The goalie ride is a team riding strategy used when the other team's goalie has the ball.
The main goal is simple: take away every easy pass and make the goalie make a play.
If the goalie has no good passing options, they may have to carry the ball upfield, make a bad pass, or turn the ball over.
The Main Goal of the Goalie Ride
When the goalie gets the ball, every rider needs to lock onto their assigned player.
The defense wants to:
Take away passing options
Force the goalie to carry the ball
Make the goalie rush a pass
Create a chance to strip the ball
Force a turnover
Create a fast-break opportunity
The ride can be used after a shot goes wide, after the goalie makes a save, or after an inbound play.
Lock Off Your Player
The most important part of the goalie ride is staying with your player.
As the goalie brings the ball up, every rider needs to stay attached to their assignment.
Don't leave your player just because the goalie is carrying the ball.
If a rider leaves too early, the goalie may have an easy passing option and the ride can quickly fall apart.
Make the Goalie Carry the Ball
A goalie may try to bait the riders into chasing them.
Instead of rushing, the goalie may slowly bring the ball up while looking for an open teammate.
This is where the riding team can use time to its advantage.
Stay patient.
Keep your players locked off.
Make the goalie continue carrying the ball and force them to make the first move.
What Happens at Midfield?
The ride changes when the goalie crosses midfield.
The team needs to make sure it still has a midfielder behind midfield so the team does not become offside.
This is where the call "MIDI BACK" becomes important.
When the midfielder calls "MIDI BACK," the rider covering that midfielder needs to pick up the goalie.
The job is simple:
When you hear "MIDI BACK," pick up the goalie.
Picking Up the Goalie
The rider should not always run straight at the goalie.
If the goalie is far away, doing this can make it easy for the goalie to get around the defender.
Instead, the defender should:
Drop toward the crease.
Find where the goalie is.
Move into position.
Pick up the goalie.
Shut down the goalie.
This gives the defender a better angle and makes it harder for the goalie to get around them.
Don't Give the Goalie an Easy Pass
The riding team needs to avoid letting midfielders drop down and become easy passing options.
If two midfielders drop toward the goalie, the goalie may suddenly have a simple pass.
That defeats the purpose of the ride.
Keep the other players covered while the correct defender picks up the goalie.
Communication Is Key
The goalie ride only works when everyone knows what is happening.
Players need to communicate:
Who they are covering
Where the goalie is
When the goalie crosses midfield
Who needs to pick up the goalie
When to call "MIDI BACK"
Clear communication keeps the ride organized and prevents players from chasing the same player.
Common Mistakes
Leaving Your Player Too Early
A rider leaves their assignment to chase the goalie.
Fix: Stay with your player until the ride calls for the switch.
Running Straight at the Goalie
A defender far away tries to sprint directly toward the goalie.
Fix: Drop toward the crease first, then find and pick up the goalie.
Giving the Goalie an Easy Pass
A midfielder drops too far and becomes an easy target.
Fix: Stay with your assignment and make the goalie work for every pass.
Forgetting "MIDI BACK"
The goalie crosses midfield but the defense doesn't react.
Fix: Communicate early and make the switch immediately.
Final Thoughts
The goalie ride is about making the goalie uncomfortable.
Lock off the passing options. Stay with your players. Make the goalie carry the ball and use the clock to your advantage.
When the goalie crosses midfield, communicate with "MIDI BACK" and make sure the correct defender picks up the goalie.
Keep the ride simple, stay disciplined, and force the goalie to make the difficult decision.
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