It's made to go into a game with a target. So he actually does get his sword caught and have to pull it out. And the no sword part is to show his unarmed sprite and avoid animation.

I think you're right, I'm getting the same feeling. Lemme try to amend that.

Just before the ball hits when you only see the silhouette of the goalie its shadow on the ground shouldn't be visible, since it has lines of shadow flying of its back.