Goalkeeping Techniques – Basic

Goal keeping fundamentals run across; positioning yourself, the body stance and the ability to dive in a timely fashion. The body must be uniquely-positioned to stop any shot, hard or slow. To be a successful keeper, you have to remain in focus making a good timing of the ball. Prediction also comes into play. Successful goalkeepers have continuously stated that clever predictions are imperative to ensuring you save a clear penalty or open goal(s). This calls for more knowledge. Let us take a closer look.

Hands-On

Goalkeepers have a hard time keeping hands in the right position. With this comes attitude and focus on stopping any shot from any direction. Indeed, the hands’ on technique has required keepers to leverage good gloves that are able to bounce-punch any shot far away from the goal post. The hands-on goal keeping technique also require careful timing to ensure that no touched ball slips past the goal post.

Stay-Straight

As a goal-keeping, body positioning is imperative to ensuring that on-coming shots are met with the desired posture. Staying straight serves two basic principles. One, it allows the keeper to leverage a clear sight of the ball. Secondly, it allows clear vision of any deflections that come with defensive errors. Therefore, staying straight is a core competency required by players willing to get beyond basic saving skills.

Weighed Down

The former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart explains that the waist is a basic part of human body that might interfere with the success of the goal keeper. He advises adding measured inches on the leap and always being ready to counter oncoming shots. The weighed down technique ensures that the keeper can access very low shots. As the England Goalkeeper, Hart has learned to stop low shots (always called bicycle kicks). Most England players are addicted to long shots that are undeniably hard to stop for normal or average goal keepers. Therefore, the weigh down approach, albeit strenuous to upcoming keepers, is quite imperative in excelling on low/ground shots.

Lift Off

A dropper shot is hard to stop. This is the target shot given that allows the ball to fall like a curve inside the goal post. The curved shot sends the ball somewhere inaccessible by the keeper. However, the lift-off technique can help you counter these goals. To lift off, you must be ready to jump at go. Jumping involves curving your body on your waist and using the very tip of the middle finger to push the ball just above the upper goal post. Smart save, isn’t it? Successful lift offs are achieved by practicing jumping hither and thither. Learn how to jump on your toes to the highest height your posture allows. Of course, the goal post is measured and cut for the average people and you’ll definitely achieve success with lift-off practices.

Narrowing the Angle

How do you make the goal post little? What technique do you use to squeeze the post and let it look impenetrable for players? Well, to narrow the angle, you have to position yourself uniquely. If a corner is being taken, chances are that the ball will land on the center for headers and direct shots. Narrow the angle by talking to your defense people. Most goals are scored because of mere miscommunication between the keeper and his defenders. These goals come with deflections and unclear shots (blocked by those in the defensive front). Narrowing the angle goes a long way towards good communication skills and pre-judgment based on the player taking the shot. Most players have mastered on distinct shots. Gerard for example will take long and direct shots. Sterling hardly takes far shots, he gets near and near the goal post. By observing the playing techniques of different players (strikers especially), you get informed judgment skills.

Eye on the Ball

This is one RULE ever goal keeper should master. It is an exemption policy that every keeper must inherently possess. The goalkeeper will never stop a ball with eyes closed or attention away. Striker players are no joke. They are taught on massive and unstoppable shots. Some strikers are good at hoodwinking. They will move on one direction, carrying all the defense squad on one side and then give a completely different shot. Here, the goal is unimaginable and everyone is impressed by the clever technique. To stand out as a goalkeeper, on any and every shot, whether strong or tricky, you must keep eye on the ball.

Keeping the post clear of any goals is no child’s play. Goal keepers are trusted by the entire team to save them from the wrath of the opponents. As the keeper therefore, you can use the above techniques to enhance skills and standout from the crowds.