Peter Schmeichel

Schmeichel's spread in close-range situations drew on his handball experience. By extending his limbs and making himself a larger obstacle, he offered a distinctive solution when there was little time for a conventional diving save. In his own account, the star jump came from trying to cover more of the goal against a nearby attacker. It was an influential addition to the repertoire, not a claim that positioning and judgement could be replaced by simply making the biggest possible shape.