Charles William Alcock

“ It is undoubtedly an advantage for a goal-keeper to be a strong kick, as where the kick-off from behind has to be taken at all frequently the backs are thereby spared a lot of heavy work, and are thus able to be of very much greater use to the side. ”

“ In the event of a free kick or throw in from touch near the goal-line, or a corner-kick, the goal-keeper should not be hampered by the backs, but allowed plenty of room and a good sight of the ball This is of urgent importance, as any restriction of his freedom at such times prevents him following the ball closely, and where the smallest hesitation ' is fatal he should have nothing to interfere with his view of the ball.
Practice will alone make a really expert goal-keeper. ”

“ It is distinctly bad play to put the ball back even under the most critical circumstances in front of the goal; however hard he should be pressed, he ought always to make a point of relieving his goal by getting the ball away towards the wings, where it is, comparatively at least, out of danger. It is a very risky proceeding, too, to get even a few yards from the posts, as the game is so fast that his goal may be carried before he is able to return. ”