Step Forward in Saves of 6-Meter Line Shots

Before attempting to save, goalkeepers first need to make the step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots toward the shooter, whether it’s a line player (pivot) or a breakthrough shot. The reason for stepping forward is to shorten the shooting angle and increase the chance of saving the goal.

The most important thing when it comes to the step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots is timing. This is often easier said than done. But coaches should take significant time to work with their goalkeepers on this aspect of close-range saves.

Before reading this article, please check out this foundational piece: Saves of 6-Meter Line Shots.

In my work, I like to test which leg is the goalkeeper’s dominant leg in stepping forward, because that tells me if a goalkeeper has a “preferred” leg to step forward with, regardless of which position the shot comes from. This is very important, because when we analyze young goalkeepers, we realize that the majority of them have “favorite” or preferred ways to position and react to most shots. Very often, young goalkeepers will not make a distinction between positioning and reactions on 6-meter versus 9-meter shots, making themselves more vulnerable in the goal and more predictable for shooters.

Key Takeaways

• The step forward shortens the shooting angle – Before attempting any save reaction on 6-meter line shots, goalkeepers must first move toward the shooter. This forward movement reduces the available goal space for the shooter and increases the goalkeeper’s chances of making a save.
• Timing is the most critical element – Stepping forward too early invites lob shots and trick shots. Stepping forward too late leaves too much open goal. Coaches should dedicate significant training time specifically to developing proper timing for this movement.
• Most young goalkeepers have a dominant stepping leg – Testing which leg your goalkeeper naturally prefers to step forward with reveals important information about potential weaknesses. Training both legs equally creates a more unpredictable and effective goalkeeper.
• The step forward must end in a stable basic stance – After completing the forward movement, goalkeepers should maintain proper positioning with arms wide and weight balanced. Leaning too far forward or backward after stepping compromises the subsequent save reaction.
• Progressive training builds confidence and skill – Starting with footwork drills without the ball, then adding decided shots, then combining heights and directions, and finally introducing free shooting creates a solid foundation that transfers to game situations.

Why the Step Forward in Saves of 6-Meter Line Shots Matters

Understanding why the step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots is so essential helps both coaches and goalkeepers commit to the training required to master it. The physics are straightforward: the closer the goalkeeper gets to the shooter, the smaller the visible goal becomes from the shooter’s perspective.

When a goalkeeper stays on the goal line during a 6-meter shot, the shooter sees almost the entire goal as a target. Every corner is accessible. The goalkeeper must cover a massive area with their body and reactions alone.

When that same goalkeeper takes even one explosive step forward, the geometry changes dramatically. The shooter’s available angles shrink. Shots that would have found the corners now hit the goalkeeper’s body. Low shots become more difficult because the goalkeeper’s legs are closer. High shots require more lift to clear the approaching goalkeeper.

This isn’t just theoretical. Watch any elite handball match and pay attention to what the goalkeepers do when the ball goes to the pivot. They move forward. Every time. Because at the highest levels, staying back on the goal line against close-range shots simply doesn’t work.

The challenge is that stepping forward incorrectly creates problems too. Step forward too early, and shooters will lob the ball over your head or use a screw shot around your body. Step forward with poor balance, and you won’t be able to react to wherever the shot actually goes. Step forward without proper technique, and you waste the advantage you’re trying to create.

This is why mastering the step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots requires dedicated training time, not just a short mention during shooting drills.

The Critical Role of Timing

Timing separates effective forward movement from wasted motion. A perfectly executed step forward at the wrong moment actually makes saving the shot harder, not easier.

The optimal timing window is narrow. Goalkeepers should initiate their forward movement as the shooter commits to their shooting action. This means reading the moment when the shooter’s arm is coming forward and they can no longer easily adjust to a lob or trick shot. Moving at this precise moment gives the goalkeeper maximum angle reduction while minimizing vulnerability to deceptive shots.

Moving too early is the more common mistake among young goalkeepers. They see the pivot receive the ball and immediately move forward, eager to close the angle. Experienced shooters recognize this pattern and simply wait a fraction of a second longer before releasing a lob shot over the goalkeeper’s head. Or they use the goalkeeper’s forward momentum against them with a screw shot that curves around the committed goalkeeper.

Moving too late means the step forward provides minimal benefit. The shot is already on its way before the goalkeeper has closed any meaningful distance. At that point, the goalkeeper might as well have stayed on the goal line.

Teaching proper timing for the step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots requires patience and repetition. Coaches should create drills that specifically isolate the timing element, helping goalkeepers develop an instinctive feel for when to initiate their movement.

Understanding Dominant and Non-Dominant Legs

Most goalkeepers naturally favor one leg for stepping forward. This isn’t a problem in itself, but it becomes a problem when that preference is so strong that the goalkeeper struggles to step effectively also with their other leg.

Think about what happens during a game. The pivot receives the ball on the goalkeeper’s left side and turns to shoot. If the goalkeeper has a habit to step forward only with their right leg, and if they can only step forward explosively with their right leg, they’re at a disadvantage. They either have to use their “weaker”, non-dominant leg anyway, or they have to adjust their body position in a way that wastes time and creates openings.

I always test my goalkeepers to identify their dominant stepping leg, so that we could practice working on their non-dominant leg in step forward as well. After realizing what their dominant leg is, you can set up situations and drills that require stepping forward with the other leg and you can observe the difference in speed, balance, and comfort.

Once you know which leg is dominant, you can design training that addresses the imbalance. This doesn’t mean abandoning the stronger leg. It means bringing the weaker leg up to a functional level so the goalkeeper has options in any situation.

Training the non-dominant leg in the step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots often feels awkward at first. Goalkeepers may resist it because their dominant leg feels so much more natural. But this resistance is exactly why the training matters. Game situations won’t always allow goalkeepers to use their preferred leg, so both legs need to be reliable.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Working with goalkeepers across different levels, I see certain mistakes repeat themselves when it comes to the step forward. Recognizing these patterns helps coaches provide targeted corrections.

Dropping the arms during forward movement. Many goalkeepers let their arms drop toward their sides as they step forward, usually because they’re focused on their footwork and forget about their upper body. This significantly reduces their blocking surface at the moment they need it most. The correction: emphasize that the basic stance with arms wide and ready must be maintained throughout the entire forward movement. What the arms are doing matters just as much as what the legs are doing.

Leaning too far forward after stepping. Some goalkeepers end their forward step with their weight too far over their toes, leaning toward the shooter. This position looks aggressive but actually compromises their ability to react laterally. If the shot goes to either side, the goalkeeper can’t push off effectively because their weight is already committed forward. The correction: the step forward should end in a balanced, athletic position with weight centered, ready to move in any direction.

Taking too large of a step. In their enthusiasm to close the angle, some goalkeepers take one giant leap forward instead of a controlled, explosive step. This large movement often puts them off balance and takes too long to execute, meaning the shot arrives before they’re set. The step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots should be quick and controlled, covering appropriate distance without sacrificing stability.

Inconsistent stepping based on shot location. Some goalkeepers step forward aggressively when the pivot is on their strong side but hesitate or step weakly when the pivot is on their weak side. Shooters notice this pattern quickly and exploit it. The correction: design training that requires equal stepping quality to both sides, and use video review to help goalkeepers see their own inconsistencies.

Stepping at the wrong angle. The forward step should be directed toward the shooter’s shooting arm side, not straight ahead. Stepping straight ahead or toward the wrong side leaves more goal exposed than necessary. The correction: use visual markers during training to help goalkeepers understand the correct stepping angle for different shooter positions.

Training Progression for the Step Forward

Building competence in the step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots requires a thoughtful progression from simple to complex. Jumping straight to game-speed shooting before the fundamentals are solid creates bad habits that are difficult to correct later.

Stage 1: Footwork Without Ball

Start with exercises that isolate the forward stepping movement without any ball involved. Use cones, markers, or simply verbal cues to trigger the step. Focus entirely on the quality of movement: explosiveness, balance at the end, maintenance of proper arm position. Work both legs equally. Build repetitions until the movement feels natural and automatic.

Stage 2: Decided Straight Shots

Introduce shooting, but keep it completely predictable. The goalkeeper knows exactly where every shot is going. If you’re working on saves to the right side, every shot goes straight to the right corner. This allows the goalkeeper to connect their stepping movement with a save reaction without the cognitive load of reading the shooter. Focus on the combination: step forward, then save.

Stage 3: Varied Height, Same Direction

Keep shots going to the same side but vary the height. Now the goalkeeper must step forward and then quickly identify whether they need a high, middle, or low save reaction. The directional decision is still eliminated, but height recognition is added.

Stage 4: Cross Shots

Introduce shots to the back corner (cross shots). These require different positioning after the step forward. Work through the same progression: first decided cross shots at one height, then varied heights, then mixing straight and cross.

Stage 5: Free Shooting

Finally, remove all restrictions. The shooter chooses direction and height freely. The goalkeeper must execute the step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots while simultaneously reading the shooter’s intentions. This is where all the previous training comes together.

Stage 6: Active Defense

Add real defenders instead of passive “dummies”. Now the goalkeeper must deal with visual interference from moving bodies between them and the shooter. This is the closest simulation to actual game conditions.

Coaching Tips for Developing This Skill

Having worked with goalkeepers across many different levels and countries, I’ve collected observations about what helps the step forward training succeed.

Be patient with the progression – Coaches often want to jump to shooting exercises quickly because they’re more engaging for everyone. But time invested in basic fundamentals pays off significantly. A goalkeeper who has internalized the movement pattern through hundreds of non-shooting repetitions will perform better under pressure than one who has only practiced with the ball.

Use video feedback – Goalkeepers often don’t realize what their body is doing during the step forward. Recording training sessions and reviewing them together reveals issues that verbal coaching might miss. Show goalkeepers the difference between their dominant and non-dominant leg. Show them moments when their arms dropped or their balance was compromised.

Create variety in stimuli – Don’t always use the same cue to trigger the step forward. Sometimes use visual signals, sometimes audio, sometimes tactile. Game situations present unpredictable cues, so training should reflect that variety.

Connect stepping forward to anticipation – As goalkeepers become more advanced, help them understand that the step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots is not just a reactive movement. It can be partially anticipated based on how the ball is moving toward the pivot, the pivot’s body position, and the defensive situation. The physical step becomes more effective when paired with tactical reading of the play.

Don’t neglect conditioning. The explosiveness required for effective forward stepping depends on leg power and overall athletic conditioning. Include strength training and agility work that supports this specific movement pattern.

Connecting to Other Skills

The step forward doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s one element in a larger system of 6-meter line goalkeeping. Coaches should help goalkeepers see these connections.

The step forward creates the conditions for effective save reactions. Whether using the leg kick save reaction, the X-jump save reaction, or other techniques, the quality of the preceding step influences how well the save can be executed.

Proper basic stance enables explosive stepping. If the goalkeeper’s stance is too narrow, too wide, or poorly balanced before the step, the forward movement will be compromised. Everything connects.

Mental readiness matters as well. A goalkeeper who is focused and confident will step forward with commitment. A goalkeeper who is hesitant or distracted will step forward weakly, reducing the technique’s effectiveness. The psychological and physical elements reinforce each other.

Take Your Coaching Further with Level 2 Video Course

If you need help when working on the first step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots, you can get my Level 2 Video Course, where the main topics are saves of 6-meter line shots and wing shots.

Here are all the topics covered in my Level 2 Video Course:

• Saves of shots from 6-meter line: introduction
• Saves of shots from 6-meter line: the first step forward and proper positioning
• Saves of high, middle, and low shots from 6-meter line: introduction, theory, and save techniques in work with young goalkeepers
• Saves of wing shots: introduction, proper positioning, proper technique, theory
• Wing stance and understanding the difference between wing stance and basic stance
• Understanding the difference between small and big wing angles of shooting from wing positions
• Saves of high, middle, and low shots from the small wing angle of shooting
• Saves of high, middle, and low shots from the normal wing angle of shooting: theory and save techniques in work with young goalkeepers

You can get the Level 2 Video Course through this link.

Conclusion

Mastering the step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots transforms a goalkeeper’s effectiveness against close-range shooting. This fundamental movement shortens angles, reduces shooter options, and creates the conditions for successful save reactions.

The keys are timing, balance, and training both legs to perform equally well. Coaches who invest time in progressive skill development, moving from footwork to decided shots to free shooting, build goalkeepers who can execute this movement instinctively under game pressure.

Remember: every elite goalkeeper steps forward against 6-meter shots. It’s not optional at the highest levels. The question is whether your goalkeeper will do it with proper technique, proper timing, and proper confidence, and that comes down to how you train it.

Below you can find some of the video drills for working on the first step forward.

Video – Exercise For Practicing The First Step Forward

In the video below, you can see two options of one of the many exercises you can use for practicing the first step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots.

Both options of the exercise can also be used as additional footwork in the warm up, depending on what you want to work on in your training.

The first option is done in fast rhythm, reacting on each pair of cones as fast as possible and positioning in a stable and proper basic stance after kicking the cones forward.

In the second option, the goalkeeper reacts on each pair of cones after receiving an audio stimulus from the coach.

In both options, the first starting leg in the step forward can be free choice or it can be pre-decided and agreed whether it’s left or right.

I like to work on a decided option, for example, first starting with the left leg for the whole round and then in the next round reacting first with the right leg. In my opinion, it’s always good to work on the goalkeeper’s non-dominant leg in the first step forward.

The main goal of both options of this exercise is to work on faster and more agile reaction in the step forward when reacting on 6-meter line shots. Besides that, the main focus should always be on keeping proper basic stance before, during, and after the reaction on each pair of cones, meaning not pulling arms down. After kicking the cones forward, the goalkeeper should not be unstable in the basic stance (leaning forward or backwards) but should aim to keep proper and balanced positioning.

You can be creative with this exercise. You can change the distance from the goal line, change the order of the first reacting leg, alternate starting leg, change the order of reacting leg after every two cones. The goalkeeper can react on audio, visual, or tactile stimuli. Options are endless when you turn on your coaching creativity!

The distance from the goal line did not matter in the shown options in the video, since we worked on the dominant and non-dominant leg in the step forward and on more explosive and faster forward movement. It just depends what your selected goal is with the exercise.

After working on this exercise, goalkeepers are always able to make more explosive movement in that first step forward, and that’s exactly what I was going after in this specific case.

Video – Step Forward and Leg Kick Save Reaction For 6-Meter Line Shots

In this video, you can see one of the exercises that combines essential elements when it comes to reactions on shots from the 6-meter line: the step forward and the save reaction. In this particular exercise, we worked on the leg kick save reaction for middle height shots from the 6-meter line.

Going forward toward the shooter should be practiced with one step or with two steps. In both cases, forward movement is followed with a save reaction for high, middle, or low shots. You can work only on one saving technique, or you can combine different options and versions, depending on what you are working on.

In further steps of progression, when working on the step forward in saves of 6-meter line shots with young goalkeepers, we can also work on the step forward followed by correction of the supporting leg. That would basically be shifting body weight from the leg that stepped forward to the other leg by bringing it forward as well. Then the goalkeeper could make a save reaction (high, middle, or low) to either the left or right side.

In this exercise, I used two additional external loads because previously we had already done proper steps of progression until this version. External loads I used were: SKLZ resistance band (around the waist) and resistance bands for legs (above the knees). Both of these resistance bands add load, thus building power and speed of the movement, making it more explosive. This explosiveness is one of the main requirements for every goalkeeper in any save reaction on 6-meter shots.

Important advice: Please don’t do this version of the exercise without first making sure that your goalkeeper is physically and technically able to do it properly.

The save reaction used in this exercise for middle shots from short distance was the leg kick save reaction with corresponding arm movement. As explained in the video, the leg kick save reaction should be done in two phases: 1) external rotation and knee raise, and 2) knee extension with lower leg kick. Done this way, the reaction is faster and more explosive.

The most common mistake many goalkeepers make in this kind of save reaction is lifting a straight leg with the knee locked. To read more about the leg kick save reaction, please check out this article: Leg Kick Save Reaction.

Video – Shooting Exercises for Working on Step Forward in Saves of 6-Meter Shots

In this video, you can see shooting exercises and progression steps for working on proper stepping forward toward the shooter and proper save reactions for different kinds of shots from the 6-meter line, from pivot positions.

One of the most challenging things when working on saves of shots from the 6-meter line with young goalkeepers is getting them to understand the importance of stepping forward toward the shooter and understanding the proper timing for that movement.

Please keep in mind: if you are working with young goalkeepers, there are many exercises and steps of progression that need to be done before proceeding to shooting exercises like in this video. Make sure your goalkeeper first understands how, why, and when to make the step or steps forward toward the pivot. Also make sure they are familiar with different techniques for reactions on high, middle, and low shots from the 6-meter line.

Once your goalkeeper understands proper stepping forward toward the shooter, good timing for it, and how to react on different heights of shots, then you can proceed to shooting exercises.

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