Goalkeeper Tips for Crosses and Shot Stopping

Shot Stopping

Shot stopping is the core skill a goalkeeper must possess. The first aspect of being a successful shot stopper is positioning. A goalkeeper should imagine a triangle with the position of the ball as the point. The triangle should run from the ball to the 2 goal posts, with the goalkeeper in the middle of that triangle. A goalkeeper who remains central when the ball is outside the left hand goal post, runs the risk of being easily beaten at her near post.

A goalkeeper should focus on the ball when it comes into shooting range, all defensive adjustments must be done earlier. The goalkeeper should watch the body language of the player in possession of the ball. Players who shoot on goal will take a preparation touch out of their feet and step into a shot. Defensive pressure will also play a part in whether or not a shot is coming. You should note which foot attacking players use, you may realize a forward is one footed with his right, and thus you know which foot he will be using to shoot. This can give you a further visual cue to set early for a shot.

The goalkeeper should be on his toes and set his feet to dive as the ball is hit. If a dive is required the goalkeeper should take a step towards where the ball is heading, then use that foot to propel the body to the ball landing on the hip and side. Goalkeepers should always aim to catch and hold balls, but if a parry is the only possible save the ball must be deflected wide and way from the goal. Goalkeepers should immediately get back up after a save that is deflected, preparing themselves to get the ball or save a rebound shot.

Crossed Balls

A goalkeeper who is capable of dealing with crossed balls is invaluable to a team, and takes pressure off his defenders when attacks come from wide areas. When the ball is out wide the goalkeeper should position himself slightly off his line central to the goal. A goalkeeper must not let a crossed ball go over his head, but staying too far back could lead to a shot creeping into the near post. If a goalkeeper comes too far off his line anticipating a cross, he could be beaten with a shot over his head. When a cross is hit a goalkeeper must immediately communicate his intentions to his defenders. A goalkeeper should use “keepers” or “away” to let defenders know if he is coming to get it, or staying on his line to save and they must clear. Any word is fine, as long as the defenders are clear on it, and the goalkeeper uses the same language in a game as she does in practice. Goalkeepers should catch a cross whenever possible, if a goalkeeper is unsure if the ball can be caught, she should punch the ball away. Punches should be aimed wide and outside the penalty area.

Breakaways

One on one breakaways are a situation in which a goalkeeper must seize the initiative. A goalkeeper who stands hesitantly on his goal line hands the initiative to the forward and allows her to pick a spot and shoot on goal under little pressure. When an attacker breaks clear and the defenders are beaten, the goalkeeper should advance quickly off the goal line to put the forward under pressure, and also narrow the angles for a forward to shoot on goal. If a forward looks up to see a goalkeeper rushing at them full speed and staying big it will lead to rushed shots and less confidence in them making a shot on goal. Goalkeepers should stay big while advancing and use the following cues during a breakaway;

• Body language for shot – touch out of feet, back lift.
• Loose ball – dive on any heavy touch.
• Distance – dive on any ball aggressively that comes into range.
• Stay big – do not go down too early.