KEEPERS RESOURCES
The need for speed
Not the video game I used to enjoy playing as a youngster, but making use of a title with the phrase with an allusion to the same premise, when it comes to getting involved with the game and being able to instantly sprint out when called upon, rather than looking like you’re not interested in winning! Arguably, whilst a goalkeeper may not be ‘on the move’ all the time as their team mates go up and down the pitch, the goalkeeper needs to able to react explosively and be able to run as quickly as possible within their kit to charge down an attacker or rebound opportunity say. And when it comes to your role and play within the overall game as a goalkeeper, you have to be ‘quick off the mark’ and a ‘speed demon’ (well, maybe not, that’s more like ‘Need for Speed’ but the metaphor’s there!) in relation to sprinting out for loose balls or interceptions; same for foot work and getting across goal.
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Decision making
Decision making is an essential part of goalkeeping in the wider role of influencing the game and eliminating scoring opportunities to reduce the number of shots you face during a game. Shot stopping is obviously down to technique and fundamentals (positioning, angles), but decision making is a skill that is so fundamental and essential, yet difficult to learn and arguably something not totally taught by goalkeeper coaches, in the sense that if you are working purely and simply on technique. You may be able to do well in training focusing on shot stopping and foot work and so on, but if drills are not representative of in-game action or skills, then maybe it is possible to argue that.
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The ‘No goals rules’…
With easy goals not encouraged, the 'no goals' rules can be a useful reminder of how not to get scored on!
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Control your rebounds!
Rebound control is an important part of reducing the opposition's scoring chances.
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Always challenging the shot
By stepping further out and narrowing angles, you can more readily challenge shots with aggressive positioning.
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Saving with the rhp
Making use of the rhp to make saves to the right will obviously help with shot stopping but also with rebound control.
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Attack the ball!
Actively acting the shot helps challenge and will improve your save percentage.
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Focus on the ball!
Focusing on the ball will increase your success rate in saving shots.
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What makes a great goalkeeper?
With the Olympics upon us, now is a good time to reflect on what it takes to be a goalkeeper at the elite level.
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Collecting the ball
Catching up on lost time - think I should get my act together and posting articles I've stored up!
Anyway, here's a super quick tip on collecting the ball if you haven't considered it before, although I guess the chances are slim... we don't all have ball boys at our games!
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Warming up the Dutch way
Another article on warming up, this time focusing on the Dutch method. If you are going to do it, make sure your shooter knows what they're doing, as I've heard a few horror stories!
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Keeping warm
Just another quick article on keeping warm during/between halves at a match.
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‘Bouncing’
Just a quick article on the technique of 'bouncing'.
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Watch and learn off other goalkeepers
Been pretty busy lately and will be this year, so unfortunately can't post as much as I'd like. Nothing spectacular, but a basic concept about how to learn by watching other goalkeepers (generally of the higher levels!).
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Warming up
Warming up is an essential part of a pre-game routine. By warming up properly, you will be ready to go as soon as the whistle is blown.
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Shots outside the D
For a shot to be a goal it needs to be scored within the D. If a shot is taken from outside the D and no-one touches it within the D, then it won't count as a goal. By leaving it, you will give your team a 16 and the chance to restart play to their advantage.
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Being set for the shot
When making a save, you need to be in position in time. If you are still moving, then you can put yourself off balance or turn away from the shot. Instead, it is important to cut down your movement and pre-set for the save.
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Lateral movement
Moving in shuffles is an essential part of getting around the D; staying in front of the play where you can block, rather than being side-on and turned away from goal.
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Moving around your D
Moving around your D is just as important as controlling it; if you’re not moving into position every time the ball moves, you’re not going to be into position to make the save. Shuffling is the main vehicle for moving around, for sideways movement across the D and between attackers, but don’t rule out running … Continue reading "Moving around your D"
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Finding The post
Sometimes when moving around goal and focusing on the play around you, you can forget where you are in relation to the post and lose your angles; 'tapping' the post is a simple way of getting round this.
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Advanced positioning
To make the most of angle play, and challenging the shooter’s angle of the possible shot, you must understand your positioning in relation to the goal, and the ball itself. By really challenging the angle, and ‘getting in the face’ of the shooter, you should be able to force the shot wide; coming out so … Continue reading "Advanced positioning"
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Making use of your angles
Now that you have grown used to positioning yourself in the correct angle around goal and the D, it is important to employ your angles in playing a situation to your advantage. Learning to be aggressive with your positioning to challenge the shooter really gives you an edge when faced with an open opportunity against … Continue reading "Making use of your angles"
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Deciding on your stance
The age old perspective is that positioning in a stance is up for to you to decide, according to your height, weight etc. or should follow a theoretic stance. Again, everybody is different, so not everyone’s going to be happy doing the same thing. Body posture affects both how you make the save and how … Continue reading "Deciding on your stance"
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The Ready Stance
The ready stance is your basic form of positioning – readying for the shot, and possible action. In essence, you should be in your ready stance whenever the game is in your end; you should be prepared for anything, as anything could happen. I personally change up and adapt my stance to suit different game … Continue reading "The Ready Stance"
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Understanding The Stances
With the modern stance developing with the increased need for movement, and making use of the hands to make reflexive saves at the higher area of the net, two distinctive styles haves started to stand out. The varying stances will be described and evaluated next: the Y style popular in Europe and the X stance, … Continue reading "Understanding The Stances"
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Understanding Angles
The principal of angles dictates your whole game; playing the angles and setting up in front of a shot is all about cutting down shooting space, giving you a greater chance of making the save, rather than leaving too much open and having to make every save by throwing yourself around. Learning the different angles … Continue reading "Understanding Angles"
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The Arc Around The Goal
As the ball moves around the pitch, more shooting lanes open up. As you face these different angles, you have to be able to move across with the ball; moving into cover the new angle, changing angles to suit the change in play and allow you to make the save against the new shot. ‘The … Continue reading "The Arc Around The Goal"
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Kicking
Kicking is fundamental to field hockey goalkeeping; goalkeepers are separated by their ability to pass the ball with their feet. With the ‘foot’ rule for outfield players, we are the only person who is allowed to legally use their feet to our own and our team’s advantage. It is therefore essential that you have good … Continue reading "Kicking"
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