The 2012 junior GK development program is now over for another year. What a great turnout and fantastic initiative by Hockey Victoria. 46 kids turned up for week two of the program eagerly anticipating the new skills they would be learning. This session was an exciting session covering one on ones, penalty corners, diving and sliding. All the skills that kids love doing but don’t often execute correctly.
One vs. Ones
A one on one can refer to a contest in a game situation where you meet a player and dont have any defenders around. Or it can be the penalty shoot out type situation.
One on Ones have now taken over from strokes as a way to decide a drawn game. It has been played internationally now for some time but will soon be introduced at all levels. Each team must nominate 5 players and one goalkeeper to be involved. The field player starts at the 25 yard line and the goal keeper behind the goal. Normal rules apply with the field player having eight seconds to score a goal. The play is over when a goal is scored or the eight seconds is up. An infringement may result in the penalty being replayed. It is best of five with sudden death if scores are level after all players have had their turn.
Teaching points
• Aim to slow the player down as much as possible, to give players more time to get back and provide support.(Applicable only in game situation)
• Force the player to change direction and get their head down over the ball, this prevents them from seeing other passing options
• GK should try to stay on their feet and channel the player wide
Practice a couple with a slide or a dive as a last resort.
For more information about one on ones please check out my post here
Penalty corners
Standing up for the shot
Teaching points
• Come out 1-3 steps (depending on the height of the GK)
• Centered position in the net
• Feet shoulder width apart
• The GK must try and control the save, if possible clear it at the same time
Lying down
Teaching points
• Come out 1-3 steps (depending on the height of the GK)
• When it is confirmed that a hit is going to be made
• Drop onto the right hand, and slide the right leg out and drop to the saving position. Left leg is on top of the right
• Stick past the line of the post
• Keep the left hand off the ground to use for upper body saves
Defending the drag flick
Teaching points
• Come out 1-3 steps (depending on the height of the GK)
• Balanced feet position shoulder width apart
• Hands up
• Right side save – use blocker/stick
• Left side save – use glove
For more information on Penalty corner defence please check out my post here
Sliding – Double leg slide
During the clinic it was difficult to practice this skill as we were on a dry pitch. Waterbased fields are more effective when learning the skill.
Drills:
• Stage 1 – slide no object
• Stage 2 – slide a cone
• Stage 3 – slide a stationary ball
• Stage 4 – slide a rolling ball
Teaching points
• Don’t hesitate when going for the ball
• The more speed going forward the better
• Sprint at the ball then drop (order touch the ground – right leg, hip, right glove)
• Left leg on top of right leg
• Stick wide to pick up a wide drag
• Don’t start the slide if the ball is more than 2 meters away (the ball can be easily chipped or flicked over the top of the keeper)
• Only go down if you know you will get the ball and the forwards has not got control of it, or has no forward vision (head over the ball)
Diving
• Set the goalkeeper up next to the post, get them to dive for the other side of the goal with the target of getting past the opposite post
• When the GK gets the feel for diving under no pressure incorporate a save into the drill.
Below is a video of some diving practice we did. This group of boys were fantastic. Not every ball was saved but the attempt and execution of the skill is whats important.
Gk reaction work video
OBO kindly sponsored week two of the clinic and provided each of the kids with a T shirt
Ash Wells and myself after the clinic. It was wonderful working with a group of very talented Victoria keeper coaches.
There are so many things a gk can do on there own to help learn these skills. Most can be practiced without a ball or a field player to help.
A BIG THANK YOU TO HOCKEY VICTORIA FOR ORGANISING THE CLINIC AND TO ALL THE COACHES AND AMAZING KIDS WHO ATTENDED.
Thanks for this … some nicely organized stuff for me to use with a new group of 2011. Keep them all active, while I can evaluate where they are all at!!