Hockey Victoria Inc

ABN 66 215 250 461

Junior Advisory Group

Goalkeeper Trial – Technical Tests

By Keith Frampton

Requirements
For each set of goalkeepers to be tested the following is required:
1. At least 15 hockey balls
2. At least 4 cones or similar markers
3. At least 4 forwards
4. At least 1 scorer of the trials
5. At least 1 stopwatch

Trial 1 - Speed around course

Measurement
Average of two stopwatch timed runs (one run as first activity of testing session, second run as last activity in
testing session)

Description
1. Lying down, in goal, behind goal line
2. When go called by timer, sprint, forwards, to top of circle, directly in front of goal (marked by cone)
3. Side step to left along circle to back line
4. Sprint to goal, and lay down
5. Sprint, forwards, to top of circle, directly in front of goal (marked by cone)
6. Side step to right along circle to back line
7. Sprint to goal, and lay down (timer to stop and record time)

o---- o---- o---- o----

x x x x
Trial 2 - Hit + rebound

Measurement
Number of saves made by goalkeeper out of 10

Description
1. Forward “A” shoots the ball directly, that is no deflections, from top of circle at goalkeeper in ready
position (if first shot is not at goal shot is not counted and retaken)
2. Goalkeeper saves shot
3. Forwards “C” and “D” attempt to intercept any clearance/rebound and shoot ball into goal
4. Ball is ‘live’ until goalkeeper ‘clears’ ball
5. Repeat 5 times with Forward “A” taking initial shot
6. Repeat steps 1-5 with Forward “A” replaced by Forward “B”

GK

C D

A
B

Trial 3 – Kicking

Measurement
Total number of accurate kicks out of 12

Description
1. Roll ball to spot from top of circle (‘medium pace’)
2. Roller nominates foot (e.g. “left or “right”) and target side (e.g. “left” or “right”)
3. Goalkeeper kicks, using designated foot, to designated target on 22 metre line
4. Repeat 3 each foot/each side, 12 in all
5. Scoring is by foot side

GK

Roll
Trial 4 – One-on-one

Measurement
Number of saves made by goalkeeper out of 4

Description
1. Forward “A” starts from 22 metre line, goalkeeper from penalty spot
2. Observer calls “Go”, forwards heads towards goal to attempt to score
3. Goalkeeper attempts to save shot
4. Ball is ‘live’ until goalkeeper ‘clears’ ball
5. Repeat for Forwards “B”, “C”, “D”

GK

D, C, B, A
Trial 5 – Recovery across goal

Measurement
Number of saves made by goalkeeper out of 8

Description
Set-up:
• Forward A standing on circle line 45 degrees from back line to left of goals with 2 balls
• Forward B standing on circle line 60 degrees from back line to left of goals with 2 balls
• Forward C standing on circle line 60 degrees from back line to right of goals with 2 balls
• Forward D standing on circle line 45 degrees from back line to right of goals with 2 balls

1. Forward “A” hits 1 ball at goal

2. Goalkeeper saves or does not save shot (ball is immediately dead)
3. Forward “D” hits 1 ball at goal, with minimal time for goalkeeper to recovery from prior shot
4. Goalkeeper saves or does not save shot (ball is immediately dead)
5. Forward “B” hits 1 ball at goal, with minimal time for goalkeeper to recovery from prior shot
6. Goalkeeper saves or does not save shot (ball is immediately dead)
7. Forward “C” hits 1 ball at goal, with minimal time for goalkeeper to recovery from prior shot
8. Goalkeeper saves or does not save shot (ball is immediately dead)
9. Forward “A” hits 1 ball at goal, with minimal time for goalkeeper to recovery from prior shot
10. Goalkeeper saves or does not save shot (ball is immediately dead)
11. Forward “D” hits 1 ball at goal, with minimal time for goalkeeper to recovery from prior shot
12. Goalkeeper saves or does not save shot (ball is immediately dead)
13. Forward “B” hits 1 ball at goal, with minimal time for goalkeeper to recovery from prior shot
14. Goalkeeper saves or does not save shot (ball is immediately dead)
15. Forward “C” hits 1 ball at goal, with minimal time for goalkeeper to recovery from prior shot
16. Goalkeeper saves or does not save shot (ball is immediately dead)

GK

A.. D..
B.. C..
Ranking

The actual number of repetitions for each trial can vary according to the number of goalkeepers (GKs), time
available etc. After the scores are entered rank each GK in a specific trial against just the others in that trial,
with one being the best. (Don't have enough data for an absolute set of rankings and besides at each set of
trials the capabilities of the GKs may vary dramatically from year to year.) Then total those rankings for each
goalkeeper and rank the totals for an overall set of rankings. Combine this with specific observations and
things you are looking for in game situations, such as organising the defence, being pro-active, "presence" in
circle etc.

Definitions
• “Lying down” – both feet, both hands, and head touching ground at same time (determined
by observer, called only if not correct, goalkeeper must lay down again with stopwatch still
running)
• “Along circle” – both feet touching circle line when on the ground (determined by observer,
called only if not correct, goalkeeper must start from top of circle again with stopwatch still
running)
• “Shot” – hit/flick/slap/etc at goal by forward at any height
• “Live” – Forward can shoot ball at goal
• “Dead” – Forward can NOT shoot ball at goal
• “Clear” – ball over back line, foul committed by forward in circle, ball outside circle (except
for commencement if appropriate)
• “Goal” – the whole of the ball is over the goal line, or the goalkeeper deliberately commits a
foul or deliberately puts the ball over the back line
• “Target” – a set of two cones, 3 metres apart placed on 22 metre line, one set is placed 5
metres to the left of a line from the goal to the centre of the half line, the other set is placed
5 metres to the right of a line from the goal to the centre of the half line
• “Rank” – relative ranking of goalkeeper, for that trial only, to other goalkeepers participating
in trial
Scoring

Goalkeeper’s Name Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5

Run 1 Run 2 Avg Rank Saves Rank L R Total Rank Saves Rank Saves Rank
Goalkeeping Equipment
It is strongly recommended that clubs insure goalkeepers are fully kitted with correctly fitted
protective equipment appropriate to the age and size of the goalkeeper.

The following advice has been provided by VIS goalkeeping coach, Michelle Flouch, for your
guidance:

Strongly recommended Goalkeeping Equipment

Under 9, 11 and 13 – pads, kickers, gloves, chestguard, helmet with throat guard and for
boys, a box.

Helmets
Recommended helmet for small heads: OBO – Yahoo or the Bauer – MVP.
Helmets must have a chinstrap and fit firmly on the head. When the child runs or jumps
the helmet must not move up or down, or rotate on the head.

For all other age groups, it is strongly recommended that the goalkeeper wears padded
pants, arm guards and for girls, a pelvic protector; especially in all boys competitions and
in the A grade girls competition.

Following is an equipment checklist to assist clubs in assuring their players are correctly fitted out:
 GOALKEEPER EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

Name:…………………………………………………………

EQUIPMENT POSSIBLE PROBLEMS CHECKED

Helmet Fits well
Chin strap
Face guard not damaged
No movement of face guard when
running
All screws in and tightened
Throat In one piece
Protector Firm fitting
Attached correctly
Shoulder/Arms Fitted
Protector Correct length in the arms
Movement not restricted: up/down,
fwd/back
Collarbone covered
Chest Guard Fitted
No movement up/down or sideways
Well padded
Covers ribs, collar bone and lower
abdominals
Pelvic Area Fitted
Protector Covers hip bones and genital area
No movement when running
Not damaged
Pads Correct size and well fitted
Able to move unrestricted
Don’t move around when running
Straps fit correctly
Kickers Correct size
Instep well padded
Straps well fitted
Thigh Correct size
Protector Covers front/side of the thighs
Well fitted
No movement when running
Shoes Tread
Fit correctly under kickers
Gloves Correct size
Well Fitted
No movement when saving
Stick Length
Weight