Over our posts and in our APP, you have seen how we structure and sequence the different tactical contents. Today, we are going to analyse specifically the close-range shot, a situation that still generates much debate:
Must the goalkeeper reduce and cover the shot angle?
Should the goalkeeper hold, giving him/herself the right time/space to take part successfully?
Do both considerations depend on the body structure and other physical conditions such as explosion?
Now we’re going to try to interpret each of the situations from our point of view. Remember that the ability to interpret the game depends on a lot of factors, but mainly:
- Football experiences (past and present)
- Personality/character
Whenever anybody can argue logically the different football situations, we must be respectful and listen, due to the fact that it can be a good chance to understand how your goalkeepers think and interpret. But remember: don’t be judgy! Otherwise, you’ll drive them away instead of getting close to them to create a good working environment.
1st SITUATION
We can easily find this situation over any league matchday. We consider it a close-range shot in the lateral flank. This time, Kepa decides positioning before a close-range shot with the help of the centre-back, a bit more forward that he usually is. Also pay attention to the adjustment/jump just before the kick.
Is he caught in the air?
Are these kinds of vertical adjustments right, just in the kick time before so close-range situations?
Why do many goalkeepers do it?
Besides the body structure, if we focus on the “height” of the positioning, we think that he would have had more time to react properly if he had been one or two more steps backwards, since the distance between the goalkeeper and the player is longer.