GOALKEEPING High saves

Goal Keeper

In many team sports which involve scoring goals, a goalkeeper is a designated player charged with directly preventing the opposing team from scoring by intercepting shots at goal.

High save in goal keeping

High Diving Save - Top Hand The diving save using the top hand

is one of the most exciting saves that the goalkeeper can make. He soars through the air to pick the ball out of the top corner of the net, denying the shooter of what they think is a certain goal.

Cont’d

It is also one of the most difficult saves to make. It takes strength, agility, flexibility, timing and often a little bit of luck to pull off. Only goalkeepers of the highest quality are able to execute this kind of technique

Preliminary Movements

The goalkeeper needs to assess the flight of the ball as quickly as possible and decide the general direction the ball is travelling (left, right or straight?).

Cont’d

Once the goalkeeper has determined

the direction of the ball he must first

start to lean the upper half of the

body (head, shoulders, hands) in the

direction of the ball.

Cont’d

Once the goalkeeper is leaning in the

direction of the ball and his

momentum is moving in that

direction he may or may not use

additional footwork to move towards

the ball. This will depend on the

distance and speed that the ball is

travelling.

Cont’d

For short distances he can use a

shuffle step, and for longer distances

a cross-over run. In most cases the

goalkeeper will not have time for any

additional footwork.

Key points

Eye on the Ball

Hands in "Ready" Position

Lean Head and Shoulders in Direction

of the Ball

Shuffle Step or Cross-Over Step

Backswing / Recovery Movement

As the ball approaches within saving

distance the goalkeeper must begin

to lift the back leg. He will be

momentarily balancing on one foot.

The back leg should be lifted until the

foot is level with the goalkeepers hips

(parallel to the ground).

Cont’d

This will allow the goalkeeper to lean

his upper body (hands, head,

shoulders) even further in the

direction of the ball. As the

goalkeeper begins to balance on the

near leg he must also bend at the

hips, knee and ankle in order to

prepare himself to spring at the ball.

Cont’d

The hands should be kept in the

"Ready" position for as long as

possible while always keeping the

eyes focused on the ball.

Key Points

Eye on the ball

Hands in "Ready" position

Raise Back Leg as High as Possible

(Horizontal)

Bend at the Hips (closed)

Bend Near Leg at the Knee and Ankle

Hands, Head, Shoulders, Lean Further

in Direction of Ball

Force-Producing Movement

Once the ball is within saving

distance the goalkeeper must

simultaneously drive the "Top Hand"

towards the ball, extend the "Near

Leg" as quickly as possible, while

driving the "Back Leg" up towards the

chest. The goalkeeper finishes the

movement by driving forwards with

the hips and arching the lower back

Cont’d

IN order for the goalkeeper to

generate the most force he must

execute the movement by using the

biggest muscles first and the smallest

muscles last. This means the

goalkeeper drives with the

Quadriceps, Calf, and then the ankle

in that order.

Cont’d

The opening up of the hips at the end

with give the goalkeeper and extra bit

of extension to reach the ball and

begin to prepare the goalkeeper for

landing.

Key points

Eye on the ball

Fingers Spread Wide

Angle the Wrist

Hips "Open“

The Critical Instant

The "Critical Instant" is the moment

when the ball comes within reach of

the goalkeepers top hand. Eyes

should be on the ball. Fingers should

be spread wide and contact should be

made with the palm of the hand.

Cont’d

This may not always be possible and

the goalkeeper may only be able to

get his finger tips on the ball. Wrist

should be angled to push the ball

over the crossbar or wide of the post.

Hips should be "open".

Key Points

Eye on the ballFingers Spread WideAngle the WristHips "Open“

Key point

The Follow-Through

After the save is made the goalkeeper

must now think about landing as

safely as possible. The bottom hand

should be the first thing that contacts

the ground and starts to cushion the

impact.

Cont’d

The goalkeeper should land on the

side of the body with the chest and

armpit area first, then followed by the

hips and finally the legs. Upon impact

the goalkeeper may also roll with the

momentum of the dive to try and

cushion the impact further.

Cont’d

The goalkeeper may also use the

momentum of the roll to regain his

feet quickly.

Key Points

Bottom Hand to Cushion ImpactChest and Arm Pit Land FirstLegs Land Last"Roll Out of It"Regain Your Feet Quickly

Video hyperlink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pBgb-R9ufQ

Video

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