GOALKEEPING

Keepers have the essential job of protecting their goal by handling the ball in any way they can. The margin for getting away with error is very, very low. Safety and effectiveness is the name of the game, when it comes to goaltending. A keeper is typically expected to make all routine saves in a match and try for whatever else he can.

 

How to handle the ball?

The goalkeeper's main objective is to prevent goals. He does that by either clearing it or catching it.
Settling the ball The general method used for settling rising shots (or shots above shoulder level) is known as The W. The name comes from the positioning of the keeper's hands. The index finger and thumb on both of his hands are locked at about 45 degrees. His hands are put next to each other, forming the letter W. Ideally, the index fingers should not be perpendicular but slightly pointing inward.
Balls directed below shoulder level (or falling balls) are handled by cushioning it from below. Similarly to handling a baby, the keeper must catch the ball from underneath, pressing it against his chest

Different methods of handling the ball:

1. Rolling ball pickup

   The safest way to gather a rolling ball is to get down on one knee and scoop it up with your hands. To ensure that the ball has no chance of going through your legs, you must have one foot planted near your grounded knee. From this position, you can bring the ball to your chest similarly as if you're handling a baby. As you lock the ball against your chest, lean forward to protect it.

2. Grounding the ball

   Raise the knee of your opposite foot (the one further away from the ball.) Leap sideways, off your other foot. When handling the ball, have your nearer arm parallel to the ground with fingers and thumb forming the bottom part of the W. Your other hand should be used for guiding the ball down.

   

3. Diving for air shots

   This is the most spectacular technique used for goalkeeping. In execution it encompasses a scissors-like movement, similar to a bicycle kick. First, raise the knee of your foot which is further away from the ball. With the knee up, take off from the foot nearer to the ball. As you're flying, accelerate the knee of your leaping foot while extending the other. When you catch the ball, get your hands on top of it and use it as a landing cushion. The ball must touch the floor before the rest of your body. Contrary to intuition, you must land the dive on your side.

   

4. Crosses

   On high crosses and steeply falling balls, you must be the first person to contact the ball. Take off from one leg with the knee of the other raised as high as you can. This will give you protection against enemies (and even teammates) that can potentially collide with you. Immediately after you grip the ball, bring it to your chest and lean over it.

   

   
    

    THROW-IN

   1. Secure the ball with both hands, ensure that the index fingers and thumbs are as close as possible (almost forming a "W" or "u" shape with fingers on the ball).

   2. Bring the ball over the head just behind the ears with your arms loose and elbows bent and flared out.

   3. Stand with your feet a little than shoulder-width apart with one foot in front of the other (start at a standstill first, then add 1 step, then 2, and so on).

   4. Face the field.

   5. Bring your head, neck, shoulders and trunk back, bending at the knees.

   6. Thrust the ball forward resulting in your entire body going forward.

   7. Release the ball as it just goes past the head.

   

   
   The throw-in is a pass; so therefore, it should have all the characteristics of a pass, i.e. played to a teammate with the proper pace so that it can be controlled easily and possession can be maintained.

   G- CORNER KICK

   
   Football corner kick techniques, tactics and training are covered here. Corners are excellent goal scoring opportunities, because the football can be crossed directly into the most dangerous area on the pitch, that is, just in front of the six yard box. A well directed header from a corner kick into this region is all that's needed to score a goal. In general, corners are directed towards either the near or far post, but there are other useful options, such as a flick-on in front of the six yard box, or to play the ball back to the top of the penalty area for a shot.
   The kicking technique for taking corners is usually to use the instep, and to kick low down and slightly across the ball to generate lift and apply spin to the ball. The spin produces swerve, and makes the cross harder for the goalkeeper to cut out. The outside of the foot can also be used to take corner kicks, but most players prefer to use the instep, because it is easier to control.
   The corner kick is usually aimed in front of the six yard box, but not into the six yard box itself. Anything inside this area will be easily caught by a skilled goalkeeper. Apart from the near and far post crosses, and the flick-on, another option is to play the ball short for a team mate to play the cross. The idea is to change the angle of the cross, and get the ball closer to the goal.

   

   H- FREE KICK

   Taking free kicks is an important skill that requires awareness of football tactics as well as sound technique. Free kicks provide an opportunity to control play, and around the penalty area they are goal scoring opportunities. The coach should plan several attacking set plays with his team, including free kicks from different angles, so that each player knows what he should be doing.
   When taking free kicks around the penalty area, the fewer touches before shooting at goal the better. Teams and coaches should aim for a direct shot or a single pass before shooting, because set plays involving more than one pass allow plenty of time for the defense to organise and close down.
   Here are some example plays:

   1. A direct shot around or over the wall.

   2. A pass to the side of the wall followed by a shot at goal.

   3. A chip over the wall towards the edge of the six yard box aiming for a player to head into goal.

   
   Other tactics include decoy runs or late runs into the penalty area. For example, a player might run up to the ball as if to take the free kick himself, but step over the ball, and run into an attacking position looking for a pass. Another tactic is to put a player on the end of the wall, to disrupt the wall, or to move late to the side of the wall looking for a pass.
   In the midfield, free kicks are opportunities to build an attack. Look to take the free kick quickly if there is a player with space, but otherwise allow time for your own team to push forward.
   In defense, free kicks are similar to goal kicks with the choice of playing a short ball, or a long ball. This will depend on your team's strength and tactics, but the ball should always be cleared from dangerous positions.

   

   I- ONE-TWO PASS

   The wall pass, or one-two is a great football tactic for working the ball through the defense, beating the offside trap, for creating space in midfield, and for avoiding tight marking. The wall pass can even be played in defense. The move is simple, player one passes the football to player two, who immediately passes it back to player one. It's important that both players keep moving, and especially that player one runs into space as soon as he has played the ball.
   An effective one-two requires team work: an understanding with your team mate. The key elements are accuracy in passing, timing and speed. Both passes should be weighted and timed so that the player receiving the ball does not have to alter stride. In the illustrations, the blue defender has to turn around and give chase, but the red attacker already has forward speed to run into space, and gains several metres over her marker.
   An understanding between players is vital when playing the wall pass. Instead of running to the outside, player one might decide to cut inside round the back of the defender. Obviously, the player making the return pass must see which way he runs. Even more embarassing and costly is the situation where the return pass is sent straight back to a player who has already started his run.