Coming off the Goal Line

Coming off the Goal Line

Coaching with Richard Alagich

Coming off the goal line to reduce the angle

In almost every game an attacking player will break clear and find himself in a position with only the goalkeeper to beat. In this situation it is left to the skill of the goalkeeper to come quickly off the goal line and reduce the shooting angle. If the goalkeeper stays on his or her line then the attacking player will have a greater angle and less pressure to shoot.

The positioning and movement of the goalkeeper incoming off the goal line to reduce the angle will vary if the ball is wide on the flanks or middle of the pitch. If the ball is wide on the flanks the goalkeeper should position himself or herself in the back half of the goal. This is the best position if there is a cross from the flank. If the attacking player breaks clear from wide then the goalkeeper must move into the front half of the goal and get ready to come off the goal line. If the ball is in middle of the pitch the goalkeeper should be positioned in the middle of the goal ready to move out. From this starting position the goalkeeper is ready to move out and reduce the angle of the shot. First the goalkeeper waits until the ball rolls out of playing distance before moving out of goals. It is important that the goalkeeper, now in the basic position, waits for the attacking player to make the first move. Goalkeeper not reducing the angle It is a mistake for goalkeepers to anticipate anymovement of the attacker. If the attacking player moves to shoot or dribble the goalkeeper immediately goes to ground.

This technique involves spreading the body in across the angle between the ball the goal on the backswing of the intended shot or dribble. The back swing allows the goalkeeper time to get to the ground. It is vital that the goalkeeper drops quickly. If the attacking player decides to dribble around the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper must try and gain possession or force the player wide to narrow the angle for a shot.

Common faults-corrections Goalkeeper reducing the angle

1. The goalkeeper does not run out quickly towards the ball.
2. The goalkeeper is not standing up in a balanced basic position before the shot or dribble.
3. The body is not spread across the angle between the ball and goal.
4. The goalkeeper goes in feet first to reduce the angle.
5. The goalkeeper is slow and late going down.
6. The eyes are not fixed on the ball.