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Hall Stands Tall

"I think you have to be a bit extroverted, maybe. You certainly have to have your wits about you, and try to be a bit charismatic....when you cross the white line you must take on the persona of being a goalkeeper and forget any little problems you might have. But as far as being 'crazy' - that's not a trait you have to have".

With these words Brisbane Strikers' goalkeeper Antony Hall this week defended the oft-questioned sanity of goalkeepers worldwide, as he tried to sum up what it is like to practise the specialised and sometimes isolated and unforgiving discipline of playing between the sticks.

Hall is more thoroughly qualified to offer his opinion than some observers might imagine. While he is still just 27, Hall's goalkeeping exploits have seen him play locally at North Star, Taringa Rovers, Rochedale Rovers, Ipswich Knights and University of Queensland. He has also trialled or played at English clubs Luton Town, Barnet, Boreham Wood (Vauxhall Conference) and even Liverpool (as a Youth Training Scheme player). A stint at Scottish club Clydebank and at Charleston Southern University (USA) rounded out his football education.

The job description for 'goalkeeper' specifies a markedly different set of skills and mental qualities from those of other positions in football. Unlike other players, goalkeepers spend lengthy periods of game time virtually out of the action, but when they are in the action the pressure and stakes are high.

"There are more expectations placed on goalkeepers not to make mistakes, because obviously the mistakes you make would lead to a goal, and you need to be sure with your kicks and distribution", Hall said. "But you just have to rise above it, and my sports psychology studies have helped me with that".

Hall said he places a premium on concentration to hone him for those moments when he has to make decisions and act quickly.

"I just try to keep on my toes the whole time, by communicating with as many players as possible. I make sure I'm always moving, try to play more as a sweeper, try to get a few early touches in", he said. "Concentration is two-thirds of what a 'keeper is about - I come off the field exhausted, even though I haven't been as physically involved as the other players. For me, goalkeeping is about concentration and consistency. You don't have to be spectacular - the best goalkeepers are the ones you don't notice".

Hall, however, does get noticed - and his sharp reflexes aren't the only reason for this. Another reason is because Hall's 180 cm (5'11") frame looks almost out of place in an era when more and more goalkeepers have the dimensions of basketballers. Hall simply does not believe that size matters.

"As far as I'm concerned, the ethos that a 'keeper has to be twelve feet tall is stupid", he said. "Anything over 6 feet one or two is disadvantageous, because you can't get down as quickly to low shots. When I jump and put my arms up - that's eight foot, and not many players can jump higher than that.

"I try to work a lot on my footwork, so that I can adjust quickly and spread my body to make the save - quick footwork is very important. I also do a lot of high cross work and plyometrics (exercises that build explosive power in the legs) to make sure I can jump. At the end of the day, if you can jump and compensate, being short is not a disadvantage".

While he has faith in his ability and his methods, so far this season it would be fair to say that Hall has endured some difficult times. He recently described his first half against the Rochedale Rovers as possibly the worst forty-five minutes he has ever played. And then came last weekend, when coach Bobby Hamilton informed him before the fixture against University of Queensland that he was relieving Hall of the captaincy of the team. Hall had held this distinction since he became skipper of the North Star team a couple of years ago.

"I was reasonably disappointed", Hall said with a trace of understatement. "Don't get me wrong - I will support whoever takes over one hundred percent. But I had really worked hard for it (the captaincy) and I felt I was finally getting recognition for all the hard work. And then being the new captain of the Brisbane Strikers - I was really chuffed! But things happen in football, and Bobby has his reasons, and his reasons are that he prefers not to give the captaincy to goalkeepers".

However, Hall believes that the 'silver lining' around the cloud that brought him his captaincy disappointment is that, having been relieved of that role, he can focus harder on getting into his best form. When asked what signals tell him he is on top of his game, Hall's answer referred to factors that are almost intangible and depend partly upon the level of trust he has in the players around him.

"Confidence is a big thing", he said. "When you are training well and the team are all firing and you are all on the same wavelength, that gives you confidence. But it takes time to work your way into good form. The key is mental preparation".

If having confidence in the players around him is important in bringing out the best in Hall, there is good reason to expect that he will hit top form soon. That is because he is genuinely excited about the prospects of his team this year.

"I think the potential of the squad is unlimited", he said. "Some of the players have been together before at various clubs, so there's already a good understanding there. It's early days, but everything is so positive at training, and everyone is getting stuck in. There is depth in the reserves, and it is looking positive for the future".

He is also enjoying the new experience of playing for what is, in reality, a team compiled by the combined resources of the Brisbane Strikers and North Star.

"I think it (the alliance between the clubs) is a brilliant thing", he said. "It's a really good combination. It hasn't (negatively) affected the diehard North Star players - they are very happy with it. The Brisbane Strikers name brings in players and there is a good support base with you guys. It's fantastic, and I'm very happy with it".

Looking further ahead, Hall said he retains ambitions to play full-time but feels that this probably will mean having to go overseas.

"I hope to play full time somewhere, but the opportunities are obviously limited for me in Australia - and (Queensland Roar coach) Miron Bleiberg obviously prefers six-feet-seven goalkeepers", he said. "But I'm studying personal training modules and doing well with my landscaping business so there's a lot to consider. At the moment, I'm just focussing very hard on this season".

And that is just the way we'd want it!