Coming off the Line
You might associate a soccer goalie with someone who dives around and makes wonderful saves to stop the ball going in the goal.
But actually, the keeper doesn’t always get that many action packed saves to make. In fact, his main role is actually to play as a sort of sweeper in and around his penalty area.
The importance of knowing when to and being able to come off your line is tremendous. And yet incredibly it’s one of the least practiced skills in training!!
Coming off the line is all about judgement, speed and timing so in this page I just give you a little bit of help to improve how and when you come off the line.
When to Come off the Line
The whole time.
Honestly. Well almost the whole time- you shouldn’t be standing exactly on your line unless there is a penalty against your team.
If your team have a corner you should be standing outside your penalty box. Why? Because if there goalie gets the ball and hoofs it down field and your defenders aren’t there, you might be able to get to the ball before the strikers.
If your team have possession in the opposition half you should be between your penalty spot and the edge of your area. When the other team have possession just inside your half, you should probably be around your six yard line.
You see the purpose? By being off your line of whole time, you give yourself a couple of yards (or however many) when you really do need to come off your line.
When to Come OUT and off the Line
Now this is the real issue you’ve probably been wanting to hear. You might want to come out when;
1) The other team have a corner and you need to come and get the ball.
2) The other team are attacking in open play and you can get to the ball at the striker’s feet
3) Your defender needs to play a pass back and he needs you to make it easy for him
4) When there is a free kick which is used as a cross that you need to come and collect
5) When there is a cross in open play which you can come out and catch in the air
6) When the ball is bouncing around in your box and it needs to be brought under control
7) When the opposition striker is about to shoot and you need to narrow the angle to minimise his chances of scoring
When the opposition soccer goalie does a massive kick and it comes all the way to your area and you need to go for it
9) When the opposition play a through ball that you can get to before the striker
10) When the opposition square it into the box along the ground and the ball is within your reach if you dive for it.
I may not have covered every single eventuality, but this gives you a pretty good idea as to which circumstances require the soccer goalie to come off the line.
How to Come off the Line
If you’re coming out for a high cross, then you need to come out and jump high with your arms above your head. Don’t let anyone get in your way and shout “KEEPERS!” to let your defenders know the ball BELONGS to the soccer goalie. Be confident and loud. All you need to do as far as coming off your line is concerned is come out at the right TIME to get the ball- if you’re too late the ball will be gone.
For a pass back, it all depends on where your defender is. If it’s possible, step out towards the defender a bit to make the pass easier. That’s all.
If the opposition have played a through ball into your area you need to have read this, to have anticipated that it was going to happen the moment it left the kickers boot. If it’s your’s to go for, come out early and quickly- hopefully you will be able to get there before the striker does.
If the opposition striker is dribbling with the ball and is entering your area, it may be appropriate to stay in your goal and wait for the shot. But if they knock it a bit too far in front of them, that is your chance to run quickly to the ball- you might both get there at the same time. Go down to the ground and slide with your arms stretched out for the ball. Be brave in going down at the stiker’s feet and you might just come out with the ball in hand.
If the ball has been played long down the field by the opposition goalkeeper or another of their players and it will land just outside your box- be out early and quickly. Just run to the ball and kick it as normal.
It is easy and simple for a soccer goalie to physically come off the line. The difficulty comes in making the judgement as to whether you can get there in time. You also need to get there fast enough so work on your speed.
Finally, be confident in your decision and call loudly so your defenders know what you’re doing. That’s all a soccer goalie can do! Other than that, just give your all to get the ball once you’ve decided to go for it.