Courtesy: Gary Rue
When the ball is on the outside edge of the penalty area, the GK should be positioned on an imaginary line drawn from the near post to a point 3-4 yards straight out from the middle of the goal. The GK should be at about arms length away from the near post (I personally don't recommend much closer, unless the GK has trouble with near post collections from this distance. Shoulder against the post is too close.) The GK's feet (and hips) should open to the field not directly facing the ball. That is, the feet should be on the imaginary line. The reason for this is three fold: 1) vision for what is behind; 2) ability to move and react quickly towards the center of the goal; and 3) the body is in a more straight-on position to go collect the cross.
GKs have great trouble assessing low balls from the flank. First of all, the ball path is difficult to judge as the flight is oblique to the goal line. The GK does not have as good a point of reference to the goal as when the ball is out in front. Coming off the line for a flank ball always means giving up the goal mouth if the ball gets behind or past the GK.
Secondly, if there is any spin on the ball, it is generally away from the GK. Even a slight deviation and away from the goalline can put a ball out of the GK's reach. This spin is much harder to see and again assess with the relation to the goal. To show the problem, serve balls from the corner of the penalty area and the goalline to different targets between the near post and the penalty mark. Vary the speed, height and spin on the serves and watch the GK's delayed reaction in trying to decide if he can get to the ball. Even knowing this cross is coming, is not enough.
Thirdly, a GK must assess the attacking players that are moving to the near post--can the GK get to the ball first? Players coming from the far post side are difficult to see before the GK must make his decision. To play this ball, the GK has to assess if he can get to the cross first. If he decides, then he must commit to the ball. Else he must decide where the cross is going and who will get to it. The GK must move along that imaginary line, adjusting to the attacking player the GK feels will get to the ball first. The GK should be at that 3-4 yard mark if the GK thinks the ball will be played directly in front of the goal. On a cross to the far post, the GK may have to drop step and power step to get across the goal mouth quick enough.
Yes - the keeper can do things in many circumstances. It is a difficult thing and requires a high degree of courage for the young players. A lot of work needs to be done working with the kids in protection before working with this because the keeper is a little more exposed here.
The keeper when possible tries to intercept this ball and prevent this ball from going through the goal box. To accomplish this the keeper will dive forward facing the ball - head pointing away from the goal. The technique is the same as a low shot on goal. The only difference is the keeper prevents the ball from penetrating. This is a VERY difficult ball for the defense to clear (usually results in a corner once cleared) So depending upon skill level, teaching this GK technique can prevent many dangerous ball from developing.
Technique: Keeper must protect near post as always and then will prepare for the cross as usual. When the keeper reads the ball and determines it is a low ball that they can win. Their 1st step is important. It must be forward at an angle. Stepping backwards allows opponent to intercept the ball and increases chance for injury. 1 or 2 steps is all it will take and then a good big step forward to plant and start the dive getting both hands behind the ball and IMMEDIATELY bringing the ball down to pin. Finish this ball off like any regular dive.
The challenge with this is 1) reading the ball - keepers typically look for a crossed aerial ball. When the ball is driven low (albeit playable) you will see many GKs frozen. If the ball was in the air, they would make the save. 2) courage - The keeper is going down with perhaps 4-5 fast moving player coming directly at them. The GK must dive in the direction the are coming, they may not be able to see the ball and opponent, and they are a little exposed (head and back).
Other than that, the keeper must just use good footwork to move with the ball, cutting angle, and hope that they can block a shot from close range.
When the ball is on the outside edge of the penalty area, the GK should be positioned on an imaginary line drawn from the near post to a point 3-4 yards straight out from the middle of the goal. The GK should be at about arms length away from the near post (I personally don't recommend much closer, unless the GK has trouble with near post collections from this distance. Shoulder against the post is too close.) The GK's feet (and hips) should open to the field not directly facing the ball. That is, the feet should be on the imaginary line. The reason for this is three fold: 1) vision for what is behind; 2) ability to move and react quickly towards the center of the goal; and 3) the body is in a more straight-on position to go collect the cross.
GKs have great trouble assessing low balls from the flank. First of all, the ball path is difficult to judge as the flight is oblique to the goal line. The GK does not have as good a point of reference to the goal as when the ball is out in front. Coming off the line for a flank ball always means giving up the goal mouth if the ball gets behind or past the GK.
Secondly, if there is any spin on the ball, it is generally away from the GK. Even a slight deviation and away from the goalline can put a ball out of the GK's reach. This spin is much harder to see and again assess with the relation to the goal. To show the problem, serve balls from the corner of the penalty area and the goalline to different targets between the near post and the penalty mark. Vary the speed, height and spin on the serves and watch the GK's delayed reaction in trying to decide if he can get to the ball. Even knowing this cross is coming, is not enough.
Thirdly, a GK must assess the attacking players that are moving to the near post--can the GK get to the ball first? Players coming from the far post side are difficult to see before the GK must make his decision. To play this ball, the GK has to assess if he can get to the cross first. If he decides, then he must commit to the ball. Else he must decide where the cross is going and who will get to it. The GK must move along that imaginary line, adjusting to the attacking player the GK feels will get to the ball first. The GK should be at that 3-4 yard mark if the GK thinks the ball will be played directly in front of the goal. On a cross to the far post, the GK may have to drop step and power step to get across the goal mouth quick enough.
Yes - the keeper can do things in many circumstances. It is a difficult thing and requires a high degree of courage for the young players. A lot of work needs to be done working with the kids in protection before working with this because the keeper is a little more exposed here.
The keeper when possible tries to intercept this ball and prevent this ball from going through the goal box. To accomplish this the keeper will dive forward facing the ball - head pointing away from the goal. The technique is the same as a low shot on goal. The only difference is the keeper prevents the ball from penetrating. This is a VERY difficult ball for the defense to clear (usually results in a corner once cleared) So depending upon skill level, teaching this GK technique can prevent many dangerous ball from developing.
Technique: Keeper must protect near post as always and then will prepare for the cross as usual. When the keeper reads the ball and determines it is a low ball that they can win. Their 1st step is important. It must be forward at an angle. Stepping backwards allows opponent to intercept the ball and increases chance for injury. 1 or 2 steps is all it will take and then a good big step forward to plant and start the dive getting both hands behind the ball and IMMEDIATELY bringing the ball down to pin. Finish this ball off like any regular dive.
The challenge with this is 1) reading the ball - keepers typically look for a crossed aerial ball. When the ball is driven low (albeit playable) you will see many GKs frozen. If the ball was in the air, they would make the save. 2) courage - The keeper is going down with perhaps 4-5 fast moving player coming directly at them. The GK must dive in the direction the are coming, they may not be able to see the ball and opponent, and they are a little exposed (head and back).
Other than that, the keeper must just use good footwork to move with the ball, cutting angle, and hope that they can block a shot from close range.
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