the same rule applies here. Just move on. As hard as it may be, accept your mistakes, acknowledge that they’ve happened, and then move on from them. Know that you can’t change the past. Remember that even the very best keepers in the world have been in the same position as you. Then try to let it go and get back in the game.

Remind yourself that, as stated above, football matches are more than just individual moments. They require a full hour and a half of concentration and focus. Even if you had one bad moment, you can still do your best for the other 89 minutes to support your team. That’s a much better use of your time and energy than dwelling on a mistake or replaying it in your mind.

Summing Up: The Right Attitude

If you play as a goalkeeper, there are bound to be both highs and lows. You’re going to make great saves and put in amazing performances. You’re also going to have moments when things don’t go the way you wanted. It happens to every goalie. Ultimately, the best way to cope with that is to simply accept it. Accept that you’ll have highs and lows, and that it’s just part of the game.

Every keeper has to find their own personal way of dealing with those moments and not feeling overwhelmed with emotions. Don’t let yourself get too high when the highs come, nor too low when the bad moments occur. Move on. Look forward. Focus on your next save, your next pass, your next match. If you can adopt this kind of forward-thinking mindset, you should find that those extreme high and low emotions won’t affect you quite as much.

Sweeper Keepers: All You Need to Know

Many used to believe that there was only one way to play in goal. You stayed in your area. You stopped shots to the best of your ability. You booted the ball up the pitch in dangerous situations. And you left everything else to your outfield teammates.

However, as time went by, the role of the goalie changed and became more flexible and versatile, with new ways to play. The sweeper keeper is one of those “alternative” goalkeeping roles. It’s less rigid than traditional keeping, with more freedom for keepers to do what they do best.

In this guide, we’ll explore exactly what sweeper keepers do. We’ll also look at the pros and cons that come with this role, as well as how you can become a sweeper keeper yourself.

What Is a Sweeper Keeper?

First, let’s look at the basics and define “sweeper.” A sweeper is a defender who sits deeper than the rest of the defensive line. Their job is to sweep up any balls that bypass the rest of the defence.

A sweeper keeper, therefore, is when a goalie, rather than a defender, steps into that sweeper role. They’re allowed to leave their box and move up the field. This allows them to deal with dangerous balls before opponents can make the most of them. These keepers also tend to receive the ball regularly from their defenders, and try to distribute it carefully and precisely to maintain possession.

To imagine how this works in action, picture a scene where your team is in possession. Your defenders are quite high up, not far from the halfway line. The ball is in the other half. Suddenly, the other team gains possession and launches the ball up the field, over your defenders. An opposing forward breaks through the line and rushes towards that loose ball.

In that situation, a traditional keeper would have remained rigidly in their box. They’d hope that the defenders would get back and cover them. Then, they’d have to deal with a difficult one-on-one situation and a high chance of a goal. A sweeper keeper, however, would have already been positioned on the edge of their box. They would anticipate the danger, run out, and claim the ball before anyone else.

The Advantages of the Sweeper Keeper Role

Naturally, there are a lot of advantages to having a sweeper keeper on your side. That’s especially true these days, in an era where managers like Pep Guardiola have redefined the way the game is played. As a result, many modern teams want to maintain possession as much as possible. For that to happen, it’s essential to have a keeper with good feet and distribution.

A sweeper also gives the defence more freedom to push up while the team is in possession and contribute to attacking moves. Plus, they’re often effective at suppressing the danger of long balls over the top or opposing forwards trying to beat the offside trap. In short, the presence of a sweeper keeper opens up a lot of tactical opportunities.

There are also personal benefits for the keepers themselves. Sweeper keepers tend to end up getting more involved in games than traditional shot stoppers. They have more freedom to run around, initiate attacks, and so on. This helps them build up a broader skillset, doing the work of a defender and a goalie all-in-one.

The Risks and Dangers That Come with Being a Sweeper Keeper

Unfortunately, it’s not all smooth sailing for sweeper keepers. This role comes with risk, and when sweeper keepers get things wrong, they pay a high price. For example, you might rush out to deal with a through ball, but fail to reach it in time. Alternatively, you might come out of your box to tackle an opposing forward, but make a mistake. Seconds later, they’re dribbling around you and shooting at an empty net.

Plus, since sweeper keepers try to maintain possession, they often make risky passes instead of just lumping the ball up the pitch. That, too, can backfire. In fact, it happens quite often, even to the very best sweeper keepers. You can see examples of famous goalies like Alisson, Neuer, and Ter Stegen all making the odd costly mistake while trying to sweep up danger or keep possession.

Of course, every goalie makes mistakes from time to time. But it often looks worse when sweeper keepers make them. However, this is part and parcel of the role. It’s a high-risk, high-reward way of playing. If you do it effectively, you can stop dozens of dangerous situations and even help your team score more goals. Do it poorly, and it can result in conceding a goal.

How to Become a Sweeper Keeper

Perhaps you’re an aspiring young keeper looking at different ways to play. Maybe you have a history as an outfield player. Therefore, you feel comfortable with the ball at your feet and would be a good fit as a sweeper. Or maybe you’re just a big fan of famous sweeper keepers and want to emulate their style of play. Either way, here’s what it takes.

Firstly, you need a unique set of skills. Shot stopping. Jumping. Diving. Catching. Kicking. Throwing. Those are all the base skills of any keeper. Sweeper keepers need even more. They have to be excellent readers of the game. They need “football IQ” and the ability to anticipate dangerous situations before anyone else. They also have to be confident and comfortable with the ball at their feet.

Focus and concentration are crucial. You have to be engaged with the game non-stop, ready to move up or drop back as needed. You’ve also got to make yourself available for passes and contribute more to the general flow of play than a usual keeper. If all that wasn’t enough, you need elite fitness, too – sweepers do more running than standard keepers, after all.

Of course, you need coaches who are willing to let you step up as a sweeper. Along with teammates who feel confident enough to pass to you and let you roam from your box now and then. In short, it’s a role that requires collective levels of confidence across the board, from teammates to coaching staff. But when done well, this role brings a lot to the team, so is certainly worth trying out.

GluePrint – The Goalkeeper Gloves with Superior Grip

Reusch first introduced their GluePrint technology in 2022, branding it a ‘new adhesive print for superior grip’.

Since then, they have released over 10 different models which feature this unique style palm.

How it Works

Reusch’s adhesive print is applied on the palm in those areas that get in most contact with the ball.

Because of this, the tackiness and grip are enhanced exactly where it is needed most!

Reusch do state that the GluePrint will wear away over time, but the use of their premium Gold X latex means that it will continue to offer high levels of grip.

Take a look at all of the latest GluePrint models below…

Reusch Freegel Gold X GluePrint

CUT: Evolution Negative Cut CUFF: Elastic Cuff with Pull Loop STRAP: Neoprene Full Strap BACKHAND BASE: Textile PUNCHING ZONE: Freegel GUSSETS: Latex FEATURES: Finger Support, Ventilation channels, Preshaped Construction, 3D Thumb Crotch, Thumb Wrap

Reusch Attrakt Gold X Evolution GluePrint

CUT: Evolution Cut CUFF: Elastic Cuff with Pull Loop STRAP: Neoprene Full Strap BACKHAND BASE: Textile PUNCHING ZONE: Latex

Reusch Attrakt Gold X GluePrint

CUT: Evolution Negative Cut CUFF: Elastic Cuff with Pull Loop STRAP: Neoprene Full Strap BACKHAND BASE: Textile PUNCHING ZONE: Latex

Reusch Pure Contact Gold X GluePrint

PALM: Reusch Grip Gold X CUT: Hybrid Negative Cut WRIST CLOSURE: AdaptiveFlex Strapless BACKHAND: Neoprene FEATURES: Extended Grip Zone, Preshaped Construction, 3D Thumb Crotch, Thumb Wrap

Reusch Pure Contact Gold GluePrint Junior

PALM: Reusch Grip Gold CUT: Hybrid Negative Cut WRIST CLOSURE: Neoprene Full Strap BACKHAND: Neoprene FEATURES: FreeFlex, Pull Extension, Preshaped Construction, 3D Thumb Crotch, Thumb Wrap

Shop all the latest goalkeeper gloves from all the major brands, at Just Keepers. We offer the best range of goalkeeper gloves, goalkeeper clothing and goalkeeper essentials anywhere in the world.

All of our products are hand picked to offer you all the products you need all in one place. Remember, we are the original online goalkeeper specialists…

Just Keepers – The Number Ones Number One

How to Catch the Eye of Scouts as a Goalkeeper

It’s the dream of every young footballer. A scout comes to watch you play. You put in a 10/10 performance. Before you know it, you’re being handed a professional contract, starting your path to superstardom.

Unfortunately, it’s not quite as easy as that. Impressing scouts is hard. Especially for goalies. They can’t dazzle scouts with dribbling skills or wow the crowd with a thunderbolt shot from the edge of the box. Instead, they have to impress in other ways. This guide will explore how.

What Do Scouts Look for in Goalies?

Let’s kick things off with a look at what scouts actually look for in goalkeepers, broken down into three key categories: physical, mental, and technical.

Physical Aspects

Alisson. Donnarumma. Neuer. They’re all great keepers. They’re also all giants. Each one stands at 6’4” or more. That gives them a notable advantage over other keepers. They can leap higher to claim crosses and dive further to save those pinpoint shots that are headed for the top corner.

In other words, tall people tend to be best-suited for playing between the sticks. That’s something that a lot of aspiring goalies – especially shorter-than-average ones – worry about. However, it’s not the be-all and end-all.

Here’s another list: Jorge Campos. Iker Casillas. Dino Zoff. Those are all amazing keepers who weren’t exactly massive, and there are many other examples, too. While scouts will naturally be drawn to taller keepers, they’ll also look for other physical aspects – like strength and agility.

Mental Aspects

For goalies, the mental side of the game is arguably just as important as the physical aspect. That’s especially true if you want to go pro someday. You have to have a strong mental core to cope with the pressures of high-level competition. Naturally, scouts look for keepers who appear confident and assured.

How you carry yourself. Your attitude. How you manage your emotions during the game. Whether or not you tend to show nerves, or keep cool under pressure.

Those are all aspects that scouts will look at, and they all indicate what kind of temperament you’ve got.

Scouts will naturally be drawn to characters who seem to be confident in their abilities and calm under pressure. They’ll also want to see goalies who demonstrate a good work ethic. That means constantly communicating and reading the game, even when the ball is at the other end of the pitch.

Technical Aspects

Last, though certainly not least, the technical aspects. Kicking. Catching. Punching. Passing. Every way you interact with the ball will come under the microscope when a scout is in attendance. They’ll want to see how comfortable you are at doing what a goalie needs to do – making saves and guarding the net.

Generally, scouts want to see keepers who catch and handle the ball in a confident and tidy manner. Good distribution is also massive – especially these days with so many modern keepers being relied on to start attacking moves for their sides. So they’ll check how accurately you roll, throw, and kick the ball.

Communication also matters. Many scouts like to see a vocal goalie – it’s a sign of a confident player and a strong leader. Between a keeper who stays silent for 90 minutes and one who regularly shouts out commands to his defenders, scouts will pick the vocal one 99 times out of 100.

What Can You Do to Impress Scouts?

Now we’ve seen what scouts are looking for, let’s explore some useful tips and tricks you can keep in mind to wow them.

Maintain Focus All Game Long

Young keepers often assume that all they have to do to impress a scout is make a big save. Saving a penalty. Tipping a powerful shot destined for the top-right corner over the crossbar. Those moments are certainly impressive, but in reality, scouts look for much more than mere “moments.”

They want to see how you perform over a full 90 minutes, not just in brief bursts. In other words, they won’t necessarily be bowled over by one great save. Especially if it looks like you lack professionalism or concentration for the rest of the game. Make sure you stay focused for the full duration. Be committed and engaged with the game, and never show signs of disinterest or distraction.

Play Your Natural Game

It’s also quite common for players to get all worked up and perform differently when they hear that a scout is in attendance. You might try making a wider range of passes or your dives and movements a little more dramatic, for example.

However, it’s much better to simply play your natural game and do what you’re used to doing. Better still, treat every game you play as if a scout is watching. That’ll help you always put in your best performance, keeping your focus levels up and helping you maintain a professional attitude every time.

Be Vocal

As mentioned above, goalkeeping scouts tend to like vocal players. They’ll appreciate a keeper who calls out to their defenders, letting them know about anyone trying to close them down or urging them to push up or drop back down the pitch.

Good communication is often linked to many other desirable goalie characteristics, such as leadership, confidence, and the ability to read the game. If you’re the kind of player who tends to be quiet in games, try to speak up a little more and build your communication skills.

Every Scout Is Different

Every scout is different. They’ll have their own instructions and personal preferences in terms of what they want to see in a keeper.

Some are crazy about communicative keepers and will instantly rule out any player who isn’t vocal. Others will favour players who show a professional, hard-working attitude. Then there are scouts who want to see keepers who are just as good with their feet as they are with their hands.

You can never know exactly what’s going on in a scout’s mind. But by working on all your core keeping skills – saving, communicating, kicking – and having the right attitude, you’ll give yourself the best chance of impressing them.

Which Gloves Do Premier League Goalies Wear?

The Premier League has some of the world’s greatest players, including a few of the best goalkeepers. Alisson, Ederson, and Emiliano Martinez are just a few standout examples of the English league’s leading shot-stoppers. They all know exactly what it takes to keep the ball out of the net.

However, they have different styles of play and wear different types of gloves. Perhaps you’re interested in wearing the same gloves as your favourite keeper. Or maybe you just want to find out which brand is most trusted among Premier League goalies. Either way, here’s the full list for the 23-24 season.

Arsenal

Arsenal have two main men in contention for the No. 1 spot in Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya. Both of whom are fantastic keepers with bags of talent. However, it’s Raya who has made the most starts this year, and he sports an SMU (special make up) of The One Glove’s Geo 3.0.

Aston Villa

World Cup winner Emi Martinez mans the net for Villa and stands out as one of the finest keepers in the league. He’s famed for his immense levels of confidence and cheeky mind games, especially prior to penalties. This season, he’s wearing an SMU of the GL Competition Adidas Predator Pro goalkeeping gloves.

Bournemouth

For Bournemouth, former Barcelona shot-stopper Neto stands between the sticks. The Brazilian goalie wears a pair of Uhlsport Supergrip gloves from their Powerline collection.

Brentford

Brentford’s new No. 1 for this season is Mark Flekken. Puma’s Future Ultimate Negative Cut gloves are his choice. However, he’s also worn an SMU of Puma’s Pro Hybrid gloves this season, too.

Brighton

The Seagulls don’t have a clear No. 1 this year. Instead, Bart Verbruggen and Jason Steele have shared the starting spot. Verbruggen wears gloves from the Dutch brand, RWLK, specifically the RWLK New Original. Steele opts for Sells Contour Aqua Fit gloves, which are also popular with several other Premier League goalies.

Burnley

Burnley’s goalkeeper, James Trafford, has mixed things up throughout the season with a few different pairs of gloves from different brands. He started off with Adidas’ Predator GL Pro gloves, later switching to a Sells Aqua pair, before settling with German brand Uhlsport.

Chelsea

Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez has worn Nike gloves throughout his career. He’s maintained that trend this season, opting for the Nike Mercurial Touch Elite gloves.

Crystal Palace   

Palace’s keeper, Sam Johnstone has also been sporting the Sells Aqua gloves this season.

Everton

Everton and England keeper Jordan Pickford is another Puma fan. He wears an SMU of Puma’s Ultimate Pro Hybrid.

Fulham

Bernd Leno has shown fantastic form since joining Fulham from Arsenal, saving the Cottagers time and time again. He’s another Puma wearer, opting for a variant of the brand’s Ultimate Pro Hybrid goalie gloves.

Liverpool

Arguably the top keeper in the Premier League, if not the world, Liverpool’s Alisson recently committed his goalkeeper glove future to Reusch.

Luton

Luton’s Thomas Kaminski has been a busy keeper this season. The Belgian keeper relies on a pair of T1TAN White Beast 3.0 goalie gloves to help the Hatters survive in the top flight.

Man City

Ederson is arguably more known for what he does with his feet than his hands, thanks to his legendary long-range passing skills. However, he’s still a fantastic shot-stopper, right up there with the best in the league. The Brazilian wears Puma Future Pro Hybrid gloves.

Man United

The Red Devils’ new goalie, Andre Onana, wears Rinat gloves. This Mexican brand was founded by former keeper Hector Castro, but hasn’t been much of a big name in the PL.

Newcastle

Famed for his rapid reflex saves and commanding presence, Newcastle’s Nick Pope is another top keeper plying his trade in the Premier League. He wears Sells Aqua models, like several other goalies in the top flight.

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest have tried a few different keepers this season, but American Matt Turner has made the most starts. He wears gloves made in his U.S. homeland by the brand West Coast.

Sheffield United

Wes Foderingham has put in some stellar performances for Sheffield United, and his choice of gloves may have played a part in that. He wears Nike’s VG3 goalie gloves, using them to make some super stops in some of the Blades’ biggest games this season.

Spurs

After many years of Hugo Lloris, Spurs fans have the new face of Guglielmo Vicario between the sticks at Tottenham Hotspur. The Italian wears Uhlsport gloves, though started the season with a Reusch pair. He currently sports different versions of the Powerline HN gloves.

West Ham

Over at the London Stadium, former PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola is another fan of the Uhlsport brand, just like Vicario. He wears a pair of Powerline Supergrip+ gloves.

Wolves

Last but not least, we come to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Jose Sa. The Portuguese keeper has proven himself to be a fantastic shot-stopper and strong, reliable presence at the back for the Wolves. He wears Adidas gloves, currently preferring the brand’s Predator GL Pros.

Pick the Gloves That Work Best for You

While it’s definitely fun to wear the same gloves as your favourite keeper, they might not be the right fit for you. It’s much better to try several options and consider other factors, like your playing style and comfort levels, to find the ideal fit and help you reach peak performance.

Common Goalkeeping Shouts Every Shot-Stopper Should Know

Communication. It’s an essential part of being a good goalkeeper. Of course, some keepers are louder than others, but all need to be vocal to a certain extent. You have to call out to your teammates, organise your defence, and demonstrate leadership like a captain – even if you don’t always wear the armband.

Fortunately, even if you’re not a naturally vocal person, there are plenty of ways to build up this skill. What’s more, you don’t necessarily need to do tons of talking on the pitch. By mastering a small selection of shouts, you’ll be able to manage your defenders and make sure your voice is heard using only a few words.

This guide will look at some of the most important keeper commands , as well as tips on when to use them.

Keeper

The classic go-to shout of every goalie, up and down the land. This one is used to let everyone know that the keeper is coming to either catch, claim, or clear the ball. In other words, it tells all of your teammates to get out of the way.

Use this one when you’re confident of getting the ball, especially from a corner or cross. Additionally, try to read the situation and decide whether or not you need to claim the ball, or if one of your defenders is better placed to deal with it. If you make the shout, be sure to commit to it and do everything you can to get to the ball.

Away

Another commonly-used shout, “away” is basically the opposite of “keeper.” It tells your teammates that you’re not going to get to the ball, so they need to clear it for you. Use this one if you feel under pressure or are being blocked by an opposing player, especially at a corner or when the ball is bouncing around in the box.

Push Up

Goalkeepers tend to be great observers of the game. When the ball isn’t at your feet and your goal isn’t under any immediate threat, you’re free to essentially spectate over the game. You can check on the positions of the players and monitor the flow of pressure one way or another. That’s where the “push up” or “step up” shout comes in handy.

This one is used to tell your defenders to move further up field. There are several ways to use it. You could use it to trap opposing strikers offside, for example, and reduce the risk of a long ball over the top. More often than not, it’s a good shout to use when you feel that your team is applying a lot of pressure and you want to capitalise on it, sending your defenders forward to push the opposition back.

Drop

“Drop” is more or less the opposite of “push up.” This one is used to bring your defenders back, closer to you and the goal. It’s helpful when you feel under pressure and want more of your players in and around the box to block shots and guard against threats. However, be careful, as drawing your defenders too deep may invite more pressure than you can handle.

Back

“Back” or “home” is basically a goalie’s way of saying “I’m open, you can pass to me.” It’s helpful if one of your defenders is in possession and coming under pressure. They might not have any available passes around them, so you can call “back” to let them know that you’re ready to receive the ball.

Man On

“Man on” is your way of letting one of your teammates – usually defenders – know about opposing players close to them. It’s often linked with other shouts, like “right” or “left” or even “right shoulder” or “left shoulder” to let your teammate know which side of them the opponent is situated. This one is useful when your defenders are under pressure and aren’t necessarily aware of an approaching threat.

Wall Shouts

Goalies definitely need to be vocal before a direct free kick is taken. It’s up to you to decide if you want a wall, where it needs to be, and how wide it should be. To keep it concise and clear, many goalies simply say “Wall. X number of players.” You may also want to call teammates by name to get them in wall, and then use “left” or “right” shouts to position it.

Set Piece Shouts

At other set pieces, like corners and indirect free kicks, you can use various other shouts to organise your teammates. Examples include “back post” or “front post” to let players know where they need to stand, or “mark nine” for example, if you want a specific player (shirt number nine) to be marked.

Encouragement Shouts

These shouts aren’t necessary, but many keepers like to encourage their teammates during a game. Phrases like “good job” or “keep it up” may seem simple, but might be just what a player needs to hear to stay focused for the last crucial minutes of a match. These shouts may be particularly helpful in situations after a defender has made a mistake and needs a bit of encouragement.

Critical Shouts

Of course, there may also be times when you notice one of your defenders slacking off or being a little lackadaisical in their play. At that point, you may want to throw out a more critical shout, like “focus,” “stay alert,” or “wake up.” It’s important to avoid being overly negative towards your teammates, but there may be moments where you simply have to provide criticism.

Use These Shouts to Perfect Your Communication

In the majority of games, these shouts are all you’ll need to communicate with your defenders and manage a game. Each one has its ideal context and best-use scenario. As you play and practice together more, you’ll figure out the perfect times to use them all. It might seem tricky at first, especially if you’re not the most vocal of keepers, but the more you shout, the easier it should become.

How to Save Penalties: Tips and Tricks from the Pros

Penalties. Every goalie has an opinion on how to approach them. Some love the pressure. They thrive on it, trying to get into the taker’s mind, and predict where they’re going to shoot. Others buckle, lose their cool, and dive at random, hoping they pick the right way.

Whatever your view, there are times it can feel like penalties are nothing but pure luck. You either dive the right way, or you don’t. While there’s some truth to that, it’s not the whole story. There are ways in which you can influence the outcome of a penalty and improve your save rate. This guide will show you how.

Keep Calm

Our first tip might seem like an obvious one, but it’s still worth mentioning: before the penalty is taken, try to keep calm. Remember, most penalties are scored. You’re not expected to save them all. So, don’t panic or feel like there’s tons of pressure on your shoulders.

Fretting and flustering won’t get you anywhere. In fact, it’ll probably result in a loss of focus and misreading the taker’s run-up or judging where they might shoot. It’s much better to approach a penalty situation with a calm and confident mindset instead.

Try to Delay the Taker

If you watch a lot of football on TV or as a spectator, you may notice how some keepers try to delay the taking of a penalty as long as possible. They’re not the only ones. Defenders also get in on the act, picking up the ball or chatting with the taker.

There’s a reason for that. It’s a way of getting into the taker’s head, forcing them to overthink the penalty and increases the likelihood of them making a mistake. If you want to push the odds in your favour before a penalty, it’s worth using a few sneaky tricks to delay it. Just don’t go too far, or you might end up with a yellow card.

Use Mind Games

Following on from the previous point, another good way to get into the taker’s head is through mind games. There are loads of famous examples of this, like Bruce Grobbelaar’s “spaghetti legs” or Emi Martinez’s cheeky dances and brash comments.

We’ve seen some keepers literally point to the corner where they think the taker will shoot to psych them out. Others have even gone as far as taking off their gloves before a shot or waving their arms around in the air. Yes, it can look silly if the penalty goes in, but it may also be the difference-maker that helps you pull off more big saves.

Do Your Research

Before any game, it’s a good idea to chat with coaches and teammates to learn what you can about the opposition, especially their penalty takers. Try to find out who tends to take penalties for the other team and which side they favour. The more you know, the more chance you’ll have of making the save.

Of course, you might not always know much about the team you’re playing against. But you can still make certain educated guesses about how a penalty taker might act.

Judge the Taker’s Starting Position

You can learn a lot from where a penalty taker begins their run up. If they stand to the left of the ball, for example, it indicates that they’re going to hit it with their right foot. Right-footed players are also more likely to strike the ball to your right, as the keeper, and vice versa for left-footers.

If the taker takes quite a long run up, they might be planning to put a lot of power into their shot. Or, they’re hoping that you’ll dive early in the run, making their job a lot easier. If they only step back a few paces, they’re probably hoping to place their shot right in one of the low corners. Keep all of that in mind and try to figure out the most likely type of shot the taker will choose.

Watch the Standing Foot

In almost all cases, a penalty taker’s standing foot will point in the direction they’re planning to shoot. Therefore, by paying close attention to that foot, you can figure out where the shot is going and start your dive just before the ball is kicked.

The standing foot will come down just a second – or fraction of a second – before the strike. So, you won’t have a huge amount of time to react. But that fraction of a second might be all you need to make the dive and stop the ball. It won’t work every time, but it’s good to get in the habit of watching the taker’s standing foot.

Use These Tips to Step up Your Penalty Game

There you have it. Six top penalty tips that should help any aspiring keeper improve their stats when facing penalties and shootouts. Remember, even the best keepers in the world let more penalties in than they save. You can’t stop them all. But as this guide shows, there are plenty of ways to improve your chances.