We hear it all the time - the role of the goalkeeper has changed. Since 1992, when the back pass law was introduced, the goalkeeper has slowly evolved from an alien figure who stayed as far away from possession as possible, to almost an 11th outfielder wearing gloves.
As the game has changed over those 30 years, more coaches and tactical systems are requiring their goalkeeper to be as competent in possession as a midfielder, identifying overloads or free spaces, before executing a pass at pin-point accuracy.
And the umbrella which covers this complex and fascinating side of the position is ‘distribution’.
What is distribution, and why is it important for goalkeepers?
It’s no longer accepted that a GK will bounce the ball twice before launching a volley into the clouds; nowadays the number 1 must be able to roll, throw, side-volley, half-volley, drive, clip, pass, and often with both feet.
Distribution is the term used to cover all of these methods with which a goalkeeper can deliver the ball to one of their teammates. All the clubs in their metaphorical golf bag. Whether that’s a 5 yard pass along the floor to their centre-back, or a 70 yard side-volley travelling at head height which puts the striker through on goal; a goalkeeper’s variety of, and competence in, each distribution method can make a huge difference to their team’s overall threat.
Given the tactical nature of today’s game, the goalkeeper is often the ‘free man’ when a team is in possession. Their physical position on the field allows them to have a complete view of the pitch, and if an opposition player comes to press them, the result is that a teammate, somewhere, is free (given that the opposition GK very rarely joins in a press!). Therefore, the goalkeeper is the one that begins the attack.
But the effectiveness of this attack is dependent on the goalkeeper’s ability to not only identify the correct target for their pass, but to execute it perfectly. All whilst knowing that a mistake will, at best, allow the opposition to advance again.
Therefore it has never been more important for goalkeepers to build their distribution skills, and their game understanding of when to utilise each ‘club’.
How has a Goalkeeper’s distribution changed?
To answer this question, I thought it best to show you a couple of videos. The first will make a few of you nostalgic, as we travel back to the 1980s, and watch some of the top goalkeepers of the time start their team’s attacks:
It’s amazing to watch, just to demonstrate how the game has changed. Improved pitch surfaces, lighter footballs, and a huge development in tactics mean that this method of distribution is rare in modern day top-flight football. The aim here is to get the ball as far up the pitch as possible, in order to protect their goal; it was an added bonus if it led to an attack!
Now, let’s compare that to this year’s Champions League Final performance by Inter Milan’s Andre Onana:
This is incredible. The calmness on the ball. The variety of techniques used to pass the ball to his teammates. The confidence to bring the ball out of his penalty area. All whilst facing a press from the best football team in the world.
If you want an exhibition in modern day distribution for goalkeepers, this was it!
What are the benefits for goalkeepers with good distribution?
Now, we can’t all be like Onana, but we can strive to improve our distribution. And if we do, we goalkeepers will notice a number of benefits.
Confidence: the knowledge that you have good distribution, and that you have put the work in on the training pitch will manifest as confidence in your game. Even if something goes wrong, or you miss a pass, the fact that you know that distribution is one of your strengths will enable you to move on quickly and hit the next one.
Trust: this is a big one. Being able to distribute well will give you the trust of your teammates and your coaches. They will trust you with the ball, as they know you will be able to hit the right pass. Coaches will also trust you through their tactics, utilising your distribution in order to help the team to play a possession-based style which, let’s face it, is always more enjoyable!
Space & Time: Ironically, the better you are at distributing under pressure from the opposition, the more time and space they will give you. Like Onana in the video earlier, once the opposite team realise your ability on the ball, they will be reluctant to press you, as it will enable you to play through that pressure to a free man. Therefore you will have more time and space to pick your pass.
Progression: Given the focus on possession-style football in the modern game, goalkeepers with good distribution skills are highly sought after. If you are able to demonstrate a high skill level with the ball at your feet, you will find that teams higher up will become interested, and you may get the opportunity to play at a higher level.
How I improved my distribution as a goalkeeper:
Growing up, I always struggled with my distribution. As a young player, I wasn’t shown the importance in having a good range of distribution, and given that I was a smaller goalkeeper, I wasn’t able to get good distance on my goal kicks. I even had to allow my centre backs to take them for me!
But as I got older, I started to realise the importance of improving my distribution. Growing helped, and by the age of 14/15 I was able to kick the ball further. But the main improvements were found by focusing on technique, rather than distance.
It may sound simple, but the ability to kick the ball with clean technique should be the basis of all distribution. There is no point having power without control. So I spent a lot of time from 18-21 working on my technique, with both feet. I even coined the phrase ‘Symmetrical Distribution’ - the ability to hit every area of the pitch, with each technique, with both feet. You can see some of my early practice from the video below!
And the beauty with distribution is that the work doesn’t stop. Whatever your level or age, there is always a way to improve, or a new technique to learn. You can always add more clubs to the bag.
What are some exercises that can help improve your distribution?
Another great thing with distribution, is you can work on it by yourself. You only need a ball.
Of course, you will need to eventually apply these skills in a game situation, be that in training or on a match day, and that is where you will see the biggest progress. But the basic techniques can be worked on any where at any time.
But there are a couple of drills which are perfect for getting started:
Targeted Clips: Start with the ball in the middle of the 6-yard line. Set out two coned squares (as big or as small as you wish), on either side of the pitch, where the full-backs would be (roughly 15/20 yards before the half way line). You can then practice hitting those squares with clipped passes off the floor from your box. You can try it with a stationary or moving ball, and can practice with both feet. Set yourself a challenge: how many can you hit out of 10 to both sides, with both feet?
Short Rebound Passes: A great one for working on close control and passes. Face a wall or a rebounder, and set out two cones, 5 yards away from the wall, and 2 yards apart. Start to the right of, and slightly behind, the right hand cone. Play a short pass off the wall or rebounder with your right foot. As the ball returns to you, take a touch across your body, behind the cones, with your right foot. Move with the ball to the left side of the left cone, and play a short pass off the wall with your left foot. As the ball returns, take a touch across your body with your left foot, back to the start position. You can continuously repeat for as many reps as you like - try to not hit the cones!
My fascination with improving my distribution meant that I had to come up with more drills in order to keep getting better. By the age of 25, I had so many, that I wanted to put together a programme which would help other goalkeepers to practice their distribution in a structured way. As a result, The Goalkeeper Distribution Programme was born.
The Goalkeeper Distribution Programme
The Goalkeeper Distribution Programme is a 12-week PDF training programme designed to help Goalkeepers to improve their distribution using all major techniques.
Containing over 80 different distribution drills, TGDP is fully adaptable to your current training programme, and also includes an Exercise List and a Programme Video, which both explain and demonstrate every single drill.
The programme is mainly focused on solo-training exercises. Some partnered drills are included for progression purposes, but alternative drills are included for those who are training alone. The only external equipment needed is 4 cones and a football!
Already trusted by 100s of Goalkeepers world wide, The Goalkeeper Distribution Programme is there for you if you want to improve your distribution, and play like the best in the game! You can get your copy here:
I hope you found this blog post valuable. Do you have a goalkeeping topic that you would like us to cover next? Let us know at info@conorokeefe.co.uk !