Performance Goalkeeping Newsletter
January 2009, Issue 7: Basic Handling, written by Paul Rogers

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In this issue I will discuss basic handling, I believe this is an area that is overlooked by many people working with goalkeepers. We have all heard or been part of the conversations about the goalkeeping coach vs goalkeeping trainer, and it is with the latter that I think handling is overlooked. Obviously all aspects of goalkeeping--techniques, tactics and the physiological side of the game--are important and shouldn’t be overlooked, however a goalkeepers handling is their bread and butter. Whether it is a youth keeper learning their trade or a seasoned professional, time needs to be spent not only training the different types of handling but also teaching and correcting weaknesses within the technique. As a GK coach it is our job to make these techniques habitual for the GK. This should be done through individual work in addition to sessions with the team to get the transfer of tactics and the understanding of the full picture.
There are multiple types of handling, the W or Contour Catch for shots at chest height or above, the cup or basket catch for shots below chest height, scooping the ball for shots along the floor, handling when diving/smothering which can be a mix of the previous three and the use of the ground, and last high balls and crosses which are an entirely different topic. When I refer to Basic Handling I am talking about shots that come down the middle third of the goal and should be kept hold of. In the modern game what SHOULD be held is decreasing especially at the higher end of the game. Because of player’s ability to move the ball, the amount of pace of ball, along with the liveliness of the modern balls, the amount of balls which may be effectively caught has decreased. We will cover blocking, reactions, and moving the ball into safe areas of the field in another issue.

You will see at the bottom I have some drills that will help cover the different types of techniques. I have also listed some points to be looking for in correcting technique. To start with is the set/ready position which is the same for most of the basic handling, except for how high or low you set.

Set/Ready position

• Feet shoulder width apart and parallel.
• Weight on the balls of your feet, maybe slightly to the inside of the foot, NOT on your toes as this puts you off balance and does not allow for maximal power and speed of movement to be generated.
• Knees bent to an angle that allows you to move in all directions between 100 and 160 degrees (with a straight leg being 180 degrees).
• Upper body weight forward, bending at the waist (Head should be over the feet).
• Elbows at natural width and in front of your body.
• Hands relaxed (parallel with each other, and palms facing each other) at waist height and level with your knees and feet.
• Head should be forward and still with eyes locked on the ball.

Handling

• Move into line with the ball, the head should be consistently behind the ball, or moving to get there.
• As the shot comes in and the GK is behind the ball they can widen there feet outside shoulder width for better balance.

W or Contour catch

• As the shot comes extend your elbows so your hands are now in front of your feet (still parallel).
• Make sure the GK’s fingers are spread and the thumbs are locked behind the ball
• As the GK receives the ball use the elbows to take the pace off it.
• Eyes locked on the ball until it is under total control.

Cup or Basket catch

• As the shot comes extend your elbows so your hands are now in front of your feet (still parallel).
• The little fingers and elbows should be close together while bringing your shoulders forward to form a cup for the ball.
• As the GK receives the ball make sure their hands wrap around the back of the ball.
• As the ball connects with inner arms and hands the head should follow the ball and wrap around the top of the ball.

Scoop/Smother

• As the shot comes in the outside foot should step to the side of the ball allowing the GK to bend the same knee
• Both hands should be extended towards the ground and ball in the space between their legs.
• This should form a ramp for the ball to come into the body.
• If the pace of the shot is too much the GK can take the upper body to the ball and allow them selves to smother the ball on the ground, effectively blocking/stopping the ball to subsequently smother the ball with the upper body.

With all the technical aspects covered above the distance of the shot, the type of shot, and how much traffic is in front of them, will change how high or low the GK sets. These are just the main points a goalkeeping coach should make sure are correct. When working on basic handling the GK coach needs to bring positioning into the drills, it is good to work on handling with footwork and drills outside of the goal, however the last couple of drills should be done in the goal to work on positioning. Then once the GK is in with the team the GK coach can continue the technical corrections while also working on the tactical aspects.

	-GK starts with a ball in their hands in the correct catching position (W catch). -Server volleys to GK hands from about 6-8yards away. -On the servers strike the GK drops the ball they have hold of and catch the servers ball. -This is a good drill to work on the correct shape of the GK's hands and set position. It also teaches the GK to keep both hands working together and parallel. -You can also start this drill from the GK's knees, as long as the GK drops to their knees from a set position to keep the standing set shape (knees correct distance apart, bend at the waist, not sitting on their heals).
	-GK starts behind a hurdle, rolls the ball under/to the side of the hurdle to the server. -Server hits the ball first time either at face, waist, or to feet. -This is a good drill to work on the feet landing/ending parallel to each other. Still focusing on all the other technical aspects. -The use of a pole or cones will also work. -Limit the amount of reps if the GK is jumping over a hurdle.
	-Set up a triangle using cones, make sure they are the correct angle and distance apart so when the GK steps out of them they are in the correct position for a shot from that server. -GK steps out of the triangle, sets and receives the serve. -GK works back into the triangle and out to the opposite server. -Servers can volley, half volley, or strike from the ground. -Start with slower movement for the GK and then build up the pace still focusing on technique. -Six reps and four or five sets is good. -This is a good drill to start covering positioning and still focuses on technique.
	-GK starts with a ball at one of the posts or of center in the goal. -GK tosses the ball to the server who catches and volleys towards the middle of the goal. -As the GK tosses the ball they move into line with the server and the middle of the goal and catch the serve. -A good drill to work on getting into line with the ball and being in the correct set shape when it is served.
	-Set up a small triangle (3yard-3yard) about 2 yards off of the line. -GK starts outside of the triangle. -On the servers movement the GK steps into the triangle, sets, and steps through the side of the triangle to make the save. -Server hits the ball along the ground to work on the GK scoop, or at more pace for a smothering save. -This is a great drill to progress to a tight dive. -To start with let the GK know which way the ball is going so you can really cover all aspects technically before going live.

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