A goalkeeper has five main areas of respon sibility the fifth of which Is defending set plays The remaining four areas which I shall explain today are:
I Dealing with shots
2 Dealing with crosses
3 Supporting the defence
4 Distribution
(1) Stopping shots
a) The first objective for a goalkeeper In relation to stopping shots is to under stand that he either holds the ball or knocks it away to safety In order to be sure of holding the ball a goalkeeper should endeavour to get his body behind the ball. To clear It force must be applied.
b) Narrowing the angle.
A goalkeeper should understand that his best chance of stopping shots is to reduce the angle his opponent has to alm at. Even by moving a yard or two off the goalline will help close the amount of space for the attacker to shoot into Of course, he must not come too far out of his goal, otherwise the ball is likelv to be played over his head But if the ball Is outside the penalty area there is little risk in moving four or five yards off one s line.
c) Goalkeeper against a forward clear of tbe defence
-Sometimes a goalkeeper will find himself In the position where the defence Is completely beaten and an opponent with the ball has a clear run at goal The goal keeper must now narrow the angle still further
d) Move out quickly but under control
The time for a goalkeeper to move quickly is whilst the ball is outside the playing distance of the attacking player. If the attacking player Is within playing distance of the ball, that Is when he could shoot at any moment, then the keeper should move with much more caution and ensure that he is sufficiently well-balanced to be able to move to counter any shot taken either side of him. If the goalkeeper is moving very quickly in a forward direction. at the moment the shot is taken it will be impossible for him to make a lateral movement to stop the ban
•) Stand up do not dive in anticipation of the shot
Just as it was seen in the Mohammedans vs Abahani match Ponir the Mohammedan custodian, dived in anticipation before Aslam of Abahani made contact with the ball Once the goalkeeper goes to ground he has committed a cardinal sin. Ponir made the same mistake and thus conceded the first goal of the match.