My kid basically did this. Had played rec soccer with no real technique. She was 5’9” at age 12 and a good overall athlete with strong kicking leg. She grew even taller but quit the sport a couple years later.

Anonymous wrote:Matt Turner didn't play soccer until he was 14. Ended up playing D1, USMNT, and Premiere League. Never hurts to try.

Matty Turner!

Matt Turner didn't play soccer until he was 14. Ended up playing D1, USMNT, and Premiere League. Never hurts to try.

She also needs to learn to take excellent, powerful goal kicks and punts, and know the game well enough to direct her team at times when she sees the other team setting something up. It's not just about blocking balls, as others have pointed out, which it sounds like she might naturally be pretty good at with her athleticism and her experience in other sports. But if she blocks the ball great but then can't do anything besides toe kick the ball , or can't make a punt, it will still be tough. But if she's naturally athletic, she can learn those things.

Anonymous wrote:Daughter's friend is interested in playing together in travel soccer, and would like to attend travel tryouts next year. She's never played soccer before, but have played other sports such as basketball and volleyball. She's above average height, and does not enjoy a lot of running. Is it possible for her to become a full-time goalie at that level by next year's tryouts? What is a recommended path next year, and is this realistic?

The pp who said you can definitely get on a team, but not necessarily any specific team, is spot on.

That said, a tall, athletic girl who starts at U13 could absolutely be an immediate starter in goalkeeper for most teams. Before this year, most kids have been playing 9v9 or 7v7 on small fields. The expectations of a goalkeeper on a full 11v11 are much different and so the kids with the previous goalkeeping experience do not have much of an advantage, if any, over a total noob.

Also, this is the age when girls start to grow into their adult height. I'm sorry to tell all the parents of 9 year old goalies who will be 5' 2" women at full height, but clubs and coaches would much rather have an inexperienced tall girl with potential than a short one who played GK in the past. The reality is that teams have goalkeepers at the u12 and below level not because they are developing them to be club assets at the u13 and up level... but just because they need someone to play in goal that one specific year.

Actually wanting to be a goalkeeper and having the confidence to do it is important. The hardest thing about GK is decision-making. You have to make decisions in high-pressure situations and once you decide you have to fully embrace your choice even if it was wrong. But kids who play basketball and volleyball are already good at that. It's not hard to teach them the specific choices a soccer goalie needs to make. A decent coach could
do it in a few training sessions and with active input in a few games.

OP.

There is a hug variety of "Travel Soccer Clubs."

I promise you some clubs will take any kid who just tries hard at tryouts/ or an evaluation practice. -Especially a GK. Some clubs just do not have enough kids. Usually the smaller clubs take almost all kids who want to be there and put in some effort.

She should give it a try but people always underestimate the skills of GKs. At that age, she will be expected to do more than be a shot stopper. She needs to be comfortable on the ball, have good distribution and be able to start the attack out of the back. Soccer IQ and good foot skills are vital. She must have the confidence to communicate loudly and direct the field. Certainly her volleyball experience and lack of fear of diving will go a long way for shot stopping. It could be that she is very naturally suited to the position. DS became a GK unintentionally because he came by it naturally when the rest of the kids at u9 and u10 were too fearful. It’s hard to teach the fearlessness. The question is does she understand the game and is there a GK needed? The need really depends on the level of the travel team. If there’s an established GK who is keeping the team in games, it would be hard to push her out. But if the team has a struggling GK who is really just there because they couldn’t fill the spot previously, the opportunity is there. And yes, she should work with a GK trainer this summer and also be out there practicing footskills daily.

If shes tall/athletic and can run tape 4-5 $100 bills to her jersey during tryouts. She'll make most teams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, Hope Solo was never a GK until College...she was one of the best female GKs we've ever had due to her athleticism.

But I presume she played soccer prior to that

Yes, enough for a D1 scholarship as a striker. But they puller her aside and said, you would be a phenomenal GK ... we know what we are talking about...the rest is history.

Anonymous wrote:Also, Hope Solo was never a GK until College...she was one of the best female GKs we've ever had due to her athleticism.

But I presume she played soccer prior to that