Short Keeper?

[Anonymous]

At what point does size matter for a keeper? My kid is on the shorter side, but loves being in goal (and is pretty good at it). He's 11. At what age will he be phased out as a goalie because of his short height?

[Anonymous]

If he has the heart and athleticism, maybe never. If he's willing to dive or attack the ball people won't make too big of a deal about his height.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabien_Barthez

He was 5'11" and has a World Cup winner's medal.

[Anonymous]

Jorge campos played for the mexican national team. Nick Rimando is short too.

[Anonymous]

To be realistic though, it may impact at what level he can play. There are online calculators that are respectable general indicators that take into account parental height and his age and height. I suggest looking at it because if he's 5'8" or 5'9", Campos did it but that's an anomaly. Most coaches will be biased against him. If a goal goes in, even if it would have gone in on any keeper, they will often assume it's height related. 5'10" or greater, and he has a chance.

[Anonymous]

From experience with my GK kid the move to full field will challenge a kid that is short. The height of the goal will prove to be challenging. My kid grew that year and the following however the first time in it was shocking how much it was different. Any high ball tucked under the bar is one that will be near impossible to defend for a short GK. With good technique that can be addressed but it will be challenging and area of weakness for any player that is short for a GK

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From experience with my GK kid the move to full field will challenge a kid that is short. The height of the goal will prove to be challenging. My kid grew that year and the following however the first time in it was shocking how much it was different. Any high ball tucked under the bar is one that will be near impossible to defend for a short GK. With good technique that can be addressed but it will be challenging and area of weakness for any player that is short for a GK

While this is true, shot stopping is just one of several important GK functions. Positioning, distribution, voice, and courage are equally important and do not depend on height.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be realistic though, it may impact at what level he can play. There are online calculators that are respectable general indicators that take into account parental height and his age and height. I suggest looking at it because if he's 5'8" or 5'9", Campos did it but that's an anomaly. Most coaches will be biased against him. If a goal goes in, even if it would have gone in on any keeper, they will often assume it's height related. 5'10" or greater, and he has a chance.

OP here. My kid is no Alison or DeGea, he will never be pro proverb play in college. He’s good for his age in part bc he is one of the few kids who actually wants to be in goal. He just loves to play and I hope he can continue to do so as long as he wants.

[Anonymous]

There are short keepers on teams up to DA level. While size is a factor it is not the only one or most important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be realistic though, it may impact at what level he can play. There are online calculators that are respectable general indicators that take into account parental height and his age and height. I suggest looking at it because if he's 5'8" or 5'9", Campos did it but that's an anomaly. Most coaches will be biased against him. If a goal goes in, even if it would have gone in on any keeper, they will often assume it's height related. 5'10" or greater, and he has a chance.

OP here. My kid is no Alison or DeGea, he will never be pro proverb play in college. He’s good for his age in part bc he is one of the few kids who actually wants to be in goal. He just loves to play and I hope he can continue to do so as long as he wants.

11 is too young to know how he's going to grow, so there's that. But as others have mentioned there are world-class keepers at all heights. This isn't basketball.
I would add that 11 isn't too young to start working on plyometric excercises, like box jumps. When coaching girl keepers (who are *never* "tall enough" by boy standards) there are lots of excercises that can substantially increase the keeper's range by improving her jump and explosiveness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be realistic though, it may impact at what level he can play. There are online calculators that are respectable general indicators that take into account parental height and his age and height. I suggest looking at it because if he's 5'8" or 5'9", Campos did it but that's an anomaly. Most coaches will be biased against him. If a goal goes in, even if it would have gone in on any keeper, they will often assume it's height related. 5'10" or greater, and he has a chance.

OP here. My kid is no Alison or DeGea, he will never be pro proverb play in college. He’s good for his age in part bc he is one of the few kids who actually wants to be in goal. He just loves to play and I hope he can continue to do so as long as he wants.

That was my son at 11 as well. Really liked it. Had the mind for it. But alas, he's now in U14 (age 13) and saw the writing on the wall (in terms of height). He is medically average height at 5'4". But at U14, in D1 NCSL most of the keepers we come up against are 6' to even 6'3". He gave GK up and now plays mid. We got a new excellent GK who is over 6'. Bummed for my DS, but that's just reality.

[Anonymous]

As a youth travel coach, I've seen several short GKs display natural ability and also ENJOYMENT at the position. GK'ing just isn't if they can touch the crossbar, but:
- command of the backline
- restricting angles
- distribution

Now, once you get beyond youth leagues you'll find a more competitive population writ large at every position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be realistic though, it may impact at what level he can play. There are online calculators that are respectable general indicators that take into account parental height and his age and height. I suggest looking at it because if he's 5'8" or 5'9", Campos did it but that's an anomaly. Most coaches will be biased against him. If a goal goes in, even if it would have gone in on any keeper, they will often assume it's height related. 5'10" or greater, and he has a chance.

OP here. My kid is no Alison or DeGea, he will never be pro proverb play in college. He’s good for his age in part bc he is one of the few kids who actually wants to be in goal. He just loves to play and I hope he can continue to do so as long as he wants.

That was my son at 11 as well. Really liked it. Had the mind for it. But alas, he's now in U14 (age 13) and saw the writing on the wall (in terms of height). He is medically average height at 5'4". But at U14, in D1 NCSL most of the keepers we come up against are 6' to even 6'3". He gave GK up and now plays mid. We got a new excellent GK who is over 6'. Bummed for my DS, but that's just reality.

That has not been my experience up to u15 boys. Sure some are tall but it varies significantly. I see more tall players at center back or striker

[Anonymous]

As a parent of a short goalie who is now 13, and still short - we have learned to encourage him, get him the training he needs and provide his opportunities. In talking with a respected D1 Coach he said kids can grow, the best thing to do is to work on his field skills, ball handling and soccer IQ, continue to work on GK training and see where it takes him. If he grows and is talented and trained he'll succeed. Our focus was never college, but that he is doing something he loves and enjoys. So far he's a goalie for one team he plays on and a midfielder for another. He is a well-rounded player who is excelling at both - but still the smallest kid on the field. We shall just have to see where it takes him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From experience with my GK kid the move to full field will challenge a kid that is short. The height of the goal will prove to be challenging. My kid grew that year and the following however the first time in it was shocking how much it was different. Any high ball tucked under the bar is one that will be near impossible to defend for a short GK. With good technique that can be addressed but it will be challenging and area of weakness for any player that is short for a GK

While this is true, shot stopping is just one of several important GK functions. Positioning, distribution, voice, and courage are equally important and do not depend on height.

+1
The most important part of your post is that he enjoys it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At what point does size matter for a keeper? My kid is on the shorter side, but loves being in goal (and is pretty good at it). He's 11. At what age will he be phased out as a goalie because of his short height?

U13