| In an article I post soon, I write about how playing the | | | | and hit the ground with both feet at the same time the |
| goalie outside the penalty box will dramatically reduce | | | | kicker strikes the ball. Besides achieving forward |
| the number scoring opportunities your opponents will | | | | momentum, the goalie is now in a better body position |
| have during a game. Fewer opportunities will reduce | | | | to move to her right or left to save the kick. |
| the number of goals that are scored. These additional | | | | Oftentimes, a goalie is caught flat footed when a shot |
| tricks will help out as well. | | | | is taken, making it very difficult to move in either |
| - On free kicks, a goalie should position herself on the | | | | direction. In baseball, you often see infielders and |
| goal line or better yet, one foot inside the goal line. In | | | | outfielders do the same thing. In addition, the hop step |
| youth games, goals are often scored on free kicks by | | | | will cut down the angle of the goal. Hockey goalies do |
| kicking the ball over the goalie's head. By standing on | | | | a great job of being prepared for a shot and cutting |
| or inside the goal, chances of this occurring are | | | | down angles. |
| reduced. In addition, it is much easier for a goalkeeper | | | | Offensive Counter |
| to run forward to meet a ball than running backwards. | | | | Once again, playing against a good goalie can make |
| - Shooters have a tendency to kick the ball right in the | | | | for a long and frustrating day. There a several ways |
| middle of the goal. Therefore, if the goalie is positioned | | | | to counter these types of goalie tricks. |
| correctly, chances are that a number of the shots will | | | | - If the goalie is short and the goals are tall, even if the |
| be easily saved. There are several methods to teach | | | | goalie is standing on the line or in the goal, it is still worth |
| good positions that will be covered in future postings. | | | | shooting the ball high. Be aware that by playing on the |
| The simplest method is to have your goalkeeper | | | | line, the goalie has probably created more space |
| constantly check her position by looking over her | | | | between her and the defenders. In this case, a good |
| shoulders to make sure she is centered between the | | | | strategy may be to drop over the wall but in front of |
| two goal posts. | | | | the goalkeeper to an on-rushing attacker. |
| - The next trick may be difficult to grasp and teach but | | | | - If the goalie has excellent positioning and is cutting the |
| once it is learned, it will become second nature. First of | | | | down the angles beautifully, the best thing to do is |
| all, a goalie needs to learn to anticipate a shot on goal. | | | | make one extra pass to a wide-open teammate. This |
| Once the kicker's head goes down to look at the ball, | | | | extra pass will require a lot of discipline on the kicker's |
| the shot is not far behind. Then just before the ball is | | | | part but will almost certainly result in a goal. |
| struck, the goalie should take one hop-step forward | | | | |