The Soccer Goalkeeper

Joe Luxbacher, PhD, has more than 30 years of experience playing and coaching soccer at all levels. A former professional soccer player for the North American Soccer League, American Soccer League, and Major Indoor Soccer League, he is the head men's soccer coach at the University of Pittsburgh, a position he has held since 1984. Twice selected Big East Conference Soccer Coach of the Year, Luxbacher has authored more than a dozen books and numerous articles on the sport of soccer. His soccer articles have appeared in national publications such as Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director and Soccer Journal. Coach Luxbacher was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, and was designated a "Letterman of Distinction" by the University of Pittsburgh in 2003. Luxbacher resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his wife Gail and children Eliza and Travis.

Equipping your body for action; thinking the game in the net; receiving low and medium balls; handling high balls and crosses; diving to save; saving the breakaway; distributing the ball; maximizing footwork and range; positioning for maximum coverage; defending restarts; initiating team attack; organizing and directing defenders.