gleaming quiver
Goalkeeper gameplay currently feels too simple. I think the role would benefit greatly from more control depth and decision-making, especially at higher skill levels.
Below is a proposal to expand goalkeeper controls in a way that:
• Rewards intentional inputs
• Increases the skill ceiling without raising the skill floor too much
• Makes Defensive Stance (DS) a meaningful, tactical choice
I’ll explain everything using Xbox controller inputs for clarity.
Three movement states involved
• Normal Movement
• Sprinting Movement
• Defensive Stance (DS)
The core idea is simple:
Goalkeepers should be able to intentionally choose between high and low dives, instead of the game deciding it automatically in all situations.
⸻
Defensive Stance (DS) – Precision & Control
This is where goalkeeping becomes skill-based.
DS + Y + Left / Right
• Performs a high dive in the chosen direction with increased dive speed
• Catches high shots
• Deflects medium-height shots
• Low shots in the same direction will go in
DS + B + Left / Right
• Performs a low dive in the chosen direction with increased dive speed
• Catches low shots
• Deflects medium-height shots
• High shots in the same direction will go in
👉 This creates a clear risk-reward system: reading the shot correctly is rewarded, guessing wrong is punished.
DS + Y (no movement input)
• Behaves exactly as it does currently in the game
DS + B (no movement input)
• Goalkeeper drops in place and extends their arms
• Slightly increases hitbox in all directions
• Useful for close-range situations
• (See image below for reference)
⸻
Normal Movement – Simpler, Less Rewarding
Y button
• Same behavior as the current game
• Automatic high/low dive selection
• No speed boost for dives
• All saves result in deflections only (no catches)
This encourages players to use DS if they want better outcomes.
B button
• Goalkeeper drops in place
• Makes themselves bigger to deflect shots away
⸻
Sprinting Movement:
Y button
• Same behavior as the current game
• Automatic high/low dive
• No speed boost for dives
• Deflections only, no catches
B button
• Goalkeeper performs a fast slide toward the ball
• Slide has:
• Increased speed
• Slightly larger hitbox
• Designed to punish attackers who dribble too late when facing the keeper
⸻
Why this improves the game
• Adds depth without complexity overload
• Separates casual goalkeeping from high-skill goalkeeping
• Makes Defensive Stance a conscious tactical choice
• Rewards reading shots instead of relying on automation
This system keeps current controls intact for casual players, while giving advanced players more control and more mastery
terse ember
I really like this idea.
The only thing I don't like is pressing one button for high jumps and another for low jumps, it complicates gameplay too much for people who don't play only as a gk.
My suggestion is to make holding the defensive stance button make your jumps 2 dimensional, so if you press up+left+jump you jump to the top left corner, if you press down+right+jump you jump towards the bottom right corner. So if you want to jump forward you let go of the DS button.
gleaming quiver
I really like this idea.
The only thing I don't like is pressing one button for ...
Nah bro. This directional movement using the analog stick for high and low saves is how it works for FC26 goalkeeping. Trust me, it is terrible. It will make goalkeeper a pain to play. Our muscle memories are already used to flicking right or left without much thought of how precisely high or low I need to move the stick. I don't like that idea at all
terse ember
Nah bro. This directional movement using the analog stick for high and low saves...
maybe they should add both and you can choose whichever method you want