Goal Kicks in FM2008

Is there any way to force keeper playing short passes to defenders from goal kicks? I tried different distribution settings but goalkeeper still plays long balls to strikers and they loses most of headers with my opponent defenders. At this point the only solution I see is using strikers with high header abilities - it doesn't change my keeper's distribution but increases my chances to win the ball with the defenders.

Changing distrubution normally works. Perhaps it's the keeper's "decisions"?

I'm also having a hard time getting my keeper to play a short pass to a defender. Even with passing set to short, distribution set to defender collect and low creative freedom, he insists on playing a long ball towards my strikers who aren't very good in the air.

Changing distrubution normally works. Perhaps it's the keeper's "decisions"?

I have just tested it playing real madrid in one friendly game. I've told keeper to play with short passes to central defender. Casillas decisions is 17 so I think it is enough to distribute ball in the way I expected. I have to admin that he played most balls according to these settings but.... all goal kicks were played with long balls - it looks like distribution settings doesn't apply to goal kicks. It is quite frustrating in blue square south - my team is one of the weakest teams in the league and sometimes my keeper has to execute even 30 goal kicks in the match - and most long balls my keeper plays are taken by opponent's defenders.

Distribute to - Player

Does *not* work.

Keeper ignores my instructions, booting it to my striker with rubbish jumping/heading, and not to my jumping 19 heading 18, strength 20 striker. Frustrating.

I think this is related to his passing, creative freedom & mentality.

My 'keeper likes doing the short throw, I can't get him to long kick even when theres an opportunity for a break. :S

That is totally true and needs to be improved. I can never get my goalkeeper to hit it to my wingers who are taller then average as you can only select one to aim for, and 50% of the time he goes straight down the middle anyway.

the thing I hate most about goal-kicks, is when my striker is adjusting the ball for the opposition's keeper. It drives me CRAZY.

As far as I'm concerned, there is absolutely NO WAY to force your keeper to play short passes to the defenders! I mean, they will do that 80% of the times, but there will always be a good 20% of long kicks (usually toward your shortest striker, who is man-marked by a defender with jumping 19) :-)