The Importance of Proper Basic Technique

When working with young goalkeepers, the importance of proper basic technique is immeasurable.

The role of a handball goalkeeper is one of immense pressure and responsibility, requiring not just physical agility and strength but also mental resilience and technical prowess. At the core of a successful goalkeeper’s skill set lies the mastery of proper basic techniques.

I am always speechless in front of the beauty and flow of human movement! Especially when it comes to the movement which is an expression of technique of any given sport.

The whole process is quite amazing: the preciseness with which our brain perceives the input – which, in handball goalkeeping, is a visual stimuli and then the efficiency and speed of information processing / decision making, and in the end the output – which is the movement or save reaction!

You can (and you should) work on all these aspects with your goalkeepers (visual input, information processing and output), while at the same time teaching them principles of “proper” basic technique.

The reason why we want to start with teaching our young goalkeepers the proper basic technique is because of the efficiency and speed of movement, but also because of the prevention of potential injuries that wrongly performed technique can cause.

Now, does this mean that you are going to be extremely strict about the proper technique and overload + overwhelm your young goalkeepers with all 734 important details while they are learning the movements? No, it doesn’t! There are more simple and more efficient ways to do it!

In this video you can see an amazing exercise that will help you work on strength of the push off step that is needed for saves of high shots. The same exercise can be done in many different options, also including shooting, of course. Just be careful to not do it with too young / physically incapable goalkeepers to execute such a demanding movement.

This exercise is also great when you want to “isolate” the movement and work on saves of high shots – when working on the side push off step.

Why is Proper Technique Important When Working With Young Goalkeepers?

Proper basic technique in handball goalkeeping encompasses a wide range of skills, including basic stance, footwork, lateral movement, positioning, saving reactions, bringing ball back into the game, etc. These are the building blocks upon which all advanced skills and strategies are developed. Like the foundation of a house, they must be solid, reliable, and well-constructed to support the complexities of top-level performance.

Training for proper basic technique begins with focused drills and exercises that isolate specific movements and skills. Coaches play a crucial role in this process, providing feedback, making adjustments, and ensuring that each goalkeeper’s technique element is correct and efficient. Repetition is key – through continuous practice, goalkeepers can internalize these movements, making them instinctive responses during game situations.

Improved Performance Efficiency

Mastering the basic technique allows goalkeepers to perform their goalkeeping tasks with better efficiency and effectiveness. Proper stance and footwork improve balance and agility, enabling quick and explosive movements in response to incoming shots. Efficient catching techniques minimize the risk of mistakes, ensuring that saves are not just a coincidence, but a sure thing. By focusing on these fundamental things, goalkeepers can improve their overall performance in the goal.

Injury Prevention

Correct technique is also very important for injury prevention. Handball goalkeeping involves a range of high-impact and repetitive movements. Without proper form, these actions can lead to chronic injuries or acute damage. 

Adaptability and Growth

A solid foundation in basic technique provides a platform for adaptability and growth. As goalkeepers progress in their careers, they will encounter new challenges and need to learn advanced skills. A strong grasp of the fundamentals of the basic technique makes it easier to adapt these skills to their repertoire, ensuring continuous development and improvement.

Mental Confidence

There is also a significant psychological aspect to mastering basic technique. Goalkeepers who are confident in their foundational skills show greater mental resilience and self-assurance on the court. This confidence allows them to face opponents fearlessly, make decisive movements, and recover quickly from mistakes.

Beyond the Basics

While the focus on basic technique is essential, it’s also important to remember that this is just the starting point. Advanced skills, tactical understanding of the game, and mental training are also critical components of a goalkeeper’s development. However, without a solid foundation, these additional skills cannot be fully realized or effectively employed.

Splitting the Entire Movement of Technique into More Simple Parts

How to split the entire movement in more simple parts is one of the most important things we need to know and to include when working with young goalkeepers! 🙂 You need to learn how to break down and simplify all movements and how to work on them with your goalkeepers step by step.

One of the ways to learn this in a relaxed and supportive environment is in my Level 1 Video Course for handball coaches!

I do honestly love my video course, because I poured my heart, brain and soul in creating it.

Feedback for my Level 1 Video Course

There are many coaches who were kind enough to give me feedback after working with me online or in person, and here is one of them:

“After struggling for 15 years in my coaching work when it comes to goalkeeper training, because I just didn’t understand the technique and movements. Now I finally feel empowered and confident that I have understanding about how the basic save movements should look like, how I can split the whole movement and work on it. I understand what are the most common mistakes and how I can work with my goalkeeper on correcting them. Another amazing aspect that I never thought about before, but I got it with your online course is that now I know about some very important things and details about goalkeeping that I can deliver verbally to my young goalkeepers. I can help them feel more motivated and inspired to stay in their playing position! The value I’ve got from your course is incomparable to any other course that I took about goalkeeping.” – J.S.

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Here you can find my online video courses: Level 1 Video Course for Coaches; Level 2 Video Course for Coaches; Sliding Technique Video Course and Agility Ladder Drills Video Collection with 102 drills.

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