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READY/SET/GO
READY
While field players must anticipate what the opponent (and their team mates )with the ball will probably do, keepers must react, not anticipate. To do so, there are certain things that keepers need to learn so well that it becomes automatic.
Spectacular sights are the diving, punching and goal saving moves. All these are a consequence of good basic coaching. The basic things keepers must learn is what I call the READY/SET/GO approach. The keeper must be comfortable in any stance, but particularly in the READY position. In the READY position, an opponent has the ball and will surely take a shot on goal or pass the ball to a team mate by the goal. The latter may be a chip shot, a lofting pass or a straight cross pass. The receiver may kick, tap, head or even pass the ball again.
For the READY position the keeper places the feet shoulder width apart, and bends the knees as to crouch into a sitting position. The upper body is bent comfortably forward, head and arms at a "welcome" position. By "welcome," I don't mean that the keeper welcomes the opponent, rather let's the opponent know: "Bring it on, because I am ready for you." What I describe as the keeper "welcome" position, the arms are slightly ahead of the body, but aside at an almost relaxed state, pointing down with palms facing the opponent.
The keeper moves left and right as needed depending on the opponent's movements, always maintaining the right center of opponent to posts ratio*.
SET
The SET position is what the keeper goes into at the split second before the opponent's foot touches the ball to kick it into goal or the goal area. The SET position is a READY position with the keeper anchored in the spot to react to the kick. Feet are firmly planted, head facing the opponent, eyes fixed on the ball.
GO
GO follows the SET position. At the time the ball leaves the opponent's foot, the player reacts to the trajectory of the ball. The keeper has little time to decide how to react (NOT anticipate). He/she may have to "pluck" the ball out of the air, punch it, smother it, dive at it or one of many other keeper moves.
Once the keeper has proper control of the ball, the next "GO" part is distribution*. Realizing where on the field the opponents are weaker or stronger, his/her own team is located and where the most advantageous place is to re-distribute the ball is part of the mental training.
*See discussions elsewhere
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