Saves of Middle Shots From 9 Meters

Save reactions for middle shots from 9 meters are similar to save reactions of low shots when using the side step save technique. The only difference is that the side step is shorter when reacting to middle shots, and the reacting arm is placed higher than in saves of low shots, because that arm is covering the middle height space.

This might sound like a simple adjustment, but the execution requires dedicated training. Many young goalkeepers struggle with middle shots precisely because they try to use the same technique they learned for low saves without making the necessary adaptations. The result is either reaching too low while the ball passes at chest height, or making such a deep side step that they lose balance and can’t cover the middle zone effectively.

Middle shots from 9 meters represent a significant portion of backcourt shooting. Skilled backcourt players know that the middle zone can be challenging for goalkeepers who haven’t specifically trained for it. The space between the high corner and the low corner is substantial, and without proper technique, this becomes an easy target.

This article covers the side step adaptation needed for middle saves, proper arm positioning, body mechanics, and how cooperation with defense changes your approach to protecting the middle zone.

Key Takeaways

• Middle shots require a shorter side step than low shots – The side step for saves of middle shots from 9 meters needs to be shorter to maintain balance and allow proper arm positioning at mid-torso to chest height. A deep side step would place the arm too low.
• The reacting arm position is the key difference from low saves – While low saves require the arm low near the floor, middle shots need the arm positioned higher, at mid-torso to chest height. The elbow should be slightly bent (“locked”) to prevent injury from the powerful impact.
• Cooperation with defense makes middle saves easier – Goalkeepers should learn early that they don’t need to protect the entire goal alone. Working with defenders to cover specific zones allows goalkeepers to commit more fully to their designated area.
• Body position determines reaction speed – Weight should be distributed equally on both feet with a slight forward lean. This stance enables faster lateral movement and better coverage when reacting to middle shots from 9 meters.
• The transition between saves of different heights must be smooth – Goalkeepers face high, middle, and low shots in unpredictable sequences. Training should include combinations that require quick adjustments between different save techniques.

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Understanding the Side Step Save Technique

The side step save technique involves a lateral push off step toward the direction of the incoming shot, allowing the goalkeeper to position themselves optimally to make the save. When dealing with low shots, the side step is typically deeper, longer, and lower, and the reacting arm is positioned low to cover the lower corner of the goal. But for save reactions for middle shots from 9 meters, the goalkeeper needs to make a shorter side step and position the reacting arm higher.

If you haven’t already read about the side step technique for low shots, I recommend checking that article first. Understanding the foundational technique makes the adaptations for middle saves much clearer.

The side step works because it generates lateral movement through a push off from the supporting leg while the reacting leg steps toward the ball. This creates both the movement and the body positioning needed to block the shot. The challenge with middle shots from 9 meters is that the same explosive push off must result in a different body position than what’s needed for low saves.

Why Middle Shots Are Challenging

Middle shots from 9 meters present unique challenges that neither high saves nor low saves share.

The target zone is large – The middle height of the goal spans roughly from hip height to chest height, depending on the goalkeeper’s stature. This is a substantial area that requires precise arm positioning to cover effectively.

Shooters have more options – When a shooter aims for the middle zone, they can adjust their release point slightly to hit either the upper middle or lower middle area. This variability makes anticipation more difficult for goalkeepers.

The goalkeeper’s body provides less natural coverage – In the basic stance, a goalkeeper’s arms and legs create some natural coverage of high and low areas. The middle zone, however, depends almost entirely on the save reaction because there’s less body in the way during the ready position.

Transition from other saves is difficult – If a goalkeeper has just made a high save and the next shot comes to the middle zone, the adjustment required is significant. Similarly, transitioning from a low save to a middle save requires repositioning the entire body.

Powerful shots at middle height are common – Backcourt players often release their most powerful shots at middle height because their natural throwing motion generates maximum power at this level. The ball arrives fast with significant force.

Understanding these challenges helps coaches design training that specifically addresses middle shots from 9 meters rather than assuming goalkeepers will figure it out from their high and low save training.

Adapting the Side Step Technique for Saves of Middle Shots From 9 Meters

When the trajectory of the shot from 9 meters distance is coming toward the middle of the goal, goalkeepers have to adapt their saving technique slightly.

Here are the main principles of that adaptation:

Shorten the Side Step

The side push off step for saves of middle shots from 9 meters needs to be shorter than the one used for saves of low shots. A shorter side step ensures that a goalkeeper remains well-balanced and agile, ready to react to the shot’s direction. This adjustment in the length of the side step is crucial as it allows for a quicker transition from the save reaction into the basic stance, or from the save reaction to pick up the ball after a miss or a save.

Also, a shorter side step is necessary so that the arm can be positioned at the middle height of the goal. If the side step is too deep (like in low saves), the body drops too low and the arm naturally ends up covering the low zone instead of the middle zone. The connection between step length and arm position is direct: shorter step equals higher arm position.

Young goalkeepers often make the mistake of using the same side step depth regardless of shot height. This creates inconsistency in their middle saves. Training should specifically address the different step lengths required for different shot heights.

Position of the Reacting Arm

Unlike low shots where the reacting arm is placed lower to block the low corner of the goal, saving middle shots requires the reacting arm to be positioned higher, at mid-torso to chest height, on either side of the body depending on the direction of the ball. This is because the ball is aimed at the middle height space of the goal.

The goalkeeper’s arm should be fully extended while slightly bent (“locked”) in the elbow. This elbow position is crucial because of the high possibility of sustaining an injury when reaching toward the ball with a fully extended elbow, due to the very high power and impact of the ball. A slightly bent elbow absorbs impact more safely than a locked straight arm.

The positioning of the reacting arm is key to covering the middle section of the goal effectively. Make sure that the space between the goalkeeper and the goal post is protected. The arm creates a barrier from approximately hip height to shoulder height, which is exactly where middle shots from 9 meters will arrive.

The Non-Reacting Arm

While the reacting arm covers the middle zone on one side, the non-reacting arm plays an important role as well. It should remain elevated and ready, not dropped to the side. This arm provides balance during the lateral movement and serves as secondary coverage if the ball deflects or if the goalkeeper needs to make a quick adjustment.

Some goalkeepers let their non-reacting arm drop during the save movement, which compromises their balance and reduces their ability to react if the first contact doesn’t secure the ball. Training should emphasize maintaining both arms in active positions throughout the save.

Focus on Body Position

Body position is very important when reacting to any kind of shots. Make sure your body is slightly leaning forward, with your weight distributed equally on both feet. This stance improves your reaction time and enables you to move faster in response to the shot. Keeping your body square to the shooter’s arm with the ball as much as possible also increases the chances of saving the shot, as it maximizes the area covered by your body.

For saves of middle shots from 9 meters specifically, the forward lean is crucial because it keeps the goalkeeper’s center of gravity positioned for lateral movement. Leaning backward makes the side step slower and less explosive. Leaning too far forward creates balance problems that affect the quality of the save.

The Relationship Between Step Length and Save Height

One of the most important concepts for young goalkeepers to understand is how step length directly relates to save height. This relationship applies across all saves from 9 meters:

Low saves require the deepest side step because the body needs to get low enough for the arm to reach the low corners. The deep step drops the hips and allows the arm to extend toward the floor.

Middle shots from 9 meters require a moderate side step that keeps the body at a height where the arm naturally covers the middle zone. Too deep and the arm ends up low. Too shallow and the goalkeeper lacks the lateral reach needed.

High saves require the shortest lateral step (often just a push off and jump diagonally high) because the body needs to stay tall while the arm extends upward. A too deep side step would drop the body and make high coverage impossible.

Understanding this relationship helps goalkeepers make instinctive adjustments based on where they read the shot going. Training should include sequences that require different step lengths in rapid succession so this adjustment becomes automatic.

Common Mistakes in Middle Shot Saves

Working with goalkeepers across different levels, I consistently see certain mistakes in saves of middle shots from 9 meters:

Using the same step depth as low saves – This is the most common mistake. The goalkeeper makes a deep side step that worked well for low saves, but their arm ends up too low for the middle zone. The ball passes over their reaching arm.

Arm position too low or too high – Some goalkeepers position their arm at the wrong height, either still thinking “low save” or overcorrecting toward “high save.” Middle shots from 9 meters require the arm at mid-torso to chest height specifically.

Fully extended elbow – Reaching with a completely straight, locked elbow creates injury risk when the powerful shot makes contact. The elbow should be slightly bent to absorb impact safely.

Dropping the non-reacting arm – When the opposite arm drops to the side, the goalkeeper loses balance and coverage options. Both arms should remain active during the save.

Weight on heels instead of forward – Goalkeepers who lean back have slower lateral movement and less explosive push off. The slight forward lean is essential for quick reactions.

Not training middle saves specifically – Some coaches assume middle saves will develop naturally from high and low save training. They don’t. The specific adjustments needed require dedicated practice.

Practice Reaction Speed and Anticipation

Saving middle shots from 9 meters requires great positioning and the ability to anticipate the shooter’s intentions. It’s important to work on drills that improve goalkeeper’s speed and agility, as well as exercises that improve hand-eye coordination. Studying shooters’ tendencies and patterns can also give you an edge in anticipating where the shot will go.

Anticipation for middle shots has some specific elements:

Watch the shooter’s arm angle – The angle of the throwing arm often indicates whether the shot will go high, middle, or low. A flatter release point typically produces middle or low shots.

Notice the shooter’s body position – Shooters aiming for middle zones often have more upright body positions compared to those bending for low corners or reaching high.

Read the defensive situation – If defenders are blocking high, shooters often aim middle or low. If defenders are positioned low, shooters may go high or middle. Understanding these patterns helps goalkeepers anticipate.

Study specific players – In competitive play, knowing which backcourt players favor middle shots from 9 meters helps goalkeepers prepare. Some players have clear tendencies that provide valuable information.

Cooperation With Defense

Whenever you start working on saves of high, middle, or low shots from 9 meters, you should include basic principles and elements of cooperation with defense. You want to teach your goalkeepers how to position themselves optimally and how to cooperate with their defense in the best way, so that they don’t think they have to protect the entire goal at all times.

From certain shooting positions, we can have a cooperation with our defense. They can help us by blocking shots to one side of the goal, while we are attempting to save the other side of the goal. It’s never too early to introduce the basic principles of cooperation with defense.

For middle shots from 9 meters specifically, defensive cooperation might look like this:

Defenders blocking high corners allows the goalkeeper to focus on middle and low zones. The goalkeeper can position slightly lower and commit more fully to middle saves knowing the high zone is covered.

Defenders blocking specific sides allows the goalkeeper to shade toward the open side. If defense is blocking the left side effectively, the goalkeeper can anticipate shots to the right and prepare accordingly.

Communication during play helps goalkeepers understand what coverage to expect. Defenders calling out their blocking assignments gives goalkeepers real-time information about where they need to focus.

Teaching this cooperation early makes goalkeepers more effective and reduces the mental burden of trying to cover everything alone.

Example for Training Progression for Middle Saves

Building competence in saves of middle shots from 9 meters requires systematic progression:

Stage 1: Arm positioning without movement – Have goalkeepers stand still and practice positioning their arm at the correct height for middle saves. Compare this to low save arm position so they can feel the difference.

Stage 2: Shortened side step without ball – Practice the side step with the shorter depth required for middle saves. Compare to the deeper step used for low saves. Focus on the relationship between step length and arm position.

Stage 3: Decided shots at middle height – Introduce the ball with predictable shots to the middle zone. Goalkeeper knows every shot is coming to middle height and focuses on proper technique execution.

Stage 4: Mixing low and middle shots – Combine middle and low shots so goalkeepers must read the trajectory and adjust their step length and arm position accordingly. This builds the discrimination skills needed in games.

Stage 5: Adding high shots – Include all three heights so goalkeepers practice the full range of adjustments. Randomly mixed shots require quick reading and appropriate technique selection.

Stage 6: Game-like sequences. Multiple shots in succession with movement between saves. This prepares goalkeepers for match conditions where middle shots from 9 meters come as part of longer attacking sequences.

Mental Strength and Confidence

Finally, the psychological aspect of making middle shot saves can’t be overstated. Confidence and mental strength are goalkeeper’s best allies in the heat of the moment in important matches. Goalkeepers should believe in their training, instincts, and abilities. They should stay focused and not let a received goal bring them down. We need to always remember that handball goalkeeping is as much about mental strength as it is about physical skills.

Middle shots from 9 meters can be frustrating for goalkeepers who haven’t specifically trained for them. The shots seem to find gaps between their natural coverage areas. This frustration can affect confidence if goalkeepers don’t understand that the solution is technique refinement, not more effort or more athleticism.

Coaches should frame middle save training positively. When goalkeepers understand the specific adjustments needed and see their middle save percentage improve through practice, their confidence grows naturally.

Connecting Middle Saves to Your Overall Development

Saves of middle shots from 9 meters don’t exist in isolation. They’re part of a complete goalkeeper skillset that includes saves at all heights, from all distances, and in all game situations.

The side step technique learned for middle saves transfers directly to low saves (with deeper steps) and has connections to the push off movement used in high saves. The body positioning principles apply across all save types. The cooperation with defense extends to every shooting situation.

As you develop your middle save technique, notice how it relates to what you’ve already learned about high saves and low saves. The connections between these techniques make each one stronger.

Take Your Training Further with Level 1 Video Course

If you want to learn proper technique for saves of high, middle, and low shots from 9 meters, including detailed progressions and common mistake corrections, check out my Level 1 Video Course for Coaches.

Topics covered in Level 1 Video Course:

• Basic stance of handball goalkeeper
• Movement in basic stance and correct positioning
• Basic goalkeeper warm-up routine
• Saves of high shots from 9 meters
• Saves of middle shots from 9 meters
• Saves of low shots from 9 meters
• Progression steps and methodology for teaching each technique
• Common mistakes and how to correct them

Conclusion

Saving middle shots from 9 meters is a skill that represents the balance between proper positioning, cooperation with defense, reading opponents’ movements, agility, precision, and mental toughness. The specific adaptations needed, shorter side step and higher arm position, require dedicated training rather than assuming they’ll develop automatically from other save practice.

Remember, every shot saved is a step closer to victory, and every training session is an opportunity to improve both as a goalkeeper and as a person. Keep working on the details, and don’t neglect middle saves just because they seem similar to low saves. The differences matter, and mastering them will make you a more complete and confident goalkeeper.

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Video – Combo Drill for Saves of Middle Shots From 9 Meters

In the video below, you can see a combo drill for saves of middle shots from 9 meters, including vestibular stimulation and balance challenge with a 180-degree jump turn. After the turn, the goalkeeper needs to see and process fast which arm one of the two other goalkeepers lifted up. Based on that, they touch the opposite side post and then react to a few alternating sides of middle shots.

This combo drill integrates multiple elements: vestibular challenge from the jump turn, cognitive processing to identify the signal, physical execution of touching the post, and then the technical demands of the middle save reactions. It’s a good example of how middle save training can be combined with cognitive demands that simulate game conditions.

As always, make sure your goalkeepers can perform the separated elements properly before combining them into this full drill.

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