General comment

In this drill, the goalkeeper moves through the 5 offensive positions. Since the positions are close, it does not take much movement, and the shift from one position to another is performed with a simple paddle of the hand that is further from where we want to get. 

The other hand, closer to where we are heading, has to be free and ready to block a potential shot. When we move this hand, we have to twist the trunk in order to face the body in the direction where we want to get. 

Important

Since all 5 positions are very close, it is important that the goalie maintains the base position all time.

Tip by Dani Pinedo

"If the passes are short, we have to avoid using the arms to much and always face the player with the ball as fast as possible."

General comment

These slides follow the shape of a triangle. The slide starts in the wings (1-5) and ends in the point position (3). In this movement we have to seek the maximum speed to get from one point to the other and, at the same time, maintain the base position to be able to block in time. 

Pinedo makes a fast diagonal slide with the hand closest to where he is going. After the slide, it is key to make an explosive movement over the hip, recover the knees and get back to the goalie base position (or 4 position).

Tip by Dani Pinedo

"Since chances are high that the shot goes to the short post, the hand closer to the short post must be 'available' for a fast block."

General comment

The distance between positions 2 and 4 (also known as drivers or flats) is long considering the cage, so the explosiveness of the first slide and the subsequent over the hip movement to recover the vertical position is key. The more horizontal is the goalkeeper's body when sliding, the fastest will reach the other position, but of course it will be very important the final explosive abdominal work to recover the base position.

Important

This is one of the key movements for goalies, since the passes between positions 2 and 4 are very common and is usually where the shots come from.

Tip by Dani Pinedo

"Keep in mind that the pass from positions 2 to 4 or from 4 to 2 is usually a straight and fast pass, thus if you do not move very fast, you will be late for the block."

General comment

In this case, the distance between positions 1-2 and 4-5 is short, so there is almost no need for the goalie to lose the vertical position while sliding. The hands should remain on the surface all the time ready to block. 

When changing the side, the slide should start with the hand closest to the other side, with the goalkeeper in a diagonal position ready to recover at the end with abdominal work and get back to the base position.

Tip by Dani Pinedo

"Here we need to cover the short post by steping a little into the cage when the ball travels to the wing, whereas we have to move out of the crossbar when the ball is in position 2 or 4. This slide is very common in six on five."

General comment

Keep in mind that in the wing-driver short slide, the base position must be maintained with the hands always close to the waterline. When changing sides with the jump, from the flat position (2 or 4) to the opposite wing (5 or 1), we have to imagine that there is a pass going to the other side with a player ready to shoot.

In that case, the goalkeeper will have to change the position of the body (trunk) and rotate towards the opposite wing very explosively. After, lunge with one hand out of the water, using the other hand to gather momentum, so that the hand that is out of the water can reach the other side with chances to block a shot. 

Tip by Dani Pinedo

"It is very important to move fast and with the hand that has to go out of the water unoccupied. It is very important to anticipate to what the opponents will do. Here we have to imagine that the offense is trying to move the ball in one of the wings to after completely pass the ball to the other side and catch the goalie by surprise." 

General comment

This is the longest slide a goalkeeper has to cover in a game. The "rules" we have described above gain importance here. The longer is the slide, the more horizontal the body will be, in order to go further. Therefore, more important and explosive will have to be the over the hip move to recover verticality (base position).

We insist that the slide has to be oriented to the position we want to go, making a previous trunk rotation, quickly linking with the start of the sliding movement.

Tip by Dani Pinedo

"It is the slide that requires the most leg strength. The movement should be as explosive and coordinated as possible."

General comment

This slide is very common in six on five situations, especially because of the importance of the positions involved: the 2 wings (1-5) and 2 perimeter players (2-4).

This kind of slide will require a very long movement by the goalie, with a very horizontal body position to go further. After the slide, as pointed out in previows drills, recover the base position is key to be ready for the next movement. 

Tip by Dani Pinedo

"My advice here is to lightly touch the post after the slide and quickly recover the base position, ready to block."

General comment

In a man down situation, the slide will be a little shorter than in a six on six regular offense play. Anyways, it is important to seek the maximum explosiveness in the trunk twist prior to the slide to reach the other wing, moving over the hip to return to the base position.

Tip by Dani Pinedo

"During a six on five situation, goalies must use the hands as little as possible for support, as they have to be always ready for a shot that will be quick and close."