‘Takeover tackle’ is a term that you may not have heard before but one that we have been using in Australia for some time. The concept behind this tackle is replace the backstick or reverse stick tackle and offer an option where you can stay facing the player and use your momentum to ‘take’ the […]
This skill (and the term drop step) is one I learnt from Kath Partridge. In order to move from one side of the goal to the other as fast as possible we must use this technique. The side step works fine when making small movements but we use the drop step when you are standing […]
Fitness! A word you don’t often see or hear of when talking about goalkeepers. I have certainly copped a lot of slack from team-mates over the years about the lack of fitness training we do. But my response is always, you could have become a goalkeeper but you chose the position that requires you to […]
As with most sports it is important that you have a good level of strength. Injury prevention is one reason but it’s also to gives your body the best chance of moving around the goal with real power. If you are on the ground then you will need strong arms to push yourself back up. […]
Can we train our reflexes? I believe we can. As you would know I am a huge advocate for working on hand eye coordination. Reflexes are the same. You can work on them in a number of ways. Having shots fired at you from in close, getting someone to hit tennis balls using a tennis […]
A quality warm up before training and games is vital to maximise your power and flexibility. These exercises can be done over one lap of the field. Work your way around by doing 5 reps of each with some jogging to start and finish. Add in any other extra active exercises you feel you need. […]
Agility is the ability to change the direction your body is moving in and doing it fast. A skill that is really relevant for goalkeepers and something that you want to regularly work on. There are so many drills you can do to improve your agility. All you will need is a few cones and […]
Every goalkeeper has the ability to make a save. Only the best goal keepers will also clear or pass the ball whilst saving it. Being able to kick the ball well with both feet is the most important skill you will acquire as a gk. Doing so with accuracy is the next level of development. […]
Our right glove is a slightly different in shape and size to the left plus we now have the stick to consider when making a save. Again it is our hand eye coordination that will be of huge benefit here but it is still important we spend time practicing the specific technique required to make […]
I have spent and continue to spend many hours working on my glove saves. As a young goalkeeper I worked with Michelle Flouch on making strong saves with both my left and right hands. Improving your hand eye coordination will definitely assist here but putting in the time and practising repetition saves is the best […]
Bonus Video Time! Today is an inside look at how I review my games afterwards. The attached is from our pool match against Japan the other day. It will give you some insights into how I review my perfomance in a range of areas. I hope you’ll find it helpful. Reviewing game footage […]
The double leg block is a save that can be used in a variety of situations. Closing down deflections is one and block a direct shot is another. This skill can be a good replacement option for the slide as it allows you to stay on your feet and therefore stay mobile. However if you […]
A good way to start is to get your goalkeepers to practice their footwork. You need to be able to move quickly in all directions whilst staying balanced and on your feet. You (the coach) or a field player can simply run at the goalkeeper and keep changing direction from side to side. The goalkeeper […]
Strokes are an area of goalkeeping that is very difficult to coach and also train. One thing that is important to note is that strokes are currently being replaced at an international level by one on ones. They are still being used during normal play but not when a game goes to penalties after extra […]
In Australia we traditionally use our legs quite well in saves. If you watch different keepers from around the world you will see the difference in styles from diving to leg saves where you end up on your bum. For me, I think that the most efficient technique is to save anything up to backboard […]
Deflections are certainly one of the most challenging shots for a goalkeeper to save. This is where your sharp reflexes come into play but also your ability to read the game and anticipate passes/movements before they happen. The best way to save a deflection is to go close enough to the player that the ball […]
For some reason there are many goalkeepers who are reluctant to learn/try/practice the skill of laying down on short corners. Once mastered, it is one of the more simple saves, but it seems that the vulnerable position you end up in can deter keepers from dropping down into position. I am here to reassure you […]
We have been over a few of the basics but now its time for the fun stuff and this time its Diving. This is not a difficult skill to learn but does require some guts and determination to practice as if you get it wrong, it can hurt a little! The key learning points are:Start […]
The Aussie block is a technique inspired by ice hockey and is a way to achieve a similar result to a slide whilst staying very mobile. It is a great skill that I regularly use both in general field play and also one v ones. The key points to remember when practising the Aussie block: […]
Having recently returned from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and now enjoying a much needed break it is with much pride that I have been able to wear and show off my shiny silver medal. It has been wonderful to come home and share my experience with friends, family, the Victorian hockey community and also […]
Toe kicking is a skill not as commonly used yet still important to have in your repertoire. I don’t use my toe kick often as I feel it can lack control and is also risky as you may give away a short corner by lifting it. The keys to a good toe kick are: contact with […]
This is the skill that all the fans love. Nothing will get a crowd going more than seeing a goalkeeper come charging out full speed into a slide and sending an opposition player flying through the air. Now this needs to done safely of course, and never with the deliberate intention to harm someone. The […]
As a goalkeeper it is very important that you know the roles and responsibilities of every position in Penalty Corner Defence. It is your job to control the circle and therefore the PCD. You will be given guidance from coaches along the way but if you know each position then you can be confident in […]
The one common feature we share with our field playing friends, as goalkeepers, is our stick. All the other padding and protection is unique and specially crafted to suit our role but the stick remains the same. For the first part of my career as a goalie I used a light weight, narrow and slightly […]
Hand eye coordination is one of the first skills I will look for when coaching a goalkeeper. To me it is paramount. Our job of saving a ball involves calling on any one of our four limbs to spring into action with a split second of notice. This requires excellent hand eye coordination. I tell […]