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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Two things, first -- practice time working on field skills is more important than game time on the field.  As long as your GK is regularly practicing with their teammates and working on foot skills, passing, etc. during practice (and outside of practice), they should continue to develop. Passing drills and small-sided games are great places for your kid to get "field" touches outside of games.

Second, the reason why GK coaches recommend field playing time at younger ages is because young teams don't play through the keeper like older teams do. If your kid's team plays out from the back and through the keeper (like they should be doing at u13) your keeper should be getting a lot of "foot" touches during the games.  If they don't -- that could be a sign to look for another club/team.

Of course, getting field playing time when your keeper is not in goal is ideal, but it sometimes isn't feasible as the keepers get older.   While the adage that the keeper should "at least be able to make the team as a field player" is true, "make the tam" and "play regularly" are very different things as things get more competitive.

Finally,  I'm not sure I fully agree with the GK coach's reasoning on field playing time.  I've always been told play in the field to develop footskills.  Playing in the goal in game and game-like situations allows the keeper to best develop their sense of how plays develop and where dangerous shots and crosses come from, with the added advantage that they see it from the right perspective and get to learn from their successes or failures in reacting to that situation.  While seeing the play develop from the other perspective (ie as the attacker) could be helpful, I don't think its an experience keepers necessarily need on a regular basis. 
[/quote]

+1. I agree with this poster. Time in goal is REALLY important for the GK to develop good instincts and practice GK skills they are learning in training. You only get so many shots on goal to practice these skills during a game. My kid would play as a guest player for tournaments on occasion so he could get some field time in.

There are lots of disadvantages to specializing in goalie. I'd be realistic about what your kid wants to accomplish and how good they are in goal and on the field. Very easy to become 2nd string goalie in HS and never get to play.[/quote]

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