LATERAL DIVES

Dives are specific technical actions to stop shots that are beyond the Goalkeeper’s direct reach. They can be described as lateral, frontal, and posterior depending on their direction. Here, we will deal with lateral dives, those that are directed to the side.

In this category of dives, we may distinguish among low, medium, and high dives.  Low dives are used to stop shots that are below the middle of the thigh or even knee. Such shots are very low or along (that is, flush) to the ground and the general trajectory of the Goalkeeper’s center of gravity in executing a low dive will be down and horizontal.   We call low dives to stop very low shots drag dives, because the body is dragged along the ground. Medium and high dives are executed to intercept shots above the middle of the thigh, so that the center of gravity travels predominantly horizontally (between the middle of the thigh and the chest for medium-height shots) or upwards (above the chest for high shots).

Goalkeeper body heights that define low, medium, and high high lateral dives, depending on the required displacement of the Goalkeeper’s center of gravity.

In general, dives begin with knee flexion of the leg farthest from the ball, simultaneously with taking a step with the leg closest to the ball, by flexing the knee and hip and with the foot pointing towards the direction in which the dive will be performed. Takeoff occurs by extension of the back and the leg nearest the ball, as well as plantar flexion of the foot of the same leg; at the same time, both hands move directly towards the ball.

 Continuous sequence of a low dive (drag). B. Isolated sequence to distinguish the key positions in its execution: set position, lateral step, thrust and drag itself.

Above, continuous high dive sequence. Below, isolated sequence to distinguish the key positions in its execution: a, pre-action position; b, lateral step; c, take off; d, upward dive phase; e, moment of interception of the ball; downward dive phase; g, landing.

For low shots that are relatively close to the body, and or with a speed that does not allow performing a lateral step, a particular type of low dive that we call collapse or sweep is executed.

The technique involves directing the hands quickly towards the ball, while the leg closest to it performs a pendulum movement in front of the support leg; that is, it “sweeps” in front of the support leg.

 Sweep Sequence from the set position to the interception of the ball. The arms are directed towards the ball while the leg near it performs a pendulum movement in front of the support leg.

In the Applied Science Section we will provide the biomechanical foundations for each of these actions.