The soccer goalkeeper profile: bibliographic review
Markel Perez-Arroniz, Julio Calleja‐González, Jon Zabala-Lili, Asier Zubillaga
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this article was to review the existing scientific literature on the soccer goalkeeper. METHOD: This article has reviewed the scientific literature related to the soccer goalkeeper as long as they offered specific information about this position on the field, including a total of 56 scientific articles. RESULTS: The knowledge already recollected by authors to be able to apply it on training has been divided in the following chapters: anthropometric profile, conditional and performance profile (sprint, jump, agility, strength, aerobic capacity, mobility, and specific game technique), external load profile, and injury pathological profile. CONCLUSION: The most noteworthy conclusions obtained are: 1) the higher the level of the team, the higher and heavier the goalkeepers; 2) in early ages (9-13 years) the training of goalkeepers is not well posed, since compared to the players are worse both in physical capacities and technique; 3) the aerobic capacity at long distances does not influence the performance of the goalkeeper; 4) the sprint, the jump, the agility, and the mobility are factors that determine the performance of the goalkeeper; 5) the goalkeepers are less likely to be injured than the field players, but there are certain typical injuries in the position that must be protected by a proper way of strengthening and technique.