Goalkeeping Edition 192

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter.  Today’s subject deals with using the correct knee on high balls for protections.

First, because of a number of emails I have received recently asking for help with getting quality soccer equipment at a good price, FineSoccer.com will now offer to sell all Kwik Goal equipment at a 25% discount from Kwik Goals suggested retail price. To learn more please go to http://finesoccer.com/kwik_goal.htm.

Many keepers seem to understand the importance of raising the knee on high balls (it’s used for three reasons, first to help you get higher by “throwing” your knee up to get your body going in that direction from the start, second to deter an opponent from hitting you and third, in case an opponent does hit you, they hit you’re your knee/thigh which you are prepared for as opposed to other parts of your body).  However too many don’t seem to understand which leg to use in a given situation.

This is a general rule of thumb but start by drawing an imaginary line down the center of the field (from the center of one goal to the center of the other goal).  If the keeper is standing in the center of her goal, for any high ball that comes from the right side of the line, you should use your left knee for protection and any ball coming from your left side you should use your right knee for protection.  The reason for this is the keeper will most likely get hit from a player coming from the middle of the field so; she should use her knee closest to the center of the field for protection.  If she uses the other knee and gets hit, the player coming from the center of the field will most likely hit her body and then her leg as opposed to when she uses her proper knee the knee will be the part of the body hit most.

If you are having a difficult time understanding which knee to use from which side, please see the diagram below

While using the correct knee might seem like a minor thing, it very easily could be the difference between holding onto the ball and dropping the ball as well as staying healthy or being injured.  In other words, this “minor thing” is actually very important.

Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum at http://finesoccer.net.

To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters, please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm

Have a great day!

Lawrence

PS Here is a comment written about SoccerAtEase (for more on SoccerAtEase please go to http://finesoccer.com/socceratease.htm) “I just wanted to let you know that I purchased your book for my entire U13 boys team after reading it myself. We had our team meeting last week and reviewed the book. It was amazing how well they comprehended and retained the information. I think this is a credit to the format in which you wrote the book. Hopefully it will help them continue to improve both individually and as a team. Thanks for all your contributions to myself and other coaches! Best regards, Tim McDonald”