Yes – This is a dramatic headline, but with four goalkeepers from this goalkeeping community getting injured this past weekend, I feel compelled to provide information that will help reduce risks.
No way am I endorsing your players / children or yourself to go out and deliberately hurt the opposition – The phrase is about your mental attitude to getting the ball as I have found from experience that players without the correct technique, attitude or confidence to get to the ball first, results in injuries to the goalkeeper.
I am passionate about goalkeepers being safe as the first goalkeeper that I ever managed to get trials with a professional club ended up getting stretchered off the field with a broken jaw. His hesitation in going for the ball, in what I can only assume was lack of confidence led to the injury.
There are three elements to ensuring that goalkeepers come out on top when collecting balls:
- Correct technique.
- Positive attitude – A belief that you will get to the ball first.
- Confidence that if you do get a knock, that you will be fine.
Correct technique.
The correct technique in goalkeeping, not only ensures that you look great and provides the best chance possible of keeping the ball out the net, it ensures safety too.
Here are some technique tips in different scenarios;
Bouncing ball – lead with your shoulder. Keep facing forward and don’t be tempted to turn your body or spin to avoid getting hit. It is essential that you follow through with your momentum. See the first save in the video below.
High balls – Ensure knee is up ( And correct knee at that ) . The knee up serves three purposes. 1) Extra lift 2) Protection from oncoming players 3) Provide space for you to catch the ball cleanly.
You should always try to be coming forward to collect a high balls.
There has been a trend of late to have the goalkeeper land with both feet – I feel this reduces the amount of time the goalkeeper can keep their knee up in a protective manner.
See photo ( below ) of good technique when collecting a high ball.
Low balls – Dive at feet, but ensure you are low with head behind arms….. with arms / hands making first contact with ball.
To get low you have to ensure you are not too close to the ball and that you can bend your nearest leg to get a good low stance.
For more ways to collect through balls please see the article on the [The five ways to collect through balls into the box]
Examples of poor technique:
Head first!!
Feet first! ( leaves body open for impact )
Not having head behind arms.
Landing on elbow leaves body higher and more exposed.
Not having top knee come up to chest.
Positive attitude
You have to believe that you will get to every ball that you call for. Notice that I mention the communication aspect as your call of “Keeper” is an affirmation to yourself. The positive, loud shout also puts doubt in the opposition’s mind.
Communication may come in the form of self talk during the game as part of your psycological edge of opponents. Self talk can provide the platform for success by providing focus on what you want to achieve
You need to let go of previous mistakes ( having learned from them ) to reduce self doubt.
Confidence in not getting hurt.
If truth be known, when the opposition come into our penalty area and they hear a call of “Keeper”, they are more than likely more apprehensive than we are as goalkeepers coming to get the ball. They know the penalty are is our home and that we will be coming to protect it.
Confidence to get the ball and not getting hurt will increase by;
- Knowing that you have trained sufficiently to adopt the correct technique
- Adopting a physical fitness regime that makes you fast and stronger than the opposition
- By knowing you are better equipped for impact by wearing protective clothing ( Gloves, padded shorts, bigger shin guards, protective under layers, helmet are all options )
- Knowing that a good perception of you as a goalkeeper has already made players fear you. – See the article on [The perception of the goalkeeper]