KeepaCoach

Field Hockey Goalkeeper Coaching requires a very specialised approach. Many coaches dont understand the demands of the position as there are so few to have experienced what it feels like to put the gear on and attempt to stop a thunderbolt. Field Hockey Goalkeepers are unique individuals and require a unique approach. I hope you may be able to find something here to help in some small way. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-2574824-21']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

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We have made a video on a recent shoot out challenge. Some keepers play this very well and others are not so great. We have specific thoughts on how to handle the shoot out we will share in a future post.

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George Bazeley doing some technique training. He has an excellent save clear technique. You will see the ball hardly ever returns to where it came from.  Also if you watch closely you can see him following the direction of the ball once he saves it so he is ready for the next shot if it comes.

[keepacoach]

FIH own goal rule. Our thoughts so far.

For those not aware the FIH has introduced a new rule where own goals can now be scored if any player from either team touches the ball in the circle and the ball enters the goal.

Sounds like a good idea or is it?  

What we have seen so far is that goalkeepers have become more involved in the play as you have to protect the net from both teams now.  So many more balls that would have previously been let go into the goal and played as a long corner are now having to be kept in play.

The down side is we have seen teams pounding the ball into the circle from all parts of the field hoping that maybe someone will touch the ball or the goalkeeper make a mistake.  The new rule seems to fly in the face of the current free hit within the 25 rule where the ball can't be smashed directly into the circle.

Will be interesting to see where this goes in the future.

KeepaCoach

[keepacoach]

We never get tired of seeing Goalkeepers save goals.  Here are some good ones.

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Great video on the sacrifices Nathan Burgers has made to get to the top @burgers_22

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Hockey Goalkeeper product review: Portable hockey gear dryer.  Works great check it out.

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How "Quiet Eye" techniques and controlling eye gaze affects goalkeeping.

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The "Quiet Eye" technique controlling eye gaze.

The very best goalkeepers rely on what researcher Joan Vickers at the University of Calgary dubbed "the quiet eye," the critical moment of focus prior to final action.

To accurately track a goalkeepers focus, the researchers used headgear that had cameras record their eye movements as well as what they are looking at to within 16.67 milliseconds. The scientists fit headgear onto eight elite goaltenders who had played competitively for an average of 15 years and had a save percentage of 88 percent.

The researchers discovered that elite goalies focused directly on the puck nearly a full second before the shot was released nearly 75% of the time. They also concentrated on the ice in front of the stick when it came to 25% of all shots. Their focus was only on the body of the shooter approx 2% of the time.

All of this sounds pretty obvious until they looked at the eye movements of novice goaltenders, who scatter their gaze all over the place and in turn have a much lower save percentage than the elite goalies.

There are lots of drills and skills fed to goalkeepers today, but is the "Quiet Eye" technique also something you are practising?  Coaches in field hockey call this focusing on the ball, but we think that "Quiet Eye" takes this a step further.

[keepacoach]

Twilight Goalkeeping: We were just having a muck around at training while waiting for the lights to come on. So we put the camera down on the ground to capture some saves. Nothing serious just having some fun. Stay tuned for some coaching videos soon.

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Are you a hockey goalkeeper? Do you feel different? Check this out from @rickgmac @luumhc

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Excellent hockey goalkeeper technique video from Australian goalkeeper coach David Bell.

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The Kookaburras warm up with Nathan Burgers in goals.  Nathan Burgers is a world class keeper and is the current Kookaburras no1.  Watch how Burgers commits himself to 5 or 6 shots then takes a break to refocus and then commits himself again.  This is an excellent tip for all keepers.  When in the net make sure you are 100% committed to saving every shot.  If you lose focus jump out for a break and then go again.

[keepacoach]

Did you want to know what it feels like to face one of the best drag flickers in world hockey?

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This really does work.  When soaking that smelly goalie gear in the tub or the bath just throw in a cup of white vinegar. It helps to breakdown and remove the odour. Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

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Isn't it time Goalkeepers got more involved in the transfer?

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Tim Jessulat making multiple saves in an indoor game. Watch how quick he is able to react and get off the ground to get into position to make the next save.

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R.I.P ZigZag Sticks?

A number of years ago there was a big move by Goalkeepers to play with ZigZag or bent shaft sticks.  Much of this was due to many keepers at the time laying down on short corners and the thought was these sticks gave more coverage on the ground.  At the same time there were larger gloves introduced that were lifting the hook of the sticks off the ground.  Now that drag flicking has dominated short corner attacks around the globe we now see many if not most elite goalkeepers moving back to straight shaft sticks.  Will this be a trend that will continue?  Only time will tell.  What do you think?