A reliable futsal goalkeeper must master these 5 basic techniques

The role of goalkeepers is often underestimated because they are not always actively involved in the team's strategy to score. In fact, the journey to become a great goalkeeper of Manuel Neuer caliber is not easy. Goalkeepers are "pawns" who are easily injured if they do not train agility and how to drop themselves properly. Check out the following guidelines to hone your skills as a reliable futsal goalkeeper in the field.

The basic skills of keeping the goal that must be mastered by a futsal goalkeeper

Here are some of the basic skills that a futsal goalkeeper must master to defend the goal from the opposing team's attacks, as well as how to hone them.

1. Reflex exercises

Having quick reflexes is the most important quality a goalkeeper must have. Bad reflexes are like jumping into the water when you can't swim. But reflexes can be trained and sharpened with regular practice

One of the tips to hone futsal goalkeeper reflexes is to ask two strikers (A and B) from your team to take turns shooting the ball at your goal. Ask player A to shoot the ball supply from the semi-circular area outside the penalty box and player B to kick the ball from the penalty spot. Player B must kneel with his back to the goal, facing player A.

Ask player A to kick the ball half-volley towards player B. Player B must use his hand to parry the ball. Your job as a goalkeeper is to react as quickly as possible to changes in the direction of the ball so as not to concede. Do this exercise technique for 3-5 sets of reps, with each set "contains" six shots.

This practice improves your ability to anticipate and react to deflected shots so you are ready to change direction at speed and save time as the game progresses.

2. Protect all corners

To become a reliable futsal goalkeeper, you need to know how to protect every corner of the goal. That means, the closer your opponent is to entering your territory, the harder it will be for them to break into your goal. If the opposing player runs straight toward you, don't stand on the goal line. When your opponent kicks the ball into your box from 10 meters away, you must try to catch or hit the ball. Or, wait for your team to grab the ball or throw it away.

You can dash towards them to challenge their guts. However, don't jump to the ground too quickly to catch the ball. Cunning opponents will wait for your off guard and make recklessness like this to make it easier to pry the ball past you. One good strategy you can use is to wait for your opponent to make his first move and then dive right in to grab the ball.

During practice, make two small wickets with a cone on each side. Ask two strikers to stand 5 meters in front of each of these temporary goals with the ball in stock. Ask your coach to stand between the two strikers and point at the player he wants to shoot the ball on to the goal.

You react as readily as possible following where and where the ball is shot - but the coach can change your mind and immediately point to another server instead, forcing you to change course quickly. You may have to dive to make a save, strike the ball as far as you can, or parry with your hands. Perform this exercise technique for 3-5 sets of reps, with each set "contains" 8 shots.

3. Drive the ball

This point more or less plays an important role in determining whether your team loses or wins. Reporting from Four Four Two, key tips from Andrew Sparkes, the following Swansea City football academy goalkeeping coach, can help you get the agility, reaction speed and agility to save the goal from the opponent's ball shot. Listen carefully, yes!

Position player A 5 meters in front of the goal with two balls, then ask player B to stand on the byline, 6 meters from the nearest post, with 1 ball. Ask player A to shoot the low ball so you can catch it. You will then need to get up quickly to prepare for Player A's next shot, which is a powerful medium / high hull shot. The third ball is then passed by player B from the byline to player A, so that player A can shoot on goal.

Your job as a futsal goalkeeper is to react as quickly as possible to these changes in ball flow.

4. Dropping yourself off

One of the most important things for a goalkeeper is his flopping skills. With the right technique, you will be much less likely to get injured.

Skills can be honed by placing the ball 5 meters in front of the goal, still in the penalty box. After that place your hands on the far post, take two steps to the side and drop yourself towards the ball. This will get you in a position to attack the ball and learn to drop properly.

When you feel comfortable with this move, add more balls for you to jump on, and a variety of other ball saves. Once one side is comfortable, move on to the other side and drop yourself another way.

5. Catch the ball

Catching the ball correctly and safely will prevent the ball from bouncing, which can be a golden opportunity for your opponent to attack again.

Ask one player to kick the ball at you. Then make sure the position of the hand resembles the letter "W", so that the position of the hand is always ready to catch the ball correctly. Once caught, place the ball on your chest in a hugging position. For horizontal shots, you need to be more active to drop your arms and then pull them toward your chest to get back to securing the ball.