field hockey goalkeeper: November 2012

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

skills

skill level: beginer

How to Play Goalie in Field Hockey

The goalie is arguably the most important player in the game because she has the most responsibility. In a team of 11 players, the goalie stands alone. With one save or one mistake, she can either make or break the game. So the goalie not only has to be physically trained, but also mentally prepared. That is why the goalkeeping position is the one of the most respected positions in practically every sport that has one. If you think goalie is the position for you, this guide will give you a few pointers to help get you started.

Equipment

Goalie equipment is very extensive in field hockey, but this is a good thing because you want as much protection as possible to help prevent against injuries. However, because there are so many equipment options, you might have to do a bit of research before purchasing your gear. You’ll need a helmet, mouth guard, chest protector, leg guards, kickers, and a goalie stick. So, start looking!

Be Brave

Once you are all geared up, hop in the goal and have a friend take some soft shots at you. Once you get hit a couple of times, you’ll get over the fear of having a ball shot at you. With the goalie gear, you are completely protected, so you can worry less about getting hurt and more on blocking the ball. Focus on being in the right position, then work on stopping the ball.

Angles

Angles are the most important aspect of playing in the goal. Knowing where you are in relation to the ball and the goal at all times is key to playing the position. The shooting angle is created by drawing an imaginary line from each of the goal’s post to the ball. You always want to position yourself inside of this angle. Work on developing your positioning first, and then move on to developing your other goaltending skills

Kicking

The pads that cover your feet are known as “kickers.” These pads are used to stop and kick the ball. In field hockey, you are not allowed to lay on the ball or swat at it with your hands. Instead, you must either use your stick to hit the ball or use your kickers to clear the ball out of the circle (kicking is more common). Developing a hard, accurate kick will keep the ball out of the shooting circle and make you’re a lot job easier.

Speak Up!

As a goalie, one of your main duties is to communicate with your defense. This means you will need to learn and recognize all of the defensive strategies and techniques, such as zone and man-to-man marking. Your job will be to communicate with your teammates. You’ll need to be able to tell them which players to defend, which players to mark, and to get out of your way if they’re blocking your vision!

Stretch

Stretching is sometimes overlooked, but it is an important aspect to playing goalie. Just because you are not running for the entire duration of the game, does not mean you are not exercising. When playing goalie, you need to be flexible so that you can make quick movements in front of the goal. You may have to dive, slide, stretch, and kick. So, limber up! Stretching will also help prevent against injuries. Make sure to stretch before practice and during game breaks to stay loose.

Practice

Practice really does make perfect. Developing your reflexes and quickening your reaction time will improve your game. You can practice these by having a coach or teammate hit balls at you quickly, forcing you to react immediately to incoming shots.

Stay Focused

It is easy to get discouraged when you first start playing goalie. More goals are going to go in than you will keep out. But don’t worry, it gets easier! Just keep practicing and you will improve. If you want more tips and information for playing goalie, see the links located to the right of this article for related topics and discussions. Good luck!

Saturday, 3 November 2012

field hockey goalkeeper training

TRAINING NO. 1:-

The first exercise is a usual one, a player with the ball, the keeper has to kick the ball back to the player.

TRAINING NO. 2:-

The second exercise is slightly more difficult. The trainer will place some cones to oblige the keeper to make good clearances and sharp ones. The player will have three different possibilities one in the centre and two on each side of the keeper, there the keeper will have to dive to clear and save the ball which cannot go between the cone and the post it must be cleared beyond the cones. For the rest of the cones, the ball will have to be cleared between the cones.

The player can start with the legs and then he can lift the ball, higher and higher

TRAINING NO. 3:-

The player takes 15 balls which he places all around the D. The cones are at the same place, with the same use. The player will hit the ball as quickly as possible and will try to shoot towards the keeper. Like in the precedent exercise, the player can lift the ball and as there are 15 balls he can change whenever he wants. The player can also hit softly and then much harder.

TRAINING NO. 4:-

In exercise 4, the player needs tennis balls and/or golf balls. The GK kneels down, in the middle. Balls are sent on the right and on the left. GK has to dive to clear them and back to his position, 20 balls may be used. The feeder will send the ball with the hands to place the ball more easily.

TRAINING NO. 5:-

Same exercise, however this time the keeper will stand up and clear the ball only with his stick and/or hand.

TRAINING NO. 6:-

In this exercise, the keeper stands by the right post (or the left one...). He looks on his left as if the action were coming from that side of the D. The player stands 5 meters from the opposite post. When the keeper gives a signal, the player hits or sends the ball, either low or high, the keeper has to dive to clear the ball. This can be done on both sides.

TRAINING NO. 7:-

Then the trainer can organise a 1X1 by different means. This can also be practised on the left hand side.

TRAINING NO. 8:-

Then two players on each side, as soon as the ball has been hit another ball can be given to the second player.

TRAINING NO. 9:-

The ball is struck by a player as hard as possible towards the keeper whose aim is to kick it into the goal.

TRAINING NO.10:-

Here the goalkeeper faces the net. At a signal given to the keeper, he turns and a the player will send the ball wherever he wants, the keeper has to save it. An important thing to remember is that the GK has to look at the ball, not the player.

TRAINING NO. 11:-

In this situation, there are four balls placed as shown, the keeper has to go towards the first one, does as if he was kicking it and back to his position. The aim is to go back to your position without looking back, without looking where you are.

TRAINING NO. 12:-

Like in exercise 9, but this time, the keeper lies down and waits for the signal to get up and save the ball, this must be done on both sides and the ball coming from different positions, not just in front of the keeper

TRAINING NO. 13:-

One of the difficulties when you play keeper (I find it difficult) is to know where to stand, especially in situations where the ball is coming from the left or the right.

Field hockey goalie drills & training

The role of goalkeeper is of critical importance in the sport of field hockey. The last line of defense for a team, the field hockey goalkeeper must be able to save shots on goal. The goalkeeper should also have the ability to communicate and form part of a cohesive defensive unit.

TYPES-
A field hockey goalkeeper must train regularly with her teammates. A goalkeeper will often be required to participate in team drills and play in scrimmages during practice. To develop to their full potential field hockey goalkeepers should participate in individual goalkeeper training. Some teams will have an assistant coach capable of providing this; other goalkeepers may have to attend private sessions to get specific goalkeeper training. Goalkeeper training drills will typically focus on shot saving and footwork.
Significance-
Specific goalkeeper training is vital to the development of all field hockey goalkeepers, whether a young beginner or an elite level player. West Vancouver Field Hockey club recommends stance, movement and shot saving to be important areas to train for a goalkeeper.

Risks-
A field hockey goalkeeper will face a number of balls traveling toward him at high speeds during a goalkeeper training session. For this reason it is important that a goalkeeper uses the correct safety equipment to avoid contusion or fracture injury. Field hockey goalkeeper equipment includes helmet, gloves, throat collar, chest protector and leg padding.