Goalkeepers tend to deal particularly with low shots by getting their body as low as they can as well, and ultimately falling on the ball. While there’s an argument to be made that new techniques for these types of plays don’t require that you fall on the ball, you may still be better off going with the classic technique. Technically the answer to, “why do goalkeepers fall on the ball” is that they do so to control the ball and make sure it doesn’t squeeze past them. However, we do see some goalkeepers fall on the ball when they seemingly wouldn’t have to. Also, it’s not a completely safe method to avoid mistakes. I found that out the hard way recently with a slippery ball that snuck past me on what should’ve been an easy shot to handle.
With that in mind perhaps the real question should not be why do goalkeepers fall on the ball? It could be when should you fall on the ball as a goalkeeper? When you decide to fall on the ball, how can you do it right? You know so that you don’t make the same mistake I recently made. In this article I want to go over how you can deal with low running shots that are coming at your body. From there, you can make the decision to fall on the ball or not. Just as a heads-up there are moments when it can totally make sense to fall on the ball for a variety of reasons. Don’t think though that by just falling on the ball everything is going to be ok.
Why Do Goalkeepers Fall On The Ball – Low or Mid-Level Direct Shots
There are actually times when you’re going to fall on the ball because of the power that the shot coming in has. For example, you’ve got a shot coming straight at you right into your belly area. What you’re going to want to do to save that particular shot is crouch down just a bit, let the ball come in and cradle it to make the catch. In doing this you could naturally fall forward. What you want to do with those types of shots that I just described, and low running shots is get your body behind the ball.
Even though you want to get your body behind the ball you want to make sure that you control the ball with your hands. You can’t just fall on the ball and not use your hands and hope that everything is going to be ok. Some goalkeepers now don’t want to lower their entire body for low running shots and just put their hands down to pick the ball up. I’m not for this new style just because it eliminates the safety net that you can create by putting your body behind the ball.
In any case, as I mentioned this motion or this position that you’re going to put your body in is in many ways going to force your body downward. If the shot comes in hard enough you may find yourself falling on the ball without necessarily wanting to do so. If you make the save that’s all that matters. A lot of times it doesn’t make sense to try and avoid falling on the ball. Unless you’re in a hurry to get the ball back in play.
Mistakes That You Want To Avoid While Falling On The Ball
I said already that I made one of these big mistakes recently. I led to a goal, and it was embarrassing to the point where I literally contemplated retirement. The mistake that I made on that particular occasion was literally diving on the ball body first without securing the ball with my hands. This is one of the more common mistakes when you literally dive towards the ball. That’s exactly what you don’t want to do. What you want to do is secure the ball either just with your hands or better yet with your hands against your chest and then fall forward. If you do what I did and just launch yourself forward the ball can slip right through your hands. Since you’re already falling forward the ball can slip right between your legs towards the goal.
Essentially the main mistake is to have your body get to the ball before your hands do, or before you get a chance to control the ball with your hands. When we’re talking about a shot that’s headed towards your chest or your midsection it could hit your chest or your belly before you get the chance to get your hands on it. That’s when you want to make sure you get your hands up in front of your chest so that even if the ball hits your body first your hands keep you from giving up a second chance opportunity off the rebound. If the ball is coming in too hot at the chest level or below there’s no shame in trying to deflect it off to the side and live to fight another day.
Falling On The Ball To Protect Yourself
There are instances in which it’s going to be a good idea for goalkeepers to fall on the ball to protect themselves and the possession of the ball. In any of the plays that I described previously with low shots or even mid-level ones you may be making that catch in traffic. Meaning that there could be plenty of players from the other team or even your own team in the box. So in those cases it could be a good idea to make the catch and fall on the ball to make sure that you don’t give up that rebound and that you protect yourself and the ball.
You don’t want players from the other team kicking at you to try and get you to lose possession. One of the ways that you’re going to get protection and at times more fouls is if you fall on the ball. When you fall on the ball the ref is usually going to be under the impression that you have full possession of the ball. Even if the ball is still moving a bit. So any attempt from opposing players to try and kick the ball while it’s under you is more likely to be called a foul. If you just make the save and don’t go down, but the ball is kind of clearly moving it’s more likely that the ref will wave play on if someone strips you of possession.
Do You Really Need To Fall On The Ball?
I already talked about the new trend particularly with low running shots where some goalkeepers just use their hands and don’t put their body behind the ball to make a clean catch. You could argue it’s actually easier to make a clean catch that way. For me though, I still go back to the way I was taught. I prefer that method not only because it’s what feels normal and familiar at this point. Also, because it gives you a safety net which is your body. If you’re just using your hands to make catches then you’re not taking advantage of that safety net. As I also mentioned some shots are going to force you down. So you’re going to want to make sure that you’ve got the technique down. The last thing you want is to fall down hard because you don’t know how to fall on the ball.
Even if you’re thinking that you’re going to use the modern method to make saves on those low shots it’s not a bad idea to train diving on the ball. As I mentioned if the strength of the shot forces you down you’ll have a better sense of how to fall. When it comes to goalkeeping it’s not a bad idea to pick up different techniques to handle perhaps the same type of play. What that’s going to give you is just more tools when you are faced with a specific situation on the field. That’s why it’s important for example to know how to punch a cross. Catching crosses cleanly is certainly better, but that may not always be a reasonable option. Having more tools in your arsenal is always a positive.
Falling On The Ball To Waste Time Yes or No
This is something that I couldn’t forget to talk about when it comes to why do goalkeepers fall on the ball. The fact is, at times goalkeepers are going to fall on the ball to waste some clock, and even frustrate the other team. You have to know though when this is a good idea and when it’s not. A lot of times young goalkeepers are too quick to put the ball back in play. The best thing that you can do, particularly if you’re going to put the ball long, is wait for your team to get settled up on the field. One of the ways that you can take some time off the clock or wait for your team to get settled is to fall on the ball once you make a catch.
To be honest I do feel that this is a very valid technique. You just have to be careful with the amount of time that you’re spending on the ground. Make sure that you don’t get on the ref’s bad side by doing this. If your team is winning though you should be in no hurry to put the ball back in play. In fact falling on the ball and allowing a few more seconds to go by is one of the best ways to frustrate the other team. Other people may want to say that this is not fair play, therefore this is not something that we should be promoting. I go back to having more things in your Arsenal. As a goalkeeper you have to know when to ice the game. This is one of the best ways to do just that!
Why Do Goalkeepers Fall On The Ball – Conclusion
There are plays that are going to literally bring you to your knees. So not all of the times that a goalkeeper falls on the ball it’s because he or she is trying to be dramatic. I feel that it’s a good idea to arch your body forward a bit to deal with some of the harder shots. Not only are you going to be using your body as the last line of defense. It’s also going to help you deal with some of those harder shots. Otherwise, you just have your hands to help you deal with the situation. You have to accept that sometimes it’s a good idea to have a little extra help.
Falling on the ball and waiting for your team to get set is not just something that could benefit your squad when you’re winning, and it’s late in the game. If you feel that the other team has gotten off too many shots on goal in a short period of time, staying down for a little bit can help them cool down and your team to settle down. As a goalkeeper you need to be able to accurately take the pulse of the game. From there you can make the decision to speed things up or slow things down. Depending on what’s best for your team at any given time. Falling on the ball is one of the best ways to do that.
