THE LOW SET POSITION

We previously described the set or ready position posture as the correct posture to adopt before starting a defensive action, noting that the goalkeeper’s posture must be modified depending on the distance to the ball.

In a game situation when a rival player prepares to shoot from a few meters outside the penalty box, the goalkeeper adopts the set position already described: legs semi-flexed, feet separated about hip width apart and heels slightly elevated, upper body slightly forward, arms at side with elbows semi-flexed, hands in front of body at waist level, with palms 45º from the ground.

Let’s consider that a rival enters the box, getting away from his mark, and with the ball dominated on the ground, or that he receives it one or two meters inside the area; that is, at a distance of approximately 15 meters from the goalkeeper. In both cases, a short shot or a 1 vs 1 situation occurs and the goalkeeper shortens the distance by advancing one or two short steps and modifies the set posture to a low posture, which we characterized by:

1. Hips and knees more flexed.
2. Upper body more inclined forward.
3. Arms and hands extended to the sides of the body, with the palms of the hands palms facing forward.
4. The support on the ground concentrates on the anterior part of the sole and the toes.

The more flexed the posture is, the closer the to the ground the body is and shifts the center of gravity lower than in the set posture, while the upper body’s tilt  makes the body move forward. For this reason, the weight loading concentrates on the anterior part of the sole and the toes and there is a significant activation of the muscles and tendons of the legs and feet. The hands in a low positions and facing the ball favor a possible catch or deflection, since an upward movement of the arms and hands is easier and faster than one downward.

In the game situations described, the proximity of the ball requires quick executions, but if the goalkeeper is well located spatially, the risk is concentrated in closer areas, making his task easier. If the play becomes a 1vs1 situation, the goalkeeper can perform different actions to neutralize the danger, which we will discuss in another note.

We acknowledge Camilo Benzi of York9, Canada, for assisting us with the English version of this article.