Goalkeeping Tips, Tidbits and Random Thoughts

Shootout

Chalk one up for the keepers. In last Sunday's NCAA Men's College Cup soccer final, it went down to a shootout. The goalkeepers from UC Santa Barara and Indiana each stopped two penalty kicks—a 40% save rate. Three of the saves were to the keeper's right; one to Indiana keeper Jay Nolly's left. The deciding kick? A "Baggio" over the bar.

Also, a good article on the trials and tribulations of being a Premier League goalkeeper in England, at Soccernet.com.

Labels: Matchday observations

The women's game lags

I watched Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy play their final international game tonight, a friendly against Mexico. While the women's game has benefited immensely from their impact, goalkeeping is one area where the women's game still lags.

Much of this is due to simple physiology. Women, on average, aren't as tall and can't jump as high as men. When they have to cover the same 8-yard wide by 8-foot tall goal, that's bound to have an effect. However, I think that sometimes the training isn't what it should be as well.

At one point, the Mexico keeper (normally the backup) came out for a through ball. It looked like it should be a routine, if close, save to take the ball off the foot of the onrushing Mia Hamm. But instead of going for the ball hands first, body behind the ball, the keeper inexplicably turned her back to the field and put her body in between the ball and Hamm. The result? A sore knee for Hamm, due to hitting the keeper in the back of the head with it! Nobody seriously injured, but it could have been disastrous for both players.

Don't forget that a large part of goalkeeping technique involves keeping the goalkeeper safe, not just keeping the ball out of the net.

Update 12/11/04: I found a picture of the event here. The goal would be off to the right of the picture. Ouch!

Labels: Matchday observations