GOALKEEPING BASIC GUIDE GUIDE GOALKEEPING – A- BASIC CompiledBy: by: Gary White – Technical Gary White – Technical Director Director
OVERVIEW
1. BASIC SELECTION CRITERIA 2. KEY TECHNICAL SKILLS 3. KEY TACTICAL BEHAVIORS 4. ASPECTS TO CONSIDER FOR PRACTICES
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Introduction There was a time – not so long ago in fact – when the role of the goalkeeper was considered to be less important than that of the other players in the team. Nowadays, the situation has changed considerably. In the modern game, all players are considered to be on an equal footing, irrespective of the position they play. Despite this, there are many specialists who feel that the goalkeeper has a special place in the team, since his/her performance can determine whether a team wins or loses a match. Even though a goalkeeper must, wherever possible, be given individual training at the hands of a specialist coach, they also have to take part in training sessions with the whole team, thereby allowing them to be confronted with real match situations.
This presentation focuses on the basic techniques and rudimentary tactical skills needed for the development of the modern goalkeeper and has been compiled utilizing the expertise shared by FIFA, The FA and other global goalkeeper experts.
Enjoy – Gary White, Washington Youth Soccer Technical Director
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BASIC SELECTION CRITERIA
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
The „Set Position‟ • The feet should be approximately shoulder width apart • The weight should be on the front half of the feet ensuring a balanced position • The body weight needs to be slightly forward • The knees need to be slightly flexed with the hips square to the ball • Keep the head still and keep ‘the nose in front of the toes’ • The elbows need to be narrow with the chest facing the ball • The hands need to be front of the bodyline and approximately ball width apart • ‘Prepare the hands early’ These are general guidelines. Questions will be posed as to what is the correct hand position. The goalkeeper will naturally use a position that feels comfortable and therefore they will vary. As a general statement‘ If the goalkeeper feels comfortable and has a good and consistent handling of the ball then it is not a problem. However, if handling techniques are inconsistent then hand position may need changing’. The ‘Set position’ will obviously alter slightly due to the physiological make-up of the goalkeeper but generally the principles remain the same: • The goalkeeper’s starting position in relation to the ball • Movement into line of the ball • The Set Position as the ball is struck • The assessment as to which technique will be most appropriate
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
The „W‟ Techniques • The hands need to be brought from being in front of the line of the ball into the line of trajectory of the ball with chest square. • The hands are prepared with the palms facing the ball with the fingers spread and the thumbs forming the ‘W’ shape. • The elbows need to be slightly flexed to act as ‘shock absorbers’ when the contact of the hands is made with the ball. • The contact with the ball needs to be made approximately 15-18 inches in front of the body. • ‘Soft hands- Strong Wrists’. • ‘Keep the eyes on the back of the ball’. Common problems: •
The goalkeeper’s head is not still and the head retracts as the catch is made, thus making the goalkeeper unbalanced.
•
The goalkeeper’s elbows are not flexed enough, which ‘flattens’ the hand shape which often leads to the ball catching the end of the goalkeeper’s fingers.
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
The „Cup‟ Technique • Once the ball has been struck move the body as little as possible • While in a balanced ‘set position’, the footwork may need to be adjusted slightly laterally as the ball travels towards the goalkeeper • Keeping the chest square to the ball the hands need to be brought forward in front of the bodyline • ‘Prepare the lines early’ • The elbows need to be tucked in with the palms facing up and the fingers spread • ‘Soft hands-Strong wrists’ • The feet now need to be planted solidly in preparation for the catch • On impact the ball is taken into the midriff with the palms securing the ball Common problems: •The goalkeeper jumping up as the catch is made, or the goalkeeper’s bodyweight going backwards therefore he/she is unbalanced as the catch is made
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
The „Scoop‟ Technique • Collapse at the knees to the ‘K’ position • Open the palms up to face the ball with the fingers spread • Lead with the hands which brings the bodyweight forward • Keep the head still and the eyes focused on the ball
• Bring the shoulders forward over the hands • The elbows should be slightly flexed to cushion the impact of the ball • ‘Soft hands-strong wrists’ • As the palms make contact with the ball, scoop the ball into the chest while bringing the bodyweight forward and ‘complete the save’ • ‘Recovery saves’ – to gather the ball if the ball comes off the goalkeeper • ‘Recover lines’- to defend the goal if that is the better option
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
Catching - Low Shots • Using quick sideways steps if you have time to bring the body behind the ball • Stretching out arms and hands to meet the ball far away from the goal
• Opening hands and keeping elbows close together • Moving the body forward towards the ball going down on knees • Securing the ball in front of the body
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
Catching - In the Air • Running forward out of the goal • Facing the ball while running out to save the high cross • Taking the most direct route to that point where a field player can touch the ball first to save it • Take off with the leg closer to the ball • Using the other leg as a dynamic impulse for jumping high and as a shield against approaching attackers
• Catching the ball at its highest point possible • If catching is not safe , punching it with both or one hand far away out of the box •Landing on both feet www.WashingtonYouthSoccer.org
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
The „Collapsing Save‟ This technique is used when the ball is played down the side of the body but close to the feet. It is also appropriate if the goalkeeper does not have time to move into line and use the ‘scoop’ technique. • The goalkeeper needs to collapse at the knees while ensuring that the nearest or leading hand goes behind the line of the ball. • The other hand would follow the leading hand ensuring that the bodyweight comes forward in preparation for contact with the ball. • The leading hand goes behind the ball with the other hand securing it on top- ‘Soft hands- strong wrists’. • The bodyweight now follows naturally in behind the ball to make a second barrier. • In the ideal situation the contact with the ball would be made in front of the body with the elbows slightly flexed and tucked in. • The head is then placed in behind the ball with the eyes focused to ensure the ball is secured. • In the event of the ball coming off the goalkeeper there is a ‘recovery save’ or the goalkeeper should make a ‘recovery line’ to defend the goal.
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
The „High Diving‟ Save • ‘W’ technique for hand position. • Elbows flexed. • Eyes focused on the ball between the flexed elbows. • Securing the ball on impact as the body hits the floor • Technique of ‘deflecting’ to safe areas‘Strong wrists-big palm’. • The techniques of ‘parrying’ to safe areas, • Recovery saves to gather the ball. • Recovery lines to defend the goal.
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
Deflecting- on ground shots
• On ball hand guiding the diving body •Tension on the deflecting hand • Quick step to the side for diving to jump with the on ball foot • Diving to the ball, bodyline Straight from jumping leg to the saving hand • Eyes always focused on the ball • Off ball hand taking over to the ball after having got it
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
Deflecting – Half Way Balls
• Quick short steps • Push off for diving with the on ball foot • Pushing the guiding hand towards the ball • On ball hand (close to the ball) guides the body • Diving straight on to the ball (direct route) • Giving tension on the hand for saving the hard shot • Pushing the ball sideways if no possibility to catch it with both hands
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
Deflecting - Near the Bar
• Running backwards to the goal line before jumping to save the high ball with one hand • Always observing the ball • Jumping to the ball when it falls down close to the bar • Facing the bar when pushing the ball over it
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
Punching • Building a fist of the hand • Hitting the ball with the basic parts of the finger • Punching the high ball out of the box
• Extending the ball in its flying direction by the punch • Punching with the ‘on ball hand’ • Using both hands together for punching the ball straight away
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TECHNICAL SKILLS
The goalkeeper needs to display extremely fast footwork and complete coordination for all the movements that they make.
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TACTICAL BEHAVIOR
Distribution and Communication Key-points of execution • Play to the feet or in front of the player to lead them into space from the feet or hands • Clear the ball high and wide , get them out, clear your lines as the ball moves out • Utilize GK to relieve pressure and play out of the back • Lead from the back with clear, calm and concise information • Stay connected
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TACTICAL BEHAVIOUR
Dealing with Crosses • Stance and body language of the goalkeeper needs to be ‘positive’. • Assessment of the flight of the ball. • Decision of whether to come for the ball or let the defenders deal with it. • Communication of the goalkeeper decision- ‘Loud, clear, calm and concise’. • ‘AWAY!’- Goalkeeper recovers to defend the goal.
• Communication to defenders- pushing out/marking positions. • „KEEPER!‟- Angle and speed of the goalkeepers’ approach should be the quickest and shortest route. • Timing and angle of the goalkeepers take off- take off inside leg if possible • Technique of catching at the highest and safest point- ‘elbows slightly flexed see the ball into the hands’. • If the keeper needs to punch the ball- ‘height, distance, and width’. • Two fisted or one fisted- ‘through the bottom and the middle of the ball’. • Recovery lines to defend the goal- appropriate footwork. • The roles of the Keeper: Communication, Protection and Covering the goal www.WashingtonYouthSoccer.org
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TACTICAL BEHAVIOR
Duel 1 vs. 1 Key-points of execution • Coming out from the goal line towards the ball carrier slowly, always ready to react sideways • Short steps observing the ball movements only • Spreading the body as wide as possible by holding the hands to the sides and standing safely on the balls of both feet aware of a sudden shot • Meeting the attacker as far away from the goal as possible • If the ball is played to one side, one step and dive at once to the ball to catch or push it away • If the player hesitates close to the keeper suddenly dive on the ball • Goal mouth geography
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Positioning When the ball is inside the box & when it is away from your goal
Key-points of execution • Moving always with composure but highly alert • Moving with short steps always observing the ball • Securing the angle to the near post • Position in relation to the ball and staying connected
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Shortening - the goal line Key-points of execution • Starting in the middle of the goal line and the ball when moving out of the goal
• Moving out slowly when the opponent is in possession always ready to react sideways to a shot • Delaying the opponent’s dribbling • Waiting for the first action of the opponent • Leaving the goal line just for a short distance to avoid chip • Use your posts to narrow the angel
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TACTICAL BEHAVIOR
Positioning - at corner kick Key-points of execution • Positioning from the middle of the goal line about one step back to the far post • Ready one step off the goal line • Always facing the ball at the corner
• Observing the players in front of you for organizing the defense and for possibly coming out to the ball • Securing the near post and far post areas
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SOME ASPECTS TO CONSIDER FOR PRACTICES • Practice individually and within groups of field players • Short sequences of action
• Practicing actions which are required in the game • Practicing as field player within games • Additional practice in other kinds of sports (i.e. Basketball)
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A good goalkeeper is half of a team„s victory
“A good goalkeeper will make a mistake every six matches; a very good goalkeeper will do so every nine matches; an excellent goalkeeper might commit a blunder every 12 matches; and the really top-level, international-level goalkeepers will make a mistake every 15 matches.” Alan Hodgkinson, former goalkeeping coach of the Scottish National Team www.WashingtonYouthSoccer.org
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