Vince Nicoll Goalkeeping Schools

The “Set Position” 
The feet should be approximately shoulder width apart.
The weight should be on the front half of the feet ensuring a balanced position.
The body weight needs to be slightly forward.
The knees need to be slightly flexed with the hips square to the ball.
Keep the head still and keep “the nose in front of the toes”.
The elbows need to be narrow with the chest facing the ball.
The hands need to be in front of the bodyline and approximately ball width apart. “Prepare the hands early”.

These are general guidelines. Questions will be posed as to what is considered to be the correct position. Goalkeeper will naturally hold the hands in a position that he/she feels comfortable. The positions will vary e.g. palms down- thumbs up – tucked in to the waist- fingers down etc.

General statement: “If the goalkeeper’s handling is good and consistent and the keeper feels comfortable then it should not be a problem. On the other hand if the keeper’s handling techniques are inconsistent then the hand position may need changing.”

“Set position” will obviously alter slightly due to the physiological make up of the keeper. The taller goalkeepers’ feet will probably be slightly wider apart, but generally the principles remain the same.

The “Scoop&ldquo technique

• The goalkeepers’ starting position in relation to the ball.
• Movement into the line of the ball.
• The set position as the ball is struck.
• The assessment as to which technique will be most appropriate.

The “Scoop” technique:

• Collapse at the knees to the “K” position.
• Open the palms up to face the ball with the fingers spread.
• Lead with the hands, which brings the bodyweight forward.
• Keep the head still and the eyes focused on the ball.
• Bring the shoulders forward over the hands.
• The elbows need to be slightly flexed to cushion the impact of the ball.
• “Soft hands – strong wrists”.
• As the palms make contact with the ball, scoop the ball into the chest whilst bringing the bodyweight forward and “complete the save”.
• “Recovery saves” to gather the ball if the ball comes off the goalkeeper.
• “Recover lines” to defend the goal if that is the better option.

The “Cup” technique

• The goalkeepers’ starting position in relation to the ball.
• Movement into the line of the ball.
• The “set position” as the ball is being struck.
• The assessment as to which technique will be most appropriate.

The “Cup” technique:

• Once the ball has been struck avoid as little body movement as possible.
• Whilst in a balanced “Set Position”, the footwork may need to be adjusted slightly laterally as the ball travels towards the goalkeeper.
• Keeping the chest square to the ball the hands need to be brought forward in front of the bodyline.
• “Prepare the hands early”.
• The elbows need to be tucked in with the palms facing up and the fingers spread.
• “Soft hands – strong wrists”
• The feet now need to be planted solidly in preparation for the catch.
• On impact the ball is taken into midriff with the palms securing the ball.

Common Problems: The goalkeeper jumping up as the catch is made or the goalkeepers’ bodyweight going backwards therefore he/she is unbalanced as the catch is made.

The “W” technique

• The goalkeepers’ starting position in relation to the ball.
• The movement into the line of the ball.
• The “Set Position” as the ball is struck.
• The assessment as to which technique will be the most appropriate.

The “W” technique:

• The hands from being in front of the line of the body need to be brought into the line of the trajectory of the ball with the chest square.
• The hands are prepared with the palms facing the ball with the fingers spread and the thumbs forming the “W” shape.
• The elbows need to be slightly flexed to as “shock absorbers” when the contact of the hands is made with the ball.
• The contact with the ball needs to be made approximately “15-18 inches” in front of the body.
• “Soft hands – strong wrists”.
• “Keep the eyes on the back of the ball”.

Common Problems:

• The goalkeepers’ head is not still and the head retracts as the catch is made, thus making the goalkeeper unbalanced.
• The goalkeepers’ elbows are not flexed enough, which “flattens” the hand shape, which often leads to the ball catching the end of the goalkeepers’ fingers.

The “Collapsing Save”

• The goalkeepers’ starting position in relation to the ball.
• The goalkeepers’ movement into the line of the ball.
• The Set Position as the ball is struck.
• The assessment as to which technique will be the most appropriate.

The collapsing save 
This technique is used when the ball is played down the side of the body but close to the feet. If the goalkeeper does not have the time to move into line and use the “Scoop” technique, then this is the most appropriate way to deal with this ball.

• The goalkeeper needs to collapse at the knees at the same time as ensuring that the nearest or leading hand goes behind the line of the ball.
• The right hand would follow the left hand ensuring that the bodyweight comes securing it on top – “Soft hands – strong wrists”.
• The bodyweight now follows naturally in behind the ball to make a second barrier.
• In the ideal situation the contact with the ball would be made in front of the body with the elbows slightly flexed and tucked in.
• The head is then placed in behind the ball with the eyes focused to ensure the ball is secured.
• In the event of the ball coming off the goalkeeper is there a “recovery save” or the goalkeeper making a “recovery line” to defend the goal.

The “Low Diving Save”

• The goalkeepers’ starting position in relation to the ball.
• The movement into line of the ball.
• The set position as the ball is struck.
• The assessment as to which technique will be most appropriate.

The Low Diving Save 
Once it is determined that the ball is struck wide of the goalkeeper the decision needs to be made as to whether the goalkeeper has the opportunity to move his/her feet to get into line of the ball. If this is not possible then this technique needs to be implemented.

• The goalkeeper needs to “step” towards the line of the ball with the nearest foot.
• By making the initial step it brings the bodyweight slightly forward in preparation to make the save.
• With the leg slightly flexed and the bodyweight transferred onto it, the goalkeeper will now have the power to dive to his / her side whilst bringing the bodyweight forward.
• As the weight is transferred to the leg, the hands and bodyweight follow.
• The hands should be approximately ball width apart (“Handcuffs”) with the fingers spread in the W formation.
• If the ball arrives along the ground, the leading hand, in this case the left hand, needs to go behind the ball with the right hand securing it on top.
• The elbow needs to be tucked in to ensure that the ball is secured safely and to avoid injury.
• All impact is taken on the side of the body and the shoulders.
• The head then follows in behind the hands.
• Deflecting to safe areas – Strong wrists / Big palm.
• Recovery saves to gather the loose ball / Recovery lines to defend the goal.

The “High Diving save” 
Same as previous practise:

• Hand position is the “W” technique.
• Elbows are now flexed.
• The eyes are focused on the ball between the flexed elbows.
• Securing the ball on impact as the body hits the floor.
• The technique of “Deflecting” to safe areas – “Strong wrists – Big palm”.
• The techniques of “Parrying” to safe areas.
• Recovery saves to gather the ball.
• Recovery lines to defend the goal.

One v One : Diving at Feet 

• Goalkeepers starting position in relation to the ball.
  Priority 1 is to defend the goal.
  Priority 2 is to defend the space between the goalkeeper and the defenders.
• Is there pressure on the ball?
• The goalkeepers’ stance in anticipation of the through ball – being on the front foot.
• Assessments of the through ball – advance or defend the goal?
• If the decision is to advance – be positive – safety first – clear the lines.

If staying to defend the goal.

• Put onus on the attacker.
• Make forward movements only when the ball is out of the attackers’ feet.
• “Delay and Stay big”.
• Force the attacker wide if possible.
• Communication – role of recovering defender.

The techniques of “Smothering” or “Diving at feet”.

• Lead with the hands taking the bodyweight forward.
• Tuck the head in behind the hands.
• A big barrier – “Physical Courage”.

Dealing With Crosses

• Starting position in relation to the ball and goal.
• Priority 1 – defend the goal.
• Priority 2 – defend the space between the goalkeeper and the defenders.
• Stance and body language of the goalkeeper needs to be “Positive”.
• Assessment of the flight of the ball.
• Decision of whether to come for the ball or let the defenders deal with it.
• Communication of the goalkeepers decision – “Loud, clear, calm and concise”.
  • Goalkeeper recovers to defend the goal.
  • Communication to defenders – pushing out/marking positions.
    • Angle and speed of the goalkeepers’ approach – quickest and shortest route.
    • Timing and angle of the goalkeepers take off – take off inside leg if possible.
    • Technique of catching at the highest and safest point – “elbows slightly flexed and see the ball into the hands”.
    • If the goalkeeper needs to punch the ball – “height, distance and width”.
    • Two fisted or one fisted – “through the bottom and the middle of the ball”.
    • Recovery lines to defend the goal – appropriate footwork.
    • The roles of the defenders: “Communication, protection and covering the goal”.

Distribution: Throwing. 
Standardisation of Terminology: 

Roll:

• Used over short distances.
• Lower the body, and with the arm extended roll the ball underarm at a low trajectory.
• It ensures that the ball arrives quickly and accurately and easier to control for he receiver.

Javelin:

• Used over medium distances and very effective at getting to the receiver quickly.
• Wide base ensures that the throw arrives with good pace.
• Good upper body strength is needed to use this technique effectively.
• The ball is thrown from the chest with the elbow flexed and then extended quickly.

Side-arm:

• Often used when throwing into the wide areas over longer distances.
• A wide stance with the ball travelling at a lower trajectory than the javelin throw.
• Often used to throw to the space in front of players.

Over-arm:

• Used to by- pass players i.e. to throw over midfield players and into the strikers.
• Used over longer distances to exploit spaces behind and down the side of the defenders.
• A wider stance is now needed to give you the “base” to propel the ball over long distances.
• Lead with opposite hand and with a bowling technique release the ball at the top of the follow through.