FOOTBALL GAME, TRAINING CONTEXTUALIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF THE GOALKEEPER'S TECHNIQUE

We previously pointed out that Sports Performance Optimization (SPO) (http://cefarq.com.ar/en/the-optimization-of-the-goalkeepers-performance-an-integrative-approach/) is an integrative approach that guides the goalkeeper’s training process and includes designing training exercises game situations contextualized . Contextualization of Specific Isolated Training (SIT) – that carried out exclusively with the goalkeepers, without the presence of the other teammates, and sometimes in different spaces of the training field – implies generating an environment as real as possible through the demarcation of spaces, representing variants of game situations, and different execution times. Thus, the coach can intervene in the behavior of the goalkeeper; for example, guiding the choice of appropriate positions and repositioning, depending on the circumstances (http://cefarq.com.ar/en/words-from-founder-and-director-specific-training-of-the-goalkeeper-contextualizing-the-sessions/). Due to its integrative nature, the SPO does not neglect the notion of technique as a resolution tool in the game (http://cefarq.com.ar/en/words-from-founder-and-director/).

We can exemplify this point, analyzing the action of the legs during lateral dives. As we have described in other notes (http://cefarq.com.ar/en/lateral-dives/; http://cefarq.com.ar/en/dive-biomechanics/), in general, lateral dives begin with a flexion of the knee of the leg farthest from the ball (contralateral), almost simultaneously with the execution of a step with the leg closest to the ball (ipsilateral) towards the ball, ending with the extension of this leg. For shoots close to the body and with a speed that does not allow the complete execution of the step, an inside step technique can be executed -the foot of the ipsilateral leg pushes inside the initial supports-, or collapse or sweeping technique – the ipsilateral leg makes a pendulum movement in front of the contralateral leg without pushing on the ground.

An extreme purist approach could condition the Coach to interpret that when the ball is directed to areas relatively far from the goalkeeper, a lateral dive without driving off with the ipsilateral leg would be technically incorrect and, therefore, potentially ineffective and inefficient. However, during the game and contextualized training, circumstances may arise where, given the short execution time available, the goalkeeper resolves (or tries to resolve) relatively far shots without driving off with the ipsilateral leg. Understanding the basic principles of physics and biomechanics underlying the technique (http://cefarq.com.ar/en/687-2/; http://cefarq.com.ar/en/dive-biomechanics/) justify this type of execution in these circumstances, since it has been empirically shown that while the ipsilateral leg generates more push at the end of the action, the contralateral leg is the first to act, does so for longer and gives a greater total contribution to the thrust (http://cefarq.com.ar/en/incidence-of-the-contralateral-leg-push-for-side-dives/). Given that speed is a highly valued variable in today’s football, this suggests that the thrust with the contralateral leg during lateral dives should be considered as an unavoidable part of a complex technique or even of a technique in itself, whose application is necessary in certain circumstances, and not simply a “remedy”.

We have already expressed that football is a situational sport in which reigns uncertainty, there are no fixed resolutions to the possible variables, and that the technique is directed to make the goalkeeper’s action as efficient and effective as (http://cefarq.com.ar/en/the-optimization-of-the-goalkeepers-performance-an-integrative-approach/; http://cefarq.com.ar/en/words-from-founder-and-director/). In this context, in addition to intervention on the goalkeeper’s behaviors, contextualizing training should guide Goalkeeper’s Coach in the specific technical observations during the sessions and in the design of more analytical exercises.