Basic Skills

Goal Keeping

Teaching goalkeeping skills is a great way to help students to understand the game better.

The key coaching points are:

Start with the ready position – balance on the balls (or front) of the feet, bend comfortably at the knees while keeping as tall as possible, and have the hands relaxed through the fingertips.
Hand positioning for high balls – the hands should form a supple web that surrounds the back side (closest to the goal) of the ball. Fingertips should be pointed up and palms facing forward. The thumbs of both hands are almost touching.
Hand positioning for low balls – the hands should form a supple web that surrounds the back side (closest to the goal) of the ball. Fingers should be pointed down and palms facing forward. The little fingers of both hands are almost touching.
Side-step quickly behind the line of the ball and try to get two hands behind the ball.
Create barriers between the ball and the goal with the body, legs and hands and have as much of body behind the ball as possible.
Concentrate until the ball is in the hands, relax at the point of contact and cushion the ball towards the body with hands.
Attack the ball whenever possible.

Saving body shots:

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Keepers need to be ready to react to a shot at any time, especially when they've gone for long periods without having to do anything.
Concentration is a major factor, and the keeper always needs to be in a "ready" position.
It is not always possible, but holding on to the ball when making a save means the opposition cannot pounce on a rebound.
And with shots coming at different heights, there are different techniques for handling the ball.

step 1

If your feet movement is good then you can take plenty of shots directly into your body.
Done properly, this is a very safe and secure way of handling the ball.
The first thing to remember is to get your body in line with the shot.

step 2

Wrap your hands round the ball and grasp it into your stomach.
Relax your body as you take the ball so that the pace of the shot is absorbed.
Then, as you straighten your body up again, grasp the ball to your chest.

How to catch crosses:
A confident keeper can take a lot of pressure off the defense by coming out to catch crosses.

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A confident keeper can take a lot of pressure off the defense by coming out to catch crosses.
But catching a ball high above your head is not the easiest skill, and it becomes a lot harder when you have an opponent challenging you.

step 1

When you want to hold on to a ball that is chest height or above, then you have to get your hands behind the ball with your fingers pointing upwards.
The two thumbs should be close together so that between them and the two index fingers a 'W' is formed.
If your thumbs are close together, there is no way that the ball can get past you.

step 2

Keep your hands relaxed - if they are too tense, you're more likely to spill the ball.
Feel the ball "stick", then clutch it to your chest.

A keeper's throwing guide:

The ability to throw the ball quickly and accurately is increasingly important.
Many of the top keepers can throw the ball more than half the length of the pitch, and the distance and accuracy they can achieve is a big counter-attacking weapon for the team.
The overarm throw allows you to clear the ball over a longer distance and at greater height.

step 1

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You need to be in a side-on position, with your weight on your back foot.
Your throwing hand should be positioned under the ball, with your throwing arm kept straight.

step 2

Use your non-throwing arm to point in the direction of your target.
You then bring this arm down as your throwing arm comes through in an arc over the top of your shoulder.

step 3

Your weight should be transferred forward as you release the ball.
It is similar to a bowler's action in cricket.
Over longer distances, concentrate on powering the arm downwards on the same line as your target spot. This will help your accuracy.

Improve your drop-kicks:
The quickest way for a keeper to get the ball upfield is a good old-fashioned drop-kick.

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The quickest way for a keeper to get the ball up field is a good old-fashioned drop-kick.
Some keepers have actually been known to score from within their own area, so a long kick is a useful weapon to have.

step 1

Hold the ball out in front of you in both hands, or in the palm of the hand opposite to your strongest foot.
As you move forward, release the ball.

step 2

Bring your kicking leg through to meet the bottom half of the ball before it bounces.
You can let the ball bounce and take it on the half-volley if you want to kick the ball at a lower height.