Teaching Football Skills Goalkeeping Receiving High Balls When receiving high balls, the goalie’s hands form a “W” with the thumbs almost touching. This hand position allows them to get their hands behind the ball and have a greater chance at safely stopping the ball and preventing a score. Receiving Low Balls When receiving low balls, the goalie’s hands form an “M” with the little fingers almost touching. As in receiving high balls, this hand position allows the goalkeeper to get their hands behind the ball more consistently and effectively. 3. If the ball is rolling along the ground, the goalkeeper must get behind the line of the ball and either scoop the ball up with the legs straight and together or go down on one knee and scoop the ball up. Key Words • Get Behind The Ball • • Feet-Together Scoop One-Knee-Down Scoop 100 Special Olympics Football Coaching Guide Created: February 2004