Eleftheria Pancyprian SC
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‹ Coaching Points

Goalkeeping

Set position, footwork, handling, diving, positioning and voice.

Top 3

  1. 1.Set and balanced before every shot
  2. 2.Get your body behind the ball with early footwork
  3. 3.Communicate early, clearly and with confidence

Set position

  • Balanced, weight even on both feet
  • Heels light, shoulders forward, elbows in front of the body
  • Hands relaxed in front of the body
  • Toes, hips and shoulders square to the ball

Footwork

  • Short quick shuffle steps when the ball is close and a shot is coming
  • Longer sprinting steps to cover space when the ball is out of the shooter's control
  • Match the shooter's rhythm so you are set in time

Handling

  • Shape the hands to the ball
  • Keep the ball in front of your body line where you can see it, eyes fixed on it
  • Early footwork to get as much body behind the ball as possible
  • Low ball: hands under the ball, little fingers together, forearms parallel
  • Chest height: hands slightly over the ball, thumbs behind it, look through the forearm window
  • High ball: hands slightly over the ball, drive up off the leg, catch above head height
  • Hug the ball away when a late hit is likely

Diving

  • Hands in front of the body, small lateral step or shift to the side of the shot
  • Collapse or extend the knee depending on the distance to cover
  • Contour catch to hold it; flatten the hands to parry it wide
  • Land on your side — not stomach or back — and get the elbow out of the way
  • The ball breaks the fall: hands to ground first, not knee, hip or elbow
  • Top leg keeps the hips square and gives momentum to get back up
  • Bottom hand parries at shoulder height or lower, top hand above shoulder height

Positioning for shot stopping

  • Position between the centre of the goal and the ball
  • Ball in shooting range but well outside the box: cover the space over your head
  • Ball in or around the box: be more aggressive, come out and cut the angle
  • Adjust for the shooter's strength and accuracy and for your own ability to cover space

Communication

  • "Keeper!" — you are leaving the goal to take the ball
  • "Away!" — you are staying; defenders win or clear it
  • Be early, specific and confident
  • Give an action a name when you direct teammates
Say it on the pitch
Keeper!Away!Set

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