The 5 C's

   Being a goalie in soccer is not easy. Honestly, I feel like goalie is one of the most difficult positions on the field. I’m not saying the other positons are not important; but goalies need to have something more than just skill in the net. Goalkeepers are a part of the soccer team but they are an entirely different breed. Sometimes I feel like I am not actually a part of the team because we get our own training. But, while goalies are with the team in practice they are not the ones who are being cheered on. The offenders are the ones who are cheered on. Goalies also need to have a specific mindset. It is true that you can be a goalie without the mindset but you will not get that far, in my opinion.

I have played goalie for the past 5 years, as the official goalkeeper. In my first two years my goalie coach introduced this idea called the 5 C’s. I have used this idea in goal ever since they were introduced to me. But, this idea doesn’t just work in goal. It works in life as well.

   The first C is Courage. As a goalie I need to have the courage to go out and get the ball, no matter who is in the way. A goalie needs to be willing to sacrifice herself in order to get the ball, or make the save. In life we need to be willing to have the courage to do things that may be outside our comfort zone. God sometimes calls us to do things that are not easy or that are scary. But, if God calls us to it he will bring us through it. We just need to have the courage to follow him.

   The second C is Confidence. Goalkeepers need to do everything with confidence. If a goalie is going out to make a save and they do not believe that they are going to save it, then they will not save it. I’m not saying they won’t make the save some of the time; but most of the time if a person believes that there is no way they can make the save, then they probably will not. Also if a goalie does not come out in confidence they run the risk of getting hurt. In life we need to have confidence in all we do. We cannot be timid. We need to have confidence in all we say and do, especially when we are talking about our faith. That is why we need to be prepared to tell others what we believe and why we believe it.

   The third C is Composure. Goalies cannot freak out when they are in the net. If a goalkeeper is not mentally prepared then they will have problems during the game. Soccer is more than a physical sport. If a person is not mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared for a game they will not play well. Goalies need to know exactly what they need to do and when they need to do it. They cannot be freaking out on the inside or the outside. In life we need to have faith in God when difficult, or stressful, times come along. We need to remember that God is on our side no matter what. We need to stay composed in all we do and trust in Him.

   Next is Communication. A goalie is essentially playing every position on the field. They need to know exactly what is going on everywhere on the field. Keepers need to communicate with their teammates so the team knows what they need to do next. If there is any miscommunication from the goalie or any teammate in general, it could result in someone getting hurt or a goal being scored. In life if people do not have communication then mistakes happen. And, depending on the person’s job, they could hurt many people. That is why communication is vital in today’s society. If we do not communicate properly people get hurt.

   The final C is Concentration. A goalkeeper needs to be focused on the game at all times. If the goalie takes their eyes off the field even for one second it could cost them the game. Along with concentration comes attitude. Goalies may mess up, lose focus, or get stressed; but through it all goalies need to keep a positive attitude. I have found that my attitude affects my teammates’ attitude. If I focus on that goal that I let in then my team will focus on it too. However if I let that mistake go and try to encourage my team, then they keep playing to the best of their ability. In life we need to focus on the task at hand. If we lose focus on what we are doing then we may let other people down. We also need to have a good attitude no matter what happens. Life will get difficult but with God on our side we know that everything will be alright.

   I have played every position in soccer, coached teams, and I was a referee. I can honestly say that goalkeeping is the most physically, emotionally, and mentally draining position I’ve ever been in. But, this position has taught me so much about myself and life. I am thankful for the time that I have played this position, even if I did get abused a lot. In life we may feel like we are getting abused at times. But, that’s when we need to remember that everything happens for a reason.

   So, how can you incorporate the 5 C’s into your life? Are you trusting God through all times of trials?

   Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:6-7, Proverbs 15:2, Hebrews 12:1-2