Near Post

Near Post Follow-Up

Here's another college-bound GK who's over-committed to the front post.  Yup, he makes the save, but with his foot for two reasons: he's not set so his weight isn't balanced right so the kick save is the easiest option, and, two, he's gone too far past the shooter's line, so instead of scooping up an easy save with his hands, he kick saves, and risks rebounds as well as being on his backside in a difficult position to recover from.

It's good athleticism that gets him so far across the goal, and he does well to keep the rebound very small so he can gather it, but while the spectators all think it's awesome, we can certainly ask for cleaner and better from this guy.  He's got tons of tools, but the most important one is the brain; read the angle at which the attacker is running (not toward goal!); know where he's located inside the six and the resulting portion of the goal covered; know where shooters want to shoot; preserve his athleticism for as long as possible and maximize his ability to make a technical play versus an athletic one.