Question:

I was just wondering if you can run out of the circle and kick the ball – as I got penalised for it last time and a penalty corner was awarded. Another thing, can a keeper be penalised for using the wrong side of his stick??? Lastly, can you give me any tips on penalty flicks please.

Answer:

You do have to be careful about playing the ball out of the circle with anything but your stick. The penalty for kicking the ball out of the circle is a corner and could also be a card, either green or yellow depending on the umpire and the effect of the foul.

If you play the ball with the wrong side of your stick it is a foul. If the foul prevents a goal, the call is usually a stroke.

As far as strokes go, The biggest thing I would tell you is to give yourself a chance to save the ball. Too many keepers get freaked out on strokes and forget that it’s basically a flick from 7 yards. Make the shooter beat you. Unless you’ve seen the stroker before, know that he’s got a great stroke and know where he goes, react. A good stroke should go in. The biggest thing for a keeper to avoid is allowing bad strokes to go in. Bad strokes usually go in when you guess.

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