1. Goalkeeping Psychology
The 5 C’s
1.Commitment
2.Communication
3.Concentration
4.Confidence
5.Control

2. Commitment
“The attitude of someone who works very hard to do or support
something”

3. David James on Commitment
“Attention to detail in any sport is important, I prepare as thoroughly as
possible. Before games I use imagery work to see myself playing well and
how I will react”

4. Excellent Commitment:
•Renews effort and intensity after a goal has been scored for or against
•Makes every effort to be at as many sessions and games as possible
striving to improve in each one
•Studies the game and the position
•Does all that is asked of them by the coach in training and matches, 100%
effort
Poor Commitment:
•Gives up intensity when things go wrong
•Fails to renew efforts when needed
•Is distracted by things outside the game

5. Communication“The act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviours to
express or exchange information or to express your ideas, thoughts,
feelings, etc., to someone else”

6. Peter Shilton on Communication
“As a goalkeeper you need to be good at organising the people in front
of you and motivating them. You need to see what’s going on and react
to the threats.”

7. Excellent Communication:
•Gives positive, constructive feedback to players
•Is consistent throughout the game with his communication & information
•Listens to the coach and team-mates instructions
•Has expressive and positive body language
Poor Communication:
•Stays quiet and gives no information to team-mates
•Fails to give praise and reinforcement to a team-mate who has done something well
•Blames/criticises team-mates inappropriately
•Doesn’t listen to constructive feedback

8. Concentration
“The ability to give your attention or thought to a single object or
activity”

9. Ray Clemence on Concentration
“Concentration and decision making is the key difference between a top
goalkeeper and an international goalkeeper, it’s that fine a line”

10. Excellent Concentration:
•Adopts the right positions in open play and refocuses quickly after a break in play
•Is very aware of the movements of team-mates and use of space
•Is very aware of the movements of the opposition players
•Helps others to stay focussed, organising them
•Is able to vary the intensity of concentration in response to transitions on the pitch
Poor Concentration:
•Will be easily distracted by things outside of the game
•Drifts out of position
•Fails to refocus quickly after a mistake or break in play
•Doesn’t listen to the coaches instructions

11. Confidence
“A feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at
something”

12. Jack Butland on Confidence
“Picture your perfect performance. I start thinking about a big game days
before. I dream about making saves and playing well. Have doubts about
playing badly and that’s what will happen. Think positively, focus and
believe in your ability. I also dedicate the game to someone to help
motivate me.”

13. Excellent Confidence:
•Maintains positive body language at all times even after mistakes
•Makes positive decisions, even after mistakes
•Controls his defence
•Pushes themselves out of the comfort zone in training and games to try things
Poor Confidence:
•Allows their head to drop
•Makes poor decisions
•Shows poor body language
•Hides from the game

14. Control
“To exercise restraint or direction over; dominate; command.”

15. Joe Hart on Control
“You have got to accept you have some people saying good things and
some people saying bad. You have got to be quite strong and not get
carried away one way or another."

16. Excellent Control:
•Responds swiftly and positively after an error or setback
•Controls their arousal levels so they can perform optimally (doesn’t get carried away)
•Minimises blaming and arguing and maximises positives
•Remains composed during key periods/phases of the match (game management)
Poor Control:
•Shows excessive aggression to an opponent, referee or team-mate
•Freezes under pressure
•Blames other players for mistakes for which they were partly responsible

17. Manuel Neur, Gianluigi Buffon, Victor Valdes, Iker Casillas, Joe Hart and our very own Wes
Foderingham all have the 5 C’s…..do you?

18. Whatever the pressures are……
Enjoy your goalkeeping