1. DYSL Goalkeeper Course
Victor Bañuelos
DYSL Goalkeeper Coach
April 5, 2014

2. Topics Goalkeeper Psychology Goalkeeper Ready Stance and Positioning
Below Elbow Saves
Chest Height Saves
High Ball Saves and Crosses
Falling
Diving

3. Topics (Cont.) I v. Goalkeeper Saves Close Down Sliding Save Footwork
Ball Distribution
Throws
Kicks

4. Goalkeeper Psychology
A goalkeeper’s mental strength will be tested because they will have to bounce back from embarrassing errors
It’s crucial that mistakes are not perceived as failure, but as lessons on what to do differently next time
The GK’s mindset must be that talent comes through effort
Concentration is key as there may be games in which there is minimal GK involvement for long periods of time
Their ability to stay “in the moment” is one of the most overlooked attributes of a successful GK

5. Goalkeeper Psychology (Cont.)
Confidence is crucial (self-talk and self-motivate)
Accept applause, but don’t expect it (don’t let it be the reason for your motivation).
Must be a motivator: transfer motivation and confidence to your teammates to promote their play and confidence
Goalkeeper is last line of defense and can see entire field, because of this GK must have ability to communicate in calm and confident manner to build teammate optimism
GK should possess emotional control

6. Goalkeeper Ready Stance
Proper Ready GK Stance:
Feet should be shoulder width apart with toes pointed forward
Weight on balls of feet off the heals with knees slightly bent forward
Upper body leaning slightly forward while balanced
Arms out to the side and in front of body line
Palms of hands facing ball and maintained at height of elbows

7. Practicing Goalkeeper Ready Stance

8. Goalkeeper Positioning
Goalkeeper should continually adjust position to ball in order to achieve correct positioning prior to saving a shot
GK should always be in line with ball and center of goal
For wide shots GK should be positioned slightly closer to near post (near post becomes primary concern when positioning for wide shots)
Move up and become part of defense when own team has possession of ball
Transition back to goal when opposing team has possession

9. GK’s positioning for shot-stopping

10. GK Exercise for Angled Shots

11. Below Elbow Saves Low ball straight to body and below elbow line
Step to ball and place outside foot outside of the ball
Bring hands low with palm of hands slightly below the bottom of the ball
Pinky finger tips touching each other with elbows slightly close together and forearms parallel to each other
Scoop ball into chest and either fall forward or step forward on follow through after securing ball into chest with both hands.

12. Below Elbow Saves (Cont.)
Low ball to side of body and below elbow line
Shuffle step out to side of ball with body completely behind the line of the ball
Hands should be placed in front of body with forearms parallel to each other and palm of hands slightly below the bottom of the ball
Scoop ball into chest and either fall forward or step forward on follow through after securing ball into chest with both hands

13. Safe hands game with 3 ‘keepers

14. Chest Height Saves Chest height saves straight to body
Step to ball and place either foot outside of ball while maintaining body in line of flight of the ball
Bring hands immediately out to meet ball
Forefingers and thumbs in diamond formation to create basket behind ball (no “W” hand formation)
Use elbows to soften or slow down speed of ball
Once ball is secured spin hands behind ball and bring to chest to secure with both hands

15. Chest Height Saves (Cont.)
Chest height saves to side of body
Shuffle step out to side of ball and bring hands immediately out to meet ball maintaining body in line of flight of the ball
Forefingers and thumbs in diamond formation to create basket behind ball (no “W” hand formation)
Hands should be placed out in front of body and use elbows to soften or slow down speed of ball.
Once ball is secured spin hands behind ball and bring to chest to secure with both hands

16. Footwork and Shot Stopping

17. High Ball Saves
Ensure feet are set and follow up with drive step forward while timing jump at highest possible point of interception
Leg opposite of opponent pressure should be used to drive up and jump as high as possible
Leg closest to direction of opponent pressure should be up form a right angle to body for protection
Hands to the ball in a diamond formation ensuring position of hands is slightly underneath and behind ball to form basket
Arms fully extended to intercept ball at highest possible point
Once ball is caught, it must be brought into chest and secured to avoid mishandling after save

18. Goalkeeper Technique for Crosses
GK must accurately assess the flight of the ball by judging the line, pace and trajectory of the flight of the ball
Based on assessment GK must decide to either drive out for the cross and shout “KEEPER!” or stay between the posts and shout “AWAY!” (alerts defenders to head/volley ball clear)
If GK decides to drive for ball, GK should move late but quickly to ball; this allows GK to build momentum into their jump for the ball
If GK moves too quickly and stands stationary before the catch, progress could be impeded by the momentum of other players
Utilizing this technique increases elevation in GK’s jump toward ball

19. Catching a Ball on a Cross
When driving for ball, a 1-footed take-off is preferred; this allows GK the chance to protect themselves with a raised knee
GK should catch the ball in front of them in order to recover quickly if ball is dropped
If GK attempts to catch ball behind their head, they may lose sight of the ball if it’s dropped
Arms should be outstretched to take the ball at its high point but within the GK’s range

20. Punching a Ball on a Cross
If GK decides to punch, they may either use 1-fist or 2-fists to punch the ball away from the goal
If GK attacks ball when body is in line with the flight of the ball a 2- fisted punch will achieve greater distance
If GK approaches ball across line of flight (i.e. GK cannot get in line with ball), a 1-fisted technique is preferred
Crosses from GK’s left should be punched with left fist and crosses from right should be punched with the right
Make contact with the bottom half of ball and follow through to achieve height and distance on your punch; this provides defenders sufficient time to recover and move away from goal

21. GK Starting Position for Crosses

22. The Crossing Game

23. Falling Technique
Power step forward with foot closest to direction of the ball
Hands to ball in a diamond formation
Ball should hit the turf first with ground as third hand (hand closer to turf should be behind ball with opposite hand on top of ball pinning ball to turf)
Fall with outside of knee landing on turf first, followed by hip and finally side of body and back side of arm while keeping arms extended to ball (ensure keeper avoids using elbow or hand to break fall)

24. Falling Technique (Cont.)
Falling Progression (WITHOUT BALL)
Sitting
Kneeling
Squatting
Goalkeeper Ready Stance Position
Falling Progression (WITH BALL and low ground serves)

25. Diving Technique
Power step forward with foot closest to direction of the ball
Hands to the ball in a diamond formation
Drive with power step toward ball
Closest leg drive will give distance while opposite leg drive will determine height of dive
Ball should hit the turf first with ground as third hand (hand closer to turf should be behind ball with opposite hand on top of ball pinning ball to turf)
Ensure GK lands on hips, side of rib cage and back of arm with arm fully extended (Note: novice GKs are prone to landing on their knees and elbows so watch for these errors)

26. Diving Technique (Cont.)
Diving Progression (stationary ball–hold ball waist height 1 ½-2 GK lengths away to side and slightly forward)
Sitting
Kneeling
One knee down one knee up (dive over knee that is up)
Squatting
Goalkeeper Ready Stance Position
Diving Progression (serve ball about 1 ½ to 2 GK lengths to side and waist height)

27. Collapse Dive Technique
Kick out foot closest to direction of the ball across body to opposite side (Ensure GK does not kick forward thereby pushing body away from ball and minimizing coverage area)
Hands to the ball in a diamond formation
The faster and harder a GK kicks out, the quicker GK will reach ground
Ensure GK lands on hips, side of rib cage and back of arm with arm fully extended (GK should finish exactly as in “Falling Technique” position)
Ball should hit the turf first with ground as third hand (hand closer to turf should be behind ball with opposite hand on top of ball pinning ball to turf)

28. Collapse Dive Technique (Cont.)
Diving Progression (stationary ball – place ball about GK length away slightly forward and to side)
Squatting
Goalkeeper Ready Stance Position
Diving Progression (serve rolling ball about GK length away and to side)

29. Goalkeeper Diving Technique

30. Goalkeeper Footwork
Goalkeeper requires fast footwork to enable GK to get into line with flight of ball as soon as possible
Shuffle
GK’s movements across goal should be a quick shuffle movement (Ensure distance between feet is always shoulder width apart even when moving)
Avoid crossing feet because GK’s reaction time is slower and doesn’t allow for maximum distance when diving

31. Goalkeeper Footwork (Cont.)
Cross step
Allows GK to move backwards towards own goal without having to backpedal and risk being caught on heels
Allows GK to jump to ball with maximum height
Cross stepping to right lead with left foot in front of right, when cross stepping to left, lead with right front in front of left

32. Change of direction saves (1)

33. Change of direction saves (2)

34. Close Down Technique
When GK realizes a through-ball has penetrated last line of defense and there’s little chance of recovery, GK should come out quickly to close down attacker and narrow the angle
Close down technique should be used by GK when attacker is going to or has possession of ball
GK must realize potential for being chipped if they come out to soon and too quickly
GK needs to come off line hard then slow down as they approach attacker
GK hands should be lowered and knees bent with feet shoulder width apart (similar to squat position)

35. Close Down Technique (Cont.)
GK should not get too close to attacker and stay on their toes with weight forward ready to react and leave about two-arm lengths of cushion between themselves and attacker
When attacker is within 10 yards they must make short steps to close down distance, be in line with ball and able to react in an instant
It’s important that GK does not leave feet too soon as this will take pressure off forward by easing their decision
Have GK begin by closing on a stationary attacker then have them work against attacker running at them at various speeds

36. Close Down Technique

37. Sliding Save Technique
When GK realizes a through-ball has penetrated last line of defense and there’s little chance of recovery, GK should come out and quickly eliminate attacker’s possession of ball
Sliding Save should be used when GK and attacker are both attacking a 50/50 ball
GK should stay in line with ball
GK should come off line and sprint forward towards ball (ensure GK doesn't step to side to set up slide, doing so will leave goal exposed for quick low shot)
GK should use same technique as in collapse dive and proceed to slide body forward while performing this technique

38. Sliding Save Technique (Cont.)
GK hands to ball first then slide through ball with belly button as the target to the ball
GK should finish in square and protected position (should look like they finished a dive)
Going down feet first should is not recommended because it provides the opposition with rebound opportunities
Avoid having GK attacking ball head first as this may lead to a severe injury or concussion
Attacking ball with either feet or hands first narrows GK’s body position, thus making goal appear bigger to attacker
Have GK begin by sliding to stationary ball then proceed to ball served from various distances and angles

39. Sliding Save Technique

40. Technique for Throws
Underhand Roll (Utilized for shorter distance targets)
Position body squared towards target
Cup ball in hand between forearm and hand
Ensure GK steps with opposite foot and follows through with underhand release of ball ensuring ball arrives to target in rolling manner
Goalkeeper should immediately follow roll and provide support

41. Technique for Throws (Cont.)
Overhand Throw (Utilized for longer distance targets)
Position body squared towards target
Cup ball in hand between forearm and hand
Ensure GK steps with opposite foot and points to target with opposite hand
GK then follows through with windmill rotation of throwing arm and release of ball ensuring ball arrives to target in rolling manner

42. Technique for Goal Kick
Approach the ball from approximately 30 degree angle
Plant foot points to target and placed beside and slightly behind ball (this allows kicking foot to slide under ball and generate height and backspin)
Sole and toe of kicking foot remain low through impact and kicking foot as well as hips finish while pointing to target
GK should follow through and step forward after kick

43. Technique for Punt
GK should hold ball about elbow height with both hands
GK steps forward and drops ball in front of the kicking foot with 1 hand about waist height (Ensure GK does not toss ball up in air prior to contact)
Toe of the kicking foot should be pointing down or forwards (but never up) upon impact
Make contact underneath middle of ball to generate height and backspin and kicking foot as well as hips finish while pointing to target
GK should follow through and step forward after kick

44. GK Soccer Tennis for Punts and Goal Kicks

45. Reaction Saves

46. Game Realistic Training for GK’s