Saves of Middle Shots From 9 Meters

Save reactions for middle shots from 9 meters are similar to save reactions of low shots from 9 meters 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.

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Understanding the Side Step Save Technique

The side step save technique involves the lateral push off step towards 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 / lower, and the reacting arm is positioned lower to cover the lower corner of the goal.  But for the save reactions for the middle shots from 9 meters, the goalkeeper needs to make a shorter side step and to position the reacting arm a little bit higher.

This is how a proper save reaction for saves of shots from 9 meters should look like:

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 towards the middle of the goal, goalkeepers have to adapt their saving technique slightly.

Here are a few 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 could be positioned in the middle height of the goal.

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. Goalkeeper’s arm should be fully extended while slightly bent (“locked”) in elbow, and ready to reach towards the ball. This position of the elbow is crucial because of the high possibility of sustaining an injury when reaching towards the ball with extended elbow, due to a very high power and impact of the ball. 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.

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 your 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.

Practice Reaction Speed and Anticipation

Saving middle shots from 9 meters distance 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 the hand-eye coordination. Studying shooters’ tendencies and patterns can also give you an edge in anticipating where the shot will go.

Cooperation With Defence

Whenever you start working on saves of high, middle or low shots from 9 meters, you should start including basic principles and elements of cooperation with defence. You want to teach your goalkeepers how to position themselves optimally, and how to cooperate with their defence in the best way, so that they don’t think that they have to protect the entire goal at all times. But to know that from certain shooting positions – we can have a cooperation / a deal with our defence, so that they can help us with 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 defence.

Mental Strength and Confidence

Finally, the psychological aspect of making middle shots 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 – handball goalkeeping is as much about mental strength as it is about physical skills.

Conclusion

Saving middle shots from 9 meters distance is a skill that represents the balance between proper positioning, cooperation with defence, reading opponents movements, agility, precision, and mental toughness. Remember, every shot saved is a step closer to victory, and every game is an opportunity to excel and grow, both as a goalkeeper and as a person. Keep pushing your limits, and always aim to reach higher!

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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 the vestibular stimulation and balance challenge with a 180 degree jump turn, after which a goalkeeper needs to see and process fast which arm did one of the two other goalkeepers lift up, and then based on that – touch the opposite side post, and then react to a few alternating sides of middle shots.