Goalkeeper Terminology (AKA: Goalie Talk)

Description: At STMA United, we are pushing are our goalies to establish what we call “Goalie Talk.”
These are simple commands given by the Goalie to help inform and direct field players. These
commands have two main purposes: 1) To alert players of the Goalie’s intentions (coming out to get ball
vs. staying close to protect goal) 2) To help direct defenders and field players. “Goalie Talk” MUST be
established at an early age, so that the ENTIRE team becomes familiar with their Goalie’s voice and
instructions. Goalie Talk is designed to be concise, specific, and confident. Field players gain a
tremendous level of comfort and confidence when their Goalie learns how to communicate effectively.
As coaches, we encourage our Goalies to develop Goalie Talk, and we seek to establish a common
“language” on our team.

“Keeper” - Alerting players that you (the Goalie) are coming out to get the ball. Say this as soon as you
know you are committed to going for the ball! Field players can only react if they are given an early
warning!

“Away” - Alerting players that you are NOT going for the ball. This lets your defenders know that it is up
to them to clear the ball.

* "Keeper” and “Away” are especially important during free kicks and crosses. Goalie’s must say
one of these two commands during EVERY free kick or cross into the box.

“Out or Clear” - Commanding field players to clear the ball out of the box. This is usually done when a
defender is under pressure and the ball is in a dangerous position if mishandled or lost.

“Turn” - Alerting a player that they have space behind them and can turn with the ball.

“Man On” – Alerting a player that an opponent is close behind them.

* “Man On” or “Turn” should be said EVERY TIME a Goalie passes the ball to a defender who is
unable to see who is around them.

“Push Up”- Commanding defenders or field players to move further up the field. This is usually done
when defenders are standing too close to their Goalie when the ball is played further down the field OR
when defenders are too far behind their midfield to provide support.

* Goalies can also call someone by name (“John Up”) if one defender has dropped too deep.

“Drop” - Commanding defenders to drop back. This is usually done when the opponent is attacking with
speed during transition OR when opponent has time and space to play a long ball behind the defense.

“Delay” – Commanding defenders not to pressure aggressively but to simply keep an attacker in front of
them. This is usually done when the opponent has more attackers than our defenders, and we are trying
to allow time for our defenders to recover.
“(Name), Step” - Commanding a specific player to pressure the player with the ball. This becomes
extremely important when the ball has entered the shooting range and defenders are “delaying” or
when defenders are unclear of who should pressure the ball.

“Pinch” - Commanding defenders to squeeze together to protect the middle of the field. This is usually
done when the gap between our defenders is too big. This helps prevent “through” balls and is
especially important when the central defender steps to pressure the ball.

* “(Name), Pinch” is used to direct a specific defender to move centrally. Often times this
happens when the ball has been switched to the other side of the field and one defender is
caught too far away to help if the ball is lost.

“(Name), Back” or “Use Me” - Asking a player to pass the ball back to your feet. This is usually done to
help keep possession or to provide a clearance when a defender is in trouble.

“(Name), Goal-side” - Commanding a defender to reposition themselves so that they are between their
man and the goal. (A basic defending principle that younger defenders may forget)

“(Name), Inside” - Commanding a defender to reposition themselves between their man and the center
of the field (while maintaining goal-side position). Inside position is a general principle of defending that
helps prevent balls played directly through our defense

“(Name), Backside or Runner” - Commanding a defender to mark an opponent making a run or to mark
defend the backside of the goal.

“(Name), Slide In” - Commands backside defender to slide in to protect the middle of the field.
Generally used when ball-side defender has joined the attack, or when another defender is recovering
or out of position.

“Release” - GK communicates with central defenders in releasing outside defenders to join the attack.
We don’t want 4 players (defenders) to be WASTED standing at the half-line! Defenders can and should
join the attack at times.

Coaches and Goalies: It is extremely important that “Goalie Talk” is used during practice! Find ways to
reinforce Goalie Talk in your practices. It is in practice where teams become familiar with their Goalie’s
voice and develop habits of communication. If your goalie is “too quiet,” provide them with
opportunities to be in charge of communication during practice (ie: let the goalies keep track of the
score during practice games or require specific communication during warm up activities).