hockey goalkeeper
Intro
I am a (field) hockey goalkeeper.Yes, I'm probably insane.
I am one of the people, who spend 3 times as long as everyone else getting ready for matches, because of the huge amount of padding I have to wear. That padding which incidently always stinks...due to the sweat and the water it absorbs, after it's absorbed all the water, we goalkeepers just throw all the kit into a big bag and wait patiently for the padding to start rotting.
When I'm finally ready I slowly walk over to the goal and get ready for the match. Contrary to popular belief, not all hockey goalkeepers are amazingly lazy. OK, I can be very lazy, but once the game starts I'll do anything to stop the ball going into the net.
That includes getting: amazing massive bruises, concussions, twisted ankles..etc. And of course diving at a striker and scaring the s**t out of them (my personal favourite ;) ), as long as you were aiming at the ball you can usually get away with it.
OK, so there is something very masochistic about going against your reflexes to stop a ball hitting the net behind you, but I love it anyway.
Tips
OK, so here are a few tips for anyone wanting to be a goalkeeper:1. Don`t be scared.
A ball flying at you can be pretty scary, but trust your pads and get your body behind the ball. If a players running at you, don`t concentrate on them, concentrate on the ball.
2. Know your kit.
Even though you wear a massive amount of padding, there will always be places on your body which aren`t padded, you should know where they are and try and stop the ball accordingly.
3. Stay on your toes.
This means you can move a lot faster, whatever type of save you`re making. Also keep your bodyweight forward, if you lean back, you risk falling backwards after a save.
4. Never lose sight of the ball.
Even after you`ve made a save you always have to be ready for a rebound.
5. Control your defence.
You can see the pitch best, so make sure your defence keep the marking tight, especially in the D.
6. Know your way around the D
If you don`t know where the goal is, you can easily get caught out of position, I find that using the penalty spot is a good way of keeping my bearings.
7. Quick decisions
If you can`t decide whether to run at a striker or stay in goal ready for the shot you can get caught in no-mans land.
8. Watch the ball
I find that when you`re deciding which way to dive that watch the ball and the end of the stick is the best guess. Players usually position their stick so you can tell which way the ball`s going to go. Only a very good striker can change the position of their stick at the very last second.
9. Never turn your back on the ball
Not only is it dangerous but it means you have no chance of making the save.
Rules
OK, so they`re the basics, here are a few rules:1.Goalkeepers cannot cross the halfway line unless they are taking a penalty flick.
2.Goalkeepers can use any part of their body to block the ball (you cannot hit or kick the ball in the air, that counts as dangerous play)
3. Goalkeepers cannot lie on the ball
4. Once out of the D, goalkeepers may only use their sticks to touch the ball (same rules as an outfield player apply)
Otherwise many of the same rules apply to goalkeepers as outfield players, such as the rules for dangerous play and the rules for tackling.
Good Luck :-)
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| Conversation Title | Latest Post | Latest Reply |
|---|---|---|
| total agreement! | Jul 13, 2005 | Nov 9, 2005 |
| Greetings and welcome | Jul 20, 2005 | No Replies |
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| napster | Jul 18, 2005 | No Replies |
nutta182
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