PK’s From a Keeper’s Perspective

DEALING WITH PK’S

a Keeper’s Perspective

by Simon Robinson, ODP Goalkeeper Director

When discussing penalty kicks with keepers, I find it very interesting to hear how everyone has a different way to try to deal with them. Some say, “watch the kickers hips”, others say “watch which way their plant foot is facing”, then there are those who say, “Watch their eyes just before they kick it.”

Personally, when I talk penalty kicks with keepers and try to offer my opinion on how best to deal with them, I discuss the technique I used when I played and had a lot of success with.I tried to keep it simple when facing PK’s, and just reacted to the ball once it was kicked, just like any other shot. When I explain to keepers my technique, I ask them, “Would you just guess to try and save with any other shot?”.

Guessing which way to dive before the kick is taken, in my opinion, gives you a very slim chance of making the save. Reacting to the shot and moving/diving to save the ball gives you a better chance of making the save. As a keeper, I would save approximately 3 out of every 4 PK’s I faced using this method.

Keepers tell me that they feel lots of pressure when facing PK’s. I try to remind them that the pressure is more on the striker, as they are really expected to score. A full-size goal is 192 Sq/Ft and the striker is 12 yards out, so they ‘should’ score. I tell keepers to relax, react to the shot, and commit to the save in the direction the ball is going. Well taken PK’s stand more of a chance of being scored. However, if a kick is not hit with precision and accuracy and you have reacted to the shot, you will more than likely make the save. Have you ever seen a PK where the ball is not struck well, and the keeper has already guessed and dove the other way? Imagine if that keeper had waited and reacted to the actual shot, it would have been saved.

I ask you as keepers to experiment and practice your own techniques, but I do also ask that you try the technique I have just explained. I feel you will benefit from it!

REMEMBER... • Relax (the pressure is not on you) • React (a PK is just a shot after all)

• Step in the Save (just like every

other save)

• Catch or Parry the Ball • Enjoy the PK Save!!

ACL Injury Prevention

By Kevin B. Freedman, M.D., Rothman Institute of Sports Medicine Chair, Medical Advisory Committee

Unfortunately, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in soccer and they continue to be seen in greater frequency and younger age groups. The ACL is one of the major stabilizing ligaments in the center of the knee and helps prevent the thigh bone (femur) from shifting forward on the shin bone (tibia). It also helps control rotation of the knee. About 70% or more of ACL injuries are non-contact and occur from landing awkwardly or inability to control the position of the knee. Additionally, ACL injuries are more common in females and some of this is due to differences in the way females run, cut, jump, and decelerate.

An injury to the ACL has devastating effects on our athletes including lost seasons, the need for surgery, and the potential for further knee problems in the future. The good news is that these injuries CAN BE PREVENTED! There has been extensive research performed to show that programs designed to improve athletes ability to control the way they jump and land can reduce their risk of injury. These programs can reduce the risk of injury by over 80%, are effective for both girls and boys, and can also reduce the risk of other injuries as well.

There are several programs available but all have similar elements. Most are about 12 weeks in length and begin in the preseason and continue throughout the year. They take about 10-15 minutes to preform and should be done three times per week. Typically, this replaces the traditional soccer warm-up at the beginning of practice. Performing these exercises with proper form is crucial to help avoid the trunk and knee positions that make the knee susceptible to injury. Goals of the program are to avoid vulnerable positions, increase flexibility, increase strength, and increase proprioception (your body’s ability to know where it is in space).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT ROTHMANORTHO.COM/ACL

Not all ACL injuries can be prevented, but some can. Talk to your coach. Dedicate time for you and your team to avoid these injuries and help have a successful season!

The Specific elements of each program include...

1

Warm up (Jog line to line, shuttle run, backward running)

2

Strengthening (Walking lunges, Nordic hamstring, single toe raises)

3

Plyometrics (Lateral hops over cones, forward/backward hops, single leg hops)

4

Sports-Specific Agility (Forward/ backward running/ diagonal runs/ bounding run)

5

Stretching (Calf stretch/quadriceps stretch/hamstring stretch)