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GOAL KEEPING

Please select a subsection from the topics below :

A basic introduction Throwing the ball Saving
Clearing the back pass I Clearing the back pass II
Positional Play Progression on Positional Play
Attributes needed for Goalkeepers Catching High Balls
Diving (early stages) Dealing with high balls Finishing Skills
Dealing with kicked clearances Punching one hand
Conditioned Games for Goalkeepers Punching the ball
Sharpening practices Progression I Progression II
Progression III Progression IV Progression V

PUNCHING/PALMING ONE HANDED

There are times when a goalkeeper comes out to deal with a centre of shot and he simply can't get two hands to the ball because he is at full stretch.

Quite often when diving to either side (as in figure 1), he can only palm the ball away, and this needs practice.

Practice 1

The coach (C) throws the ball (varying the direction and speed of service). Normally, the coach is between 6-10 metres from the goal line.

The goalkeeper stands on the line and has to dive to stop the ball, the coach ensuring he has the player at full stretch.

In this practice the goalkeeper will normally palm the ball or finger tip it away - depending on the contact he can make.

Practice 2

The coach should also ensure the goalkeeper can react to balls just under the bar which need tipping over to safety.

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 3

Here the coach can stand either in front (as in figure 2) or to the side (as in figure 3)

In practice 2 - opposition can be brought in to put extra pressure on the goalkeeper, so in figure 3 (B) and (C) can take turns at trying to get a lead to the ball.

Contact with the goalkeeper will be made in this, but that is something to which he has to get accustomed.

The goalkeeper must be aware of (B) and (C), but he has to keep his eyes on the ball all the time, ensuring he makes the right sort of contact.

Opposition can be brought in once the coach is satisfied the correct technique has been achieved by the goalkeeper. In figure 5 the coach (C) lobs the ball into the area (B) and (A) are attackers and they try and lead the ball into goal.

(G) goalkeeper has to punch the ball away for safety - not dropping in the danger area - and coaches can set target points.

Figure 4

In practice 3, goalkeeper (G) has to react to the ball being lobbed into his 6- yard area, with (B) and (C) surging in trying to head the ball into goal.

The coach starts by throwing the ball to the edge of the 6-yard area from around 15 yards out on either flank.

(G) has to judge when to come out to try and punch the ball away, or whether he can't get there and so must stay on his line at (G1) to try and save any headed goal attempt.

If possible he must make a good contact with the punch on the ball, using the knuckles at the back of a hand.

Young goalkeepers can begin by making a fist, and with a partner (one throwing, the other punching) practice at punching technique.

Starting with arm slightly bent, stretching to full extension as the fist makes contact with the ball.
NB The goalkeeper must also practice quick movement off his line and only going to punch when he is sure he can make contact.