Do you desire to become a goalkeeper or you have been asked whether you would be interested in becoming one? It is an important decision to make as the goalie is arguably the most important player in the game because he or 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. If you think goalie is the position for you, this guide will give you a few pointers to help you in your decision.
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! Hockey retailers like www.justhockey are a good start point for looking at goalie gear to purchase
Mentally Strength
Goalkeepers need to be focused and determined. Because you are generally the last stopping block between an opposition scoring you need to adopt the attitude that ‘nothing will get passed you. Being motivated like this is important but what is equally as important in the event that the opposition do score that you do not take it personally so that your overall focus and determination does not change negatively. If you make a mistake, learn from it for the next time. When you first start playing goalie it can be a fearful experience when a ball comes ‘whistling’ towards you at speed. To get overcome this it is suggested that 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, deflecting and kicking the ball.
Goalkeeping Techniques
Goalkeeping like playing in the field requires getting techniques and skills right. Like everything it takes progression from basic to advanced and heaps of practical experience. The foundation of goalkeeping is to focus on being in the right position, then work on stopping the ball. Getting in the right position involves getting your positional angles right first.
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.
Communication
As a goalie, one of your main duties is to communicate with your defence. 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.
Learn
There are many resources available that help you learn the art of goalkeeping. It is the goal of Go Hockey News to provide for you tips. Our goalkeeping experts will ensure you are kept well informed. Check out the goalie video on this page. Goalkeepers are the best.
