Thibaut Courtois

[hjperdeath 2,226]

When I rewatched the save of the 1v1 I noticed he seems to get low to the ground so quickly, and I mean this in a good way

Just watch Scznenzyzne-thingy against Naismith yesterday

When he gets in the 1v1, he does as almost every keeper does, and opens his arms and legs as far as possible trying to cover as much of the goal as he can. But in doing so he leaves a gap the size of the Grand Canyon between his legs which Naismith doesn't hesitate to make use of.

Now watch Courtois

Obviously, Nugent doesn't go for the shot between the legs, but watch Courtois' left leg. Before he sticks it out and saving the goal, he swings it past the inside of his right leg, effectively negating the space between his legs. It seems such a simple thing, but it is a vital difference.

I can tell you that this is what every single goalkeeping coach tells their players. They make them train this particular scenario again and again and again. More and more strikers are being thought not just 1v1 composure, but to also target the weakest part. In the 1990's, making yourself bigger was the best self defense when you're all alone against an oncoming forward. Sadly a training situation is much different than a real-life situation. 80% of goalkeepers choke, Thibaut showing such tremendous confidence at a young age is a very good sign. If I'm not wrong, it was a similar situation with Messi in the World Cup.

He is arrogant in the right way and its fucking brilliant.

[Coop 114]

He and neuer are the best in the world, and he is still 22, over 5 years he will be a living legend.

[Special Juan 27,104]

More solid than brick walls.

Tiboooo Tibooooo

[Chelsea? 892]

I never said he missed a catch on a cross? He hesitates on coming out and goes back on his line sometimes, thats all, believe it or not its ok to have constructive criticism of players, God forbid.

from what I understand, deciding when to come is actually his best advantage over Petr

[The Skipper 20,593]

I never said he missed a catch on a cross? He hesitates on coming out and goes back on his line sometimes, thats all, believe it or not its ok to have constructive criticism of players, God forbid.

Constructive criticism is fine but that's very, very picky. I don't understand how you can criticise him over "hesitating" whether he should come out for a cross or not when what you're describing isn't even a bad thing to do. There's no "hesitation" in any of it, hesitating is when you're caught in no mans land and Courtois is practically never there. He either stays on his line or actually goes out and gets the cross, it's barely hesitating if he takes a step and then decides it's better to stay on his line.

[Barbara 15,149]

Class everywhere

[Azpinator 2,325]

[Myself 793]

Class everywhere

Where do you find all these gifs?

[Barbara 15,149]

Where do you find all these gifs?

my tumblr dash

[ulvhedin 473]

perfect throw to begin counterattack

[zolayes 14,489]

perfect throw to begin counterattack

was praised in commentary

[Myself 793]

my tumblr dash

ahh.. do you think you could find me a bigger .gif of thibaut's 1v1 save please?

[zolayes 14,489]

ahh.. do you think you could find me a bigger .gif of thibaut's 1v1 save please?

It wouldnt fit on the screen ,, he is one BIG BELGIAN BASTARD

[borriske 330]

I can tell you that this is what every single goalkeeping coach tells their players. They make them train this particular scenario again and again and again. More and more strikers are being thought not just 1v1 composure, but to also target the weakest part. In the 1990's, making yourself bigger was the best self defense when you're all alone against an oncoming forward. Sadly a training situation is much different than a real-life situation. 80% of goalkeepers choke, Thibaut showing such tremendous confidence at a young age is a very good sign. If I'm not wrong, it was a similar situation with Messi in the World Cup.

He is arrogant in the right way and its fucking brilliant.

The more I think about it, the more I believe I was wrong in saying it's a simple thing to do. I now believe it's very difficult and risky in it's own way .

This is the key moment because the shot can still go anywhere. As I said before his left foot covers the space between his legs and his left knee his lower left side, but only partially. And this is important because Nugent shot would have passed him into the net had Courtois not stuck his leg out just in time. Had he been the tiniest of fractions slower he would have been too late, and 'szczesny's technique' maybe would have been more succesful here. As you say it's a matter of talent, absolute confidence and most importantly hours of drilling on training to get the timing right (and some luck).

I hope I'm not overanalyzing things here as I'm far from a expert on keeping techniques (or football for that matter )

[Coop 114]

It wouldnt fit on the screen ,, he is one BIG BELGIAN BASTARD

In the local paper (I live in Bilzen, the town he grow up) there was a 1on1 copy of his hand, the hole paper was filled.

If I would get a slap of that I would not remember what my second name would be, a giant hand he has!

[Myself 793]

The more I think about it, the more I believe I was wrong in saying it's a simple thing to do. I now believe it's very difficult and risky in it's own way .

This is the key moment because the shot can still go anywhere. As I said before his left foot covers the space between his legs and his left knee his lower left side, but only partially. And this is important because Nugent shot would have passed him into the net had Courtois not stuck his leg out just in time. Had he been the tiniest of fractions slower he would have been too late, and 'szczesny's technique' maybe would have been more succesful here. As you say it's a matter of talent, absolute confidence and most importantly hours of drilling on training to get the timing right (and some luck).

I hope I'm not overanalyzing things here as I'm far from a expert on keeping techniques (or football for that matter )

He did the correct thing.

You're taught to do that from a very young age when you're a keeper, its the correct way to block 1v1 shots (other than smuggling the ball off the player)

[zolayes 14,489]

In the local paper (I live in Bilzen, the town he grow up) there was a 1on1 copy of his hand, the hole paper was filled.

If I would get a slap of that I would not remember what my second name would be, a giant hand he has!

i Wonder what they showed on page 3 maybe that upset KDB

[The Chels 2,502]

Class everywhere

That throw was brilliant. You can tell why he's a GK rather than an outfield player as he's really good with his hands (his parents were both professional volleyball players I think) but not so great with his kicks, although I'm sure that'll improve.