Staying at the line on short corners

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[Grim_D]

Have recently seen a lot more keepers taking a different attitude to s/corners; staying much deeper and not moving out to challenge. Along with only taking only a single step out, the keepers seem to delay their move off from behind the line, on the injection, so that they 'arrive later'; moving out with the shot, rather than stepping out to challenge the shooter. It seems to be pretty popular in the Dutch coaching, with Jaap Stockman and Pirmin Blaak doing a lot, especially in the EHL using it.

I take it the theory behind it is that by staying deeper, you , so you have slightly more time to work with reaction times in reacting to the flick as it comes in on goal. As well as a change in play, if that occurs. This seems like a reasonable justification, as when facing a really fast drag flick (ie Taekema, Abbas), you have that time differential, if not much, as an advantage when trying to stop the ball - work out where it's headed, decide how to deal with it, then save...

I can see the point when facing a passing play around the D, rather than a straight shot/flick on goal, as you cannot move to deal with the change of angle; leaving space behind you as you step out. This would also work better on a tip/deflection, especially to the near post, as you have less room to cover when moving across.

A bit disadvantageous in that you don't have much time to set your stance (problem of balancing the save), or yourself mentally to deal with the incoming shot...

This corner at around 2:40 is a good example, with Stockman delaying the move out, only taking a step forward, and then staying very deep at the line:

I have always been told against the chances of a flick on corners, to step out; challenge out to cut down space, look big, spread out etc and do your best to reduce the scoring chance. This seems to do the opposite, as you are further back and away from the ball, having to react more, instead of controlling the situation.

Any thoughts?

[Ninja GK]

Looks like this technique gives a lot of goal to shoot at. I prefer to move up and reduce the the shooting angles - force a wider shot.

[Len]

One of the reasons he missed the save was because of how deep he was.
If he had come out a few more paces the angle would have been cut down which would have made the save much easier.

[AndyGaut]

theoretically its to give you more time to react to the faster dragflicker i.e. Abbas, Taekema.

Problem is some teams adapt to it and it leaves you routed to the spot!

[Freebird]

I can see it being advantageous if you are 100% certain there is going to be a dragflick, but otherwise you're leaving yourself very open to straight shots.

[The Camel]

Sorry, tell me again what Jaap is doing that's different?

[AndyGaut]

I didn't watch the video on my first post. Have now, Camel is this the standard for dealing with drag flicks?

[The Camel]

I think a better example of what Grim is talking about is the English keeper at the recent Hamburg Masters/Australia V England series in Nottingham. He was barely a foot off the line. Something different but I'm not sure it worked for him.

[Rutter]

The guy who was standing at the other end of the pitch was going on about that to me earlier this year. Apparently he defended shorts routed to the line and wasn't a particularly big chap either...... Ahh....you're not talking about the Over 40's 


I can't say I agree with it as a tactic, although it helps if you are expecting a large lateral move from the tower rather than the direct shot/flick

[MrVaepOr]

EHL European Hockey League?, man you guys get great coverage here in New Zealand we hardley get International Coverage

[Freebird]

I think a better example of what Grim is talking about is the English keeper at the recent Hamburg Masters/Australia V England series in Nottingham. He was barely a foot off the line. Something different but I'm not sure it worked for him.

Was that the 1st or 2nd game. In the first game it was George Pinner in goal, and I think he let in 5 goals, all short corners, or just about.

[Grim_D]

Sorry, tell me again what Jaap is doing that's different?

Staying a lot deeper than usual. Most keepers would step out a couple or more feet further to challenge the flick, whereas being rooted to the line reduces the chances of a save and opens up more space to shoot into, I would've thought. On a straight flick/strike, you're not challenging the angles competitively for an easier save..

This clip, for example, has a lot of keepers stepping out to challenge the corner:

the English keeper at the recent Hamburg Masters/Australia V England series in Nottingham. He was barely a foot off the line. Something different but I'm not sure it worked for him.

For the Hamburg Masters, it was George Pinner in goal. James Fair had broken his toe, so he was brought into the squad. Richard Potton (EG reserve) was brought up to back up as no 2, but didn't play a single game (seemingly not many options - Bristow doing his final exams etc.).

This is a good clip showing Pinner, from the Hamburg Masters game between England and Germany. If you watch the s/ corners at 1:48 and 2:52 playing time, you should be able to see what he's doing, and the difference in technique.

On the short corners, Pinner takes ages to move out of goal, from behind the line, on the injection (instead of quickly running/striding out), and then only stays at the goal line. He basically stands right at the line, rather than making an effort to step out and challenge. Like Camel said, it doesn't seem to work for him as he tends to miss the ball despite playing it so he can react later.

Maybe it's Sparta (the UK coaching company) who coaches Pinner, that is encouraging this style in his play?


Bad quality video, but this is James Fair (for the England side) playing the short corner at the line:

Fransisco Cortes, Spain no 1 and Club Egara keeper, (also in the video - for Spain) in contrast mixes it up; often stepping a bit further out to challenge, but plays a pure reflex style anyway.

[silky]

With the Pinner clipp from the German masters, notice on the first one (bottom right) how he just lets his legs collapse and he fails to get his head over the ball, arguably because he hasnt pick the flick, how would standing further forward help in the slightest??

Everyone has their own technique, I don't think this is new. Standing ON the goaline might be considered defensive but only a step off is normal IMHO.

[DoubleR]

Pinner is a much bigger lad than Cortes and maybe doesn't feel the need to step further out....

Like everything, this is probably personal preference.  I have my spot to go to for defending PCs and if any coach at my club or any other coach I respect suggests something different I'll give it a go in training and see what works for me.  We're all different shapes and sizes with different reflexes and different strengths, there is no rule of thumb. 

Grim I would suggest you try and get in touch with Panda at Spartan hockey and ask him the question.  His answer could be quite complicated or could be "because that's how George wants to do it".  Pinner is a top drawer keeper and to hold his place in Beeston's 1s and now get his chance in the net for England shows that the guy thinks about his game and works hard on it - Hamburg Masters' looks like a very bad day at the office for him.