The position of goalkeeper is crucial to the success of a soccer team. As goalie, you not only are responsible for preventing the other team from scoring but also for supporting and assisting your own teammates. A successful goalkeeper is responsive, fearless and physically fit. These attributes do not occur naturally. You must be willing to put in the time and effort to improve your goalkeeping abilities to be the best possible asset to your teammates.
Work alongside your teammates to build up your basic soccer skills. A goalkeeper still needs to know how to dribble, pass and kick as there are many situations where he will need to clear the ball.
Practice kicks, throws and headbutts with a focus on improving your distance. During a game, you want to get the ball as far away from your goal as possible, so learning how to gain distance with every move available to you is important. Practice gaining distance using a medicine ball, which is much heavier, to improve your strength.