EDITION 8

Welcome to the 8th edition of the Keeper’s Newsletter.   This issue was originally going to deal with camps however, due to some difficulty getting the dates of a couple of camps, I am postponing that issue until next week.

Today’s newsletter will deal with pushing Vs catching balls.  This is for hard shots hit to the side of the keeper requiring a dive.  The decision is really same as in the decision regarding punching Vs catching.  Only attempt to catch a ball that you are confident you will be able to hold onto.  If you are not sure of this decision then push (also known as parrying) the ball.

The more difficult question to deal with is which hand should you use and what part of the hand should be used if the decision has been made to push the ball.  Assuming the decision to push has been made, the next determining factor is whether the ball is above or below the waist.  This is the easiest point to use to decide if it is a high or low dive.  If the ball is below the waist, you would use the lower hand to push the ball (for example, if the ball is hit to the keepers right side below the waist, the right hand would be used to push the ball away.  Once that decision has been made, the next decision to make is what surface of the hand should be used in pushing low balls.     The safest surface to use is the palm of the hand.  The proper technique is open hand, wrist bent back and use the heal of the hand to push the ball.    Ideally, the ball will be pushed down the end line in order to knock the ball out of danger but still keeping it in play to avoid the potential corner kick.  If the keeper uses proper footwork while preparing for the dive and takes her last step forward, this will help ensure the ball will stay in play when pushed down the line.   If the ball gets pushed back into the back of the net it usually means one of two things.   Either the keeper did not taker her last step forward, or she is arching her back while diving which will severely limit her range and force the ball either into the goal or over the end line for a goal kick.

If the ball is played to the side of the keeper and above the waist, and the keeper is not confident she can catch the ball, this ball would be pushed with the upper hand during the dive.  This means, on a shot to the keeper’s right and above her waist, the left hand would be used to push the ball.  Now that this decision has been made, the next decision is which part of the hand to use while pushing the ball.  Unlike the low ball where the palm is used, on a high ball it is best to use the fingertips to make the save.  Try to maintain contact with the ball as long as possible so it’s almost a matter of catching the ball one handed and then throwing it along the end line.  Again, try to keep the ball in play if at all possible.     The ball that is played right at waist height but to the side can be the most difficult to play since either hand may be used depending upon the individual.   The best thing to do is make the decision and stick with it.  Regardless of the hand used, concentrate on taking the last power step forward and not arching the back.  

With experience, you will find it much easier to make the correct decision as to whether to push or catch and which hand to use if the decision has been made to push.  The greater the hand strength the easier it is to hold onto more balls but even more important, the quicker the decision making process, the more successful you will be.

One of the things that you will notice about this newsletter, is I truly believe the position of keeper requires much more thought then does anything else.  I have been accused of trying to intellectualize both soccer and goalkeeping but the truth is, the position of keeper is so important and requires so much quick decision making that I believe it requires someone of extreme intelligence to play it in order to be successful.

Remember if you have missed any of the back issues of the Keeper Newsletter, the back issues can be found online at www.finesoccer.com.  Any comments, questions, or requests should be sent to comments@finesoccer.com. 

Have a great week.

Lawrence