Welcome to the first post in a new series where we introduce the methods used by Impact Football Company to coach our clients. Smart11 specializes in one-on-one coaching with (professional) footballers, using video analysis to raise awareness of individual tactical skills. The goal is to improve on-field performance and maximize your impact within the team!
Each article in this series will focus on a different Game Action.
This first article covers the Game Action: ‘Defending shot’ for goalkeepers. The articles follow this structure:
– In what game situations does the Game Action occur?
– What is the goal of this Game Action?
– What are the key points to focus on when performing this Game Action?
– What insights has Smart11 gained by working with players on this Game Action?
The ‘Defending shot’ Game Action happens in any situation where there is a chance of a shot, and the goalkeeper must be prepared to react. It’s important for goalkeepers to always be ready, even if the shot doesn’t happen. A good goalkeeper will prepare for every potential shot, no matter how unlikely it may seem.
Different sub-situations include:
- A potential shot without pressure inside the penalty box (‘clear’)
- A potential shot under pressure inside the penalty box (‘pressure’)
- A potential shot from the side (‘side’)
- A potential long-range shot (‘long’)
- A shot from a set-piece, such as a penalty or direct free kick
The main goal of defending a shot is simple:
Minimize the chance of conceding a goal by being optimally positioned.
When analyzing this action, we focus on several key elements:
Position- Height
This refers to how far the goalkeeper is positioned from the goal line. A higher position (closer to the ball) reduces the shooting angle for the attacker, making it harder for them to score. However, it also reduces the time the goalkeeper has to react to the shot. On the other hand, a deeper position (closer to the goal line) gives the goalkeeper more time to react but may leave more of the goal exposed to the attacker.
Position – Width
This is about where the goalkeeper stands horizontally in the goal. The keeper needs to adjust based on the angle of the shot and whether there’s a defender blocking part of the goal. Being centrally positioned ensures equal coverage of both corners, while being too far to one side could leave the opposite corner vulnerable.
Body Posture
This refers to the goalkeeper’s stance at the moment of the shot. The arms should be in a ready position (often near hip height), and the body slightly forward, ensuring the keeper is balanced and ready to move. Poor posture, such as having the hands too low or the body misaligned, can make it harder to react effectively to different shot types.
Balance
Balance is key to reacting quickly. The goalkeeper should be on their toes, knees slightly bent, with their weight forward. This ensures they can push off in any direction instantly. A keeper with poor balance (e.g., leaning back or being flat-footed) may be slower to react and less agile.
Moment
Moment refers to how well the goalkeeper anticipates the shot and reacts at the crucial instant. The exact moment the goalkeeper decides to move or dive can make the difference between making a save and conceding a goal. Starting preparations too late can mean missing the chance to react properly, while early preparation puts the keeper in an optimal position when the shot occurs. Mastering the right moment can be crucial for a successful save.
Coaching (pro)keepers
When a goalkeeper chooses to work with Smart11 to improve shot defense, we analyze their performance based on the sub-situations mentioned and the key points outlined. In a coaching session, we review around 20-25 clips categorized by sub-situations, helping the goalkeeper recognize patterns in their choices and behavior. Based on the insights from these sessions, we work on improving specific aspects of shot defense.
Smart11 has years of experience working with professional goalkeepers like Mickey van der Hart, currently playing for SC Heerenveen. Over time, we have analyzed hundreds, sometimes thousands of similar situations. For the Game Action of defending shots, this has given us some valuable insights on how to optimize performance. As mentioned, the goal of this Game Action is to “minimize the chance of conceding a goal by being optimally positioned.”
Let’s now illustrate how this can look, with video examples from our database.
Example: Onana – Sub-situation: Pressure
Moment (+)
As the ball is passed to Chelsea’s player number 5, Onana begins preparing for a potential shot by taking a few steps back and jumping lightly on his toes. This early preparation puts him in the perfect position when the shot is taken.
Position – height (+)
Onana stands between the goal line and the 5-meter box, giving him enough time to react to the shot.
Position – width (+)
He is centered in the goal, allowing him to cover both corners of the goal equally well.
Balance (+)
Onana keeps his knees slightly bent and stays on his toes, ready to react instantly to the shot.
Body posture (+)
His body is slightly forward, arms close to his hips, and his feet are on the ground, ready to push off.
Example: Ecuador and Mainz – Sub-situation: Long
Position – height (–)
Just before the shot is taken, the goalkeeper steps forward, ending up just behind the 5-meter line. This is surprising, as the shot comes from outside the 16-meter box, with significant pressure on the ball. The downside of this advanced position is that the goalkeeper has less time to react because the distance to the ball is reduced. Standing closer to the goal line would have provided more reaction time.
Example: Groningen – Sub-situation: Clear
Position – height (–)
In this scenario, the Groningen keeper chooses to stay in place while the ball is in the air, instead of moving forward to close the distance to the attacker. By not stepping forward, the attacker is left with a large scoring angle close to the goal, making it easier for them to score. A better decision would have been to reduce the space between him and the attacker.
Example: Flekken – Sub-situation: Pressure
Position – height (+)
Right before the shot is taken, Flekken takes a few steps forward, reducing the distance between him and the attacker. By doing this, he narrows the shooting angle, making it harder for the attacker to score. The key to this execution is stopping at the right moment, ensuring Flekken is fully prepared when the shot comes.
Example: Pasveer – Sub-situation: Pressure
Moment (+)
As soon as the ball is played wide, Pasveer begins preparing for a potential shot. By the time the shot is taken, he is fully ready, allowing him to react immediately.
Position – height (+)
When the cross is delivered, Pasveer takes a small step back toward the goal line. This gives him a bit of extra reaction time, which he uses to make a sharp reflex save.
Position – width (+)
At the moment of the shot, Pasveer is slightly to the right of the center of the goal. This is a good position, given that the shot is coming from a meter to the right of the penalty spot.
Body posture (+)
Pasveer’s knees are slightly bent, and his arms are positioned at hip level alongside his body. His upper body is straight since the ball is directly in front of him, allowing him a clear view. His feet are firmly on the ground, enabling him to push off quickly.
Balance (+)
Pasveer’s center of gravity is forward, as his upper body is slightly leaned forward. Just before the shot, Pasveer makes a small “split-step” (a light hop), making it easier to push off as soon as his feet land again. The timing is perfect.
Example: Utrecht – Sub-situation: Pressure
Position – width (–)
The Utrecht goalkeeper positions himself too close to the near post. The downside is clearly visible: the far post is left completely open. A better choice would have been to position more centrally, allowing him to cover both corners equally, increasing his chances of stopping the shot.
Example: Lille – Sub-situation: Side
Body posture (?)
In this example, the Lille keeper holds his hands very low to the ground, likely trying to prevent the attacker from scoring low. The risk with this positioning is that the attacker could shoot at hip height, making it harder for the keeper to make the save. It’s up to the keeper to weigh this risk and decide the best hand position for the situation.
Thank you for reading! Please let us know in the comments what you think of this post.