Goalkeeping: the art and craft of 1v1s

While I watch, I see often the ball finding its way over or through the defence and heading towards the penalty area. Then, from the sideline, there’s a shout of ‘Come on, keeper, that’s your ball!’ or ‘Keeper, you need to be brave!’ I’m sure this criticism is not meant to be personal - even, in a roundabout way, some sort of encouragement - but when I hear it, I’m always left wondering how many times the goalkeeper getting shouted at has actually practised this technique and these elements of their game craft.

The nature of goalkeeping sessions has changed. We work on shot-stopping, dealing with a variety of crosses, distribution and more, in creative and brilliant ways that work on the physical, social and technical aspects of the game.

What’s often lacking, though, is time invested in the game-craft of dealing with through-balls and 1v1s. There are likely many reasons for this, including the space needed to recreate match-like situations, the planning and ability to replicate the complex situations that goalkeepers often find themselves in, and perhaps the lack of time available.

One thing I’ve learned about goalkeepers over my time being one, and coaching them, is that we like things to be predictable. The variations and the lack of certainty which through-balls can provoke will sometimes unsettle goalkeepers. Providing goalkeepers with an understanding of their options, and the techniques needed to execute them, can help provide some structure around this uncertainty.

DECISION-MAKING AND TECHNIQUE

When it comes to 1v1s, goalkeepers are always making assessments and decisions based on the idea that, at best, they are favourite to be first to the ball, or at worst, will arrive at approximately the same time as their opponent.

Once the ball is played behind the defence, the goalkeeper’s starting position is vital. It gives them the best chance of success.

In order to deal with a ball being played in behind, the goalkeeper must assess the distances that they and the nearest opponent are to the ball, while also judging the quality of the opponent’s first touch. 

Their assessment will then lead them to either seek to win the ball immediately if they arrive at the same time as the opponent, recover backwards or sideways to force the opponent away from goal, or stand up and use the upright block tactic.

Arriving at the same time as the opponent and winning the ball immediately

There will be occasions when the ball may run straight through to the goalkeeper inside their penalty area. In these instances, the goalkeeper can decide to attack the ball. They should move quickly, likely using the spreading block technique. Their final action will see them push off the leg on the side they will want to land on and lead with the hands. They then gather the ball and curl up their body for security and protection.

Recovering backwards or sideways

When the opponent’s touch is good, and they remain in control of the ball, the goalkeeper may try to slow them down, or force them wide to lessen the goal size. In these instances, it’s important that the keeper stays on their feet and remains balanced. 

Other times, the opponent will try and go round the goalkeeper. In these instances, the goalkeeper will need to recover back behind or to the side of the opponent.

This method is about the goalkeeper’s ability to change direction using small, but quick, foot patterns and then throwing themselves into the path of the ball to save the shot or deflect the ball out of play before the opponent has time to take another touch. This is generally named the recovery spread.

Once an attacker takes their touch, it is important that the goalkeeper is still, with their weight forward. Too often, we see goalkeepers caught moving backwards as the opponent takes their touch. Having to adjust their slides and transfer their weight forward causes the goalkeeper to hesitate and confuses others, often meaning the next action is late.

Using the upright block

The use of the upright block technique is when the goalkeeper cannot win the ball but will stand up and provide a barrier in front of the ball, legs split wide and low to the ground whilst their hands and arms are up and out wide. Alongside this, their heads are steady, and they need to time the execution precisely at the correct moment to maximise the chance of success.

THE MODERN GOALKEEPER AND THE UPRIGHT BLOCK

Today’s top goalkeepers have brought a changing, dynamic approach to 1v1s. So often now, we see keepers use the upright block technique. Peter Schmeichel was a master at this. He had the ability to cover every part of the goal. Tall, athletic and imposing, he learnt much of this technique whilst playing handball in Denmark.

I was extremely lucky to have had the privilege of working with World Cup winner Hugo Lloris several times throughout my time at Tottenham. Hugo had so many unique qualities, but it is this one that he would always excel at. It was his brilliance at dealing with through-balls, particularly his spreading block techniques when doing so, that set Hugo apart.

I watched Hugo many times from the stands, walking the game, constantly readjusting and repositioning himself, waiting to seek an advantage.

Once Hugo was committed, his approach to the ball would see him needing to commit his attack slightly outside the line of the ball so that he could spread his body across the ball’s path. His legs would protect the second part of the goal, his hands and upper body providing a barrier to the first post. Most importantly, his hands would reach out to the ball.

TRAINING 1v1 SCENARIOS

There are lots of training exercises which can help improve both the technical and tactical elements of game-craft and 1v1s for goalkeepers. This starts from the very beginning of a goalkeeper’s training, coaching the goalkeeper from their knees and building up incrementally so they deal with situations that have space, numbers, and scenarios that are continually testing them and their understanding, requiring them to make quick decisions in a world of uncertainty.