Goalkeeping Question

[JW Lester]

It seems that when I'm keeping goal, too many shots that I get a paddle on end up being deflected into the goal instead of being blocked out.

Anyone out there have any suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong and how I can keep the *(^%&^& ball out?

:silly:

Thanx
John

[TheMasterG]

Ensure that the blocking blade is facing directly out of the goal or square to the ball so
your attempted saves aren't deflected into the sides of the goal. Make sure you are braced and ready to receive any powerful shots full on. You don't want
a strong shot to push the blade back and have the ball go into the net. Have a good grip on the bottom blade so that it doesn't slip when you stop powerful shots or no. 2 above will occur. You don't want the angle of your paddles to be less than 85deg for keeping(well I didn't)
cos when you hold the bottom blade keeper-style the top blade will not be facing directly out of the goal(see no. 1) Long paddles help! (pain to paddle with though) Different paddles hold the ball differently eg. blades with a bent tip hold the ball much better.
That's all I can think of for now, hope it helps!
Oh yeh, and welcome to the forums :wavey:

[michielv]

Hi,

Last year I started goal keeping and I quickly learned that facing the ball with the hollow side of the blade makes the ball roll off away from the goal. The other way round makes the ball roll off the blade and in the goal..

Although this increases the impact on your blades so they might last a little shorter it keeps the ball out. Especially if you're not catching the ball but have to tip it out of the goal.

HTH,

Michiel

[TheMasterG]

Originally posted by michielv
...make sure the hollow part of the blade faces the ball
Haha, well I kinda thought that was obvious but maybe not, good point :p
Also, make sure you're sitting directly under the goal as it is very easy to drift forward(or backward) maybe 1/2 a metre and then it is very possible to be lobbed.
And one of the most important things : watch the ball 100% of the time!

[clyde]

First of I will just say I am crap in goal !!!

So you can take this advice any way you like.

Two things to note here about goal keeping - my own poor experiance...

If I try to control the block (I'm quite good at this generally) to make a quick counter attack I usually let a goal in. If I concentrate only on keeping the ball out on this shot (including the fact that the deflection could land anywhere) I am much better at keeping the ball out fo the goal (in that instance).

Basically it's the controlled blocking I am particularly weak at, where as out on pitch either chasing or defending I am much better at making controlled blocks. I think this is a limitation of strength/flexibility in the shoulders while blocking so high - for me that is.

As a technique, many "Goal Keepers" (I mean those who consider themselves as GK'ers, spank the ball as a part of their blocking action. This deals quite well with the hard shots, but they then let in a soft one and their timing has to be spot on. This method of keeping is weak against dummy shots.

make of that what you will.


http://www.ion.ucl.ac.uk/~clyde/clyde.jpg Clyde

[tcrees]

I must admit I have the same problem and it's very frustrating! :silly:

I noticed that it was a lot worse with a paddle with a more flexible shaft - I used to use a (Lendl?) carbon/kevlar shaft and now I use a Galasport full carbon shaft which is much stiffer. I notice that now the ball tends to richochet away from goal more rather than flop in.

Ironically, hard shots aren't that much of a problem - assuming you manage to get a piece of the ball with your paddle, they usually deflect away. It's the soft, lobby shots that even if you get the blade square on the ball can still dribble in.

Some things you can do:
1. If it's a soft shot towards the top, think about tipping the ball over the net with the top of your blade, rather than trying to "catch" it.

2. Watch the ball right onto your paddle and then push outwards and get it to drop to your hand (only works for softer shots).

The other points people have already made are equally important (blade angle, grip, reach etc.)

Cheers, Tristan.

[JW Lester]

I think what I am experiencing sounds EXACTLY like what you said Tristan.

Hard shots are no problem most of the time if I get a paddle on the ball - its the lob shots and weak shots that I block and then they dribble in.

Thanks for the advice to everyone who responded - very helpful.

I do have a few follow up questions :confused: -

I have always used a 60 degree angle paddle (just like my WW paddle). I've tried to go back to a 90 degree paddle, but I manage to tackle myself on a regular basis with that angle :eek: Is it possible to compensate for the offset angle (which is what I've been attempting), or is it a hopeless case.

Secondly - is the best place to sit directly under the goal frame or perhaps 10 - 15 cm out? Obviously sitting further out increases the chance of being lobbed, but that 10 cm could keep the ball out once you do "block" it.

Thanks again everyone!!!

[SongPeng]

for my goalkeeping experience
1) u need to keep ur eye on ball at all time.
2) then watch for the other attacker position.
3) tell ur mate to put presure on attacker who trying to get into position.
4) put ur padddle up when attacker pass the middle line.
5) use ur hand to keep ur position (e.g. making circle in the water.. )

have a nice day.:D

[michielv]

As a follow up to Song Penn's remarks:

General rule: make sure you instruct your defence in such a way that you're not needed :-)

What helps me a lot is to keep a general overview on the game and instruct my defenders where to put pressure and block attackers. If you do that right you don't need to block that many balls/shots and you can actually concentrate on a counter.

And if you do have to leave the goal, make sure someone knows and takes over your place!

Cheers,

Michiel

[vish]

Steve Helmsley's goalkeeping tips (http://www.canoe.org.au/polo/cha5.html)

This page has heaps of tips. It's from his coaching book, which I have rediscovered thanks to this forum....

[JW Lester]

Wow - GREAT. Just the link I need!:thumbup: