Goal keeping & Football

May 13 2008 | Articles

Doing Body Shots

• Keepers must be ready anytime.

• Keepers must always be ready in position and concentrate.

• The opponents cannot pounce on a rebound keepers hold onto the ball.

• Techniques are learned to counteract shots from different heights.

• Good footwork is very fundamental.

• Get your body in lined with the shot.

• Hold the ball close to your body.

• Relax the body while holding the ball.

• Straighten the body and grab the ball to your chest.

Catching the Shots

• Confidence is a favorable quality in catching crosses.

• Catching the ball above your head is not as easy as it looks.

• Holding the ball behind with fingers pointing upward is useful when holding the ball in chest height or above.

• Form a “W” by closing two thumbs together with two index fingers in between.

• Closing the thumbs together will help secure the ball.

• Avoid spilling the ball by holding the ball tightly. Relax your hands.

• Clutch the ball into your chest.

Diving

• Keep the ball out of the net. Make a diving save.

• Sharp actions and good footwork are needed to do diving save.

• Get into the position early.

• Reach for the ball when you dive. Be on your toes and move your feet.

• Bend your knees, dive and collapse that leg as you fall.

• Keep your arms visible and reach out as far sa you can.

• Try to hold on the shot.

• Avoid chances of rebound by pushing the ball away from the goal, if you can’t.

• Immediately stand back after driving the save.

Ball Roll

• Catch the ball from the opponent as quick as possible.

• For short distances, do a rolling throw.

• Place the ball on the palm of your dominant hand.

• Bend your knees and forward the opposite leg.

• Get the ball out.

• Transfer your weight forward, bring the arm through and release the ball when it reaches the level of your front foot.

• Increase the distance and exaggerate the follow through.

The Throw

• Throw the ball quickly and precisely.

• The distance and accuracy achieved by throwing the ball serves as a good counter attack.

• Clear the ball at a greater distance and height by an overarm throw.

• It is more precise than kicking the ball.

• Stay on a side position, bend your knees, and put your weight on your back foot.

• Position your hand under the ball and keep your arm straight.

• Direct your target by using the free hand.

• After knowing the direction of the target, bring the free arm down and raise the arm with the ball from the back onto the top of your shoulder.

• Transfer your weight forward as you transfer the ball.

• This resembles the cricket’s bowler action.

• Focus on the aptitude of the arm downward on the same line over longer distances to keep accuracy.

The Kicking

• A good-drop kick is the easiest way to get the ball upfield.

• A long kick serves as a good weapon to score.

• Hold the ball with both hands and aim it in front of you.

• Release the ball as you move forward.

• Meet the lower half of the ball with your kicking foot before it bounces.

• Let the ball bounce and kick the ball while it springs in the air. This action equates with a greater chance of miskick.