How to select and train professional male soccer goalkeepers: Expert opinion by semi-structured interview

Perez-Arroniz, M ORCID: 0009-0009-9283-0573, Calleja-González, J ORCID: 0000-0003-2575-7168, Fernández-Navarro, J ORCID: 0000-0002-5367-1575 and Zubillaga-Zubiaga, A ORCID: 0000-0003-0660-4545 (2025) How to select and train professional male soccer goalkeepers: Expert opinion by semi-structured interview. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. ISSN 1440-2440

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Abstract

Objectives: The main aim of the present study is to provide insight into the recruitment tactics, and training methods and strategies that professional coaches apply in their day-to-day work to best prepare their athletes for the highest levels of competition. Design: Expert opinion from semi-structured interview, qualitative. Methods: The opinion of 15 professional goalkeeper coaches was gathered using a semi-structured interview. Following transcription, a thematic content analysis was conducted to identify and analyse patterns within the data. Results: Several key considerations emerge that any coach should take into account. 1) When integrating a new goalkeeper into a club, it is essential to assess whether their profile aligns with the club's style of play and philosophy, 2) training should focus both on the goalkeeper's individual development and on preparing them for the challenges posed by upcoming opponents, and 3) coaches must recognise that they are working with individuals rather than a homogeneous group, making it essential to understand and respond to the unique needs of each goalkeeper. Conclusions: The findings suggested that selecting and training professional goalkeepers is a multifactorial process that requires considering technical, tactical, psychological, physical, playing style and organisational factors.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Goalkeeper; Performance; Soccer; Training; 42 Health Sciences; 4207 Sports Science and Exercise; 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences; 1116 Medical Physiology; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; Sport Sciences; 3202 Clinical sciences; 4207 Sports science and exercise; 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV561 Sports > GV711 Coaching G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV561 Sports
Divisions:	Sport and Exercise Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
Date of acceptance:	10 November 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	23 December 2025
Date Deposited:	23 Dec 2025 09:38
Last Modified:	23 Dec 2025 09:38
DOI or ID number:	10.1016/j.jsams.2025.11.006
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27772

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