Yes, ECNL teams on the girls side generally carry two keepers. If there is only one, it's usually because someone has left the team or the coach could not find another solid keeper for the roster.
SOCCER POSTS ONLY... Can this be done?
- Thread starter Footy30
- Start date
Depends on the club (girls). My experience has been you carry 2 strong keepers at the U14/U15 ages and 1 keeper for ages above. The 2 strong keepers have the ability to play up when needed or share duties during their games.
Interesting to see keeper philosophies amongst clubs. Coming from the east coast, there was normally one keeper for the older top teams. The youngest of the olders carried the "reserve" keepers.
In AZ, it varies from club to club. May also be a reflection of lack of keepers overall or the philosophy of the league?
Desert Hound
DA
We have 2 on our team.
I think quality keeper shortage is a thing. A few years back, my oldest (boy) team carried two keepers, one much better than the other. Bringing in the second keeper changed the way they played. Many games were lost or almost lost because of bad keeper play. The following year they only carried one.
That doesn't make senese. As they get older, injuries pile up. It almost seems like they come in waves. As such, you need larger rosters/depth to ensure your team stays competitive and can field a competitive team. Once committed, I think as long as those girls get at least half a game it's ok depending on the circumstances.
oh canada
GOLD
Depends how the team plays -- if it's a kickball team where the goalie just makes saves and punts, then agree. But if it's a possession team that plays back to the goalie a lot, he/she can end up getting more touches in a half than some of the forwards in an entire game. The latter situation is much easier to accept playing one half. Not sure why any goalie would want to be a part of kickball team these days (and there are still many). Really narrowing your opportunities for the next level.
I have experience with my kids being on ridiculously large rosters and barely fielding a team rosters. Neither were ideal. I think a roster of 17 is a good number because of injuries, and I would say kids missing games but my kids teammates don't typically miss games unless they're injured or sick. I agree this size roster should be U15 and up... by this age you should have a solid roster of players with similar qualities. The biggest thing for me is that it's important when a bench player gets called in the level of the game doesn't change because that is extremely frustrating to watch. When they're younger ,it doesn't matter because it's all about development but once they hit U15 and up, there should't be a drastic change in quality of play amongst the starting 11 and the subs.
As far as GK goes, at U16 I think 2 GK should be on the team, for several reasons, one obviously is god forbid one get hurt, and second I think it's good for a GK to have some motivation to make sure they stay first GK. I don't understand when I see GK switching at halftime, it's difficult to get in a rhythm etc., but obviously it's done a lot and every gk have their own thoughts about that. If there are two GK, then the 2nd GK has to be okay with knowing he or she is #2 (and parents as well). Actually, as I'm typing, perhaps at U16, in lieu of two GK maybe carry a field player that can also play GK in the event the GK can't play.
beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I've seen large rosters struggle with coming to terms with playing time. Players/parents come and go because of it - makes for very unstable team culture and chemistry. I've seen teams struggle with small rosters when it comes to injuries and social events.
It's a hard balance. Dollar wise, larger roster is the way to go. Smaller rosters get you a better team. The clubs that are successful with smaller rosters at the U16 and above have strong, larger rosters at U14/U15, allowing them to play up. When you pull from the younger team, those parents get mad because you are likely taking away the strong players. If you don' worry so much about win/loss at U14/15, then this strategy works.
Pick your poison.
Perfect world - possession and building out of the back high level team. Requires two skilled goalies. I think goalie shortage is a thing - finding two goalies that can play out of the back with confidence isn't as easy as it sounds.
A drop in goalie talent in a half for a team that plays out of the back isn't good. It changes the way a team plays, especially for the back line.
Some clubs will make roster decisions based on $$$, other clubs will make them based on talent. I personally prefer smaller roster size, starting at U15 but definitely at U16. 1 Keeper, 10 starting field players, 4 or 5 coming off the bench - enough to add pace to the attacking players or increase defensively for the midfield. Ideally you have a field player that can fill in for the goalie in a pinch. Traveling to a showcase or playing in a "cup" game, roster 2 keepers, one from a younger team that is a proven commodity.
See, even roster size can be polarizing -
If you have two keepers, alternate games, that way the team knows the style of each keeper for the whole game. Additionally the other keeper could get some field time. Also allows the keeper to adjust their game based on who they are facing, which might not be possible only playing the first half.
I played this great game as a GK as a young lad. No way in hell am I sitting on the bench watching another GK unless I'm making lot's of cash, then I wouldnt care. As a youth, I had to be play in the game and be one of the stars. So I would demand it from the coach. You can have two GK, but I'm #1 or I walk. I would drop down a level if I had too or I would go to rival and beat you that way. I wanted my own game, win or lose. No hockey gk plays half the game, right? Back up yes, but no way share the game. As a coach, I would have two gk, but a clear #1. If #1 struggles, then I do have the right to bench.
Personally, I'm a fan of 15 player rosters. Now my son is only a U14 so my opinion may change as he ages. I think you get much better field chemistry and development for a roster this size. If you find yourself short handed, bring a player(s) up from the lower team or the top team from the lower age group. It's bonus development for the kids you bring up. If you have 17, the end of the bench players typically only play during times or at positions that mitigate the damage from the drop off in talent from the other players (unless you are blessed with incredible depth). It often does little to benefit either the player or team. Also, all players at the top levels should be able to go a full 90 (or 70 or whatever).
As far as two keepers go, I'm in favor if your playing at an ECNL, MLS Next, or equivalent level (so I'd go 15 +1 keeper). It's always helpful to have a second keeper in practice. The coach just has to be completely honest with the player regarding game minutes expectations...as they should with all player.
As far as two keepers go, I'm in favor if your playing at an ECNL, MLS Next, or equivalent level (so I'd go 15 +1 keeper). It's always helpful to have a second keeper in practice. The coach just has to be completely honest with the player regarding game minutes expectations...as they should with all player.
Yep, all of this. Let's be honest, after U15, playing at the highest levels (ECNL,GA,MLS) gets to be a brutal affair for kids and it becomes harder for parents to accept that culling of the herd is happening. Sharing playing time between 2 keeps is tough - It happens but it's rare that you get two top keepers on the same team beyond U15. You could argue that roster #s 16,17,18 are $$$ players and will struggle when on the field. It's likely, like stated above, that there are better players one age group down that will be better served to play up once in a while. Playing up is effective if done for the right reasons and to the right player.
For olders: training pool of 16 to 18 players with game day roster size of ~ 16 or the max coach decides to play with whatever sub rules are being used? Always seems like at least 2 players are out for whatever various reasons.
Every player should be playing in ever weekends league game to some degree with some minutes. Having extra players travel beyond who actually gets into game might be good learning experience but if there not going to get minutes that week should be communicated.
For tournaments 16-18 yeah for those that go past 3 games, too many games in too short of time frames, fatigue, injuries etc are bound to come up and there are lots more minutes available to spread things up.
Every player should be playing in ever weekends league game to some degree with some minutes. Having extra players travel beyond who actually gets into game might be good learning experience but if there not going to get minutes that week should be communicated.
For tournaments 16-18 yeah for those that go past 3 games, too many games in too short of time frames, fatigue, injuries etc are bound to come up and there are lots more minutes available to spread things up.
I should say that having two decent keepers is a huge luxury, even having one excellent keeper is a luxury. Legit keepers are tough to find. Partly due to lack of quality training and the demands of the job. A striker can miss 5 shots, but heaven forbid a keeper miss one shot on goal. Keepers are treated unfairly in my book.
Check it out. We agree on one thing.
Many would say that this is the life of a goalkeeper. The mental toughness of a goalkeeper is on the line every game, the closer the game the harder it is on them mentally (at least that is how I feel it is).
kickingandscreaming
PREMIER
Same