Goalie's back

Before going into the analysis just a quick reminder, analyzing hockey and watch hockey actively (not only looking at the ball and goals) is a way to improve our understanding of the sport so our performance will improve. Just need a piece of paper and a pen for start writing what you see and look for the reason behind it.

The game we are analysing today is the first game of 5 of the OkLiga play off between Barça and Reus. It ended 6-3 for Barça. This set of games are the semifinals for the OkLiga title.

As a reminder, Follow this steps:

1. Take a look at the video: Barça vs Reus Deportiu 6-3 | HIGHLIGHTS PLAY OFF PARLEM OK LLIGA 
2. Read and think about the analysis.
3. Match the analysis and the video. It starts at 5:55.

This analysis is not only focus on the offensive point of view the defense point of view is even more important

Fast/smart transition

The starting point is a quick pass after a fault. Xabi Barroso (Barça Nº26) restart the game passing quickly to Pau Bargallo (Barça Nº8) who is on Reus’ floor with some advantage over his defender

Smart decisions

Eventhough Pau has some advantage over his defender and clear 1 on 1. He decides not to do the 1 on 1 because if he can dribble past his defender he will not have a clear opportunity over Candid Ballart (Reus Goalie). Instead he decides to keep skating and he stops behind the cage.

Defending from behind the cage

Let's change the scope to the defender point of view which is the most interesting here. Pau stops behind the cage and Joan Salvat (Reus Nº5) stays in the same post as Candid. He is defending in a quite passive way. Which means, Salvat is waiting for Pau to do something, to take the lead on the action (I have to say that when you are defending such a skillful player this kind of defence could be a good option.) The issue is not the passive defending but the miscommunication between defender and goalie is an issue. 

Goalie decisions 

Goalies are strongly attached to the ball, which makes them have a huge commitment to the ball and is really difficult for them to see behind their back for this reason. Usually goalies cover one side and the defender the other or they have some kind of agreement to deal with this situation.

Goalie's back

Pau makes all Reus’ defenders come to the penalty box, but he is taking all Candid attention, also Pau is being really smart about something he is moving towards the side of the goalie which is being covered. This is a masterpiece on “creating” the weak and the strong side. So at the point when Joao Rodrigues (Barça Nº79) cuts in on a huge speed, his defender is out of position because is too close to the penalty box with no time to react, so Joao only cuts in. Pau passes to Joao and he scores at the first touch to the goalie half empty.

1. Passing: crucial for this sport but specially in this really fast play. The first one is Barroso’s pass to Pau, getting him free of most defenders. The second one is the pass before the goal, accurate and strong.
2. Goalie’s attachment to the ball: goalies have a huge dependence on the ball (for some reason) is important to take this into account when defending and also use it in your favour when your are attacking
3. Weak side: again, sides are important. Creating sides and using them properly open the opportunity to create the next level of hockey.

Grab a stick & keep skating!!