The Importance of Keeping your Hands Infront of your Body

Keeping you hands in front of your body is more important than you think. You always want to have your hands in front of your body because it will cut off more of the angle. It will also make things a lot easier for catching and blocking because you can follow the puck into your hands instead of always trying to guess where the puck is going to end up. When the play is in close it is especially important to keep your hands in front because having you hands out just a little bit will cut off a lot more angle than having your hand by your side. Keeping your hands in front will also make your movements more in control. When keeping your hand in front of your body, you don't need them to be way out in front of you but out just enough that you can see the puck into your hands.

Stopping The Puck With Your Body

When it comes to making a save, I am a firm believer in making things as easy for the goaltender as possible. One way to do this is to try and stop the puck with your body as much as possible. Stopping the puck with just your glove or blocker is alright but if the shot gets tipped, it's going right over or under your glove. If your body is behind the puck and it gets tipped, it will still at least hit you. The only way you can stop the puck with your body is either they shoot it at your body or you slide into the puck. When you slide into the puck you usually need more time to react. You won't always be able to get your body behind it but if you can it will make your job a lot easier.

Poke Check

The poke check is not a very common move any more but if used properly can be very effective. You don't want to over use the poke check because then players will notice that and be expecting it. The whole idea of the poke check, it's unexpected.

When doing the poke check you need to be in your ready stance. When the player is within range, slide your hand to the top of your stick and poke it out quickly towards the puck. Keep your eye on the puck. Make sure that the poke check is done when the shooter is in tight and do it as quick as possible. Don't worry about the shooter getting tripped by you stick during the poke check; it will not be a penalty.

3 on 2's

A 3 on 2 is very similar to a 2 on 1 in many ways. You need to communicate with your defenseman, challenge the shooter, and don't over commit. But there are a couple of things that are different about the two.

On a 3 on 2 you always want to make sure that you are challenging the shooter because the other two should be tied up by your defenseman. Try and stay standing for as long as possible just in case the shooter tries to go around you. He probably won't be able to because of your 2 defenseman, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Have confidence in your defenseman. You got to know that he is taking the guy without the puck. If there happens to be a pass across make sure that you get across the crease as fast as possible for the big save.

Remember To Play K.I.S.S When Playing The Puck

The position of goaltending is consistently evolving. A goaltender will not be successful until they recognize their ability to control plays with their puck playing skills are key in the game of hockey. Goalies that consistently have confidence in their puck playing ability above and below the goal line become a valuable assist to their team. However, making mechanical mistakes while playing the puck can be costly!


When a goalie leaves the crease to play the puck, remember to not over handle the puck or make a bad decision with the puck especially away from the net. Goalies that remind themselves to play K.I.S.S will always be successful. K.I.S.S is a term used to Keep It Simple - Stupid when playing the puck outside the crease. Making a blind pass or trying to be flashy with ones puck playing skills will get a goaltender in trouble.


Goalies are their own worst enemies when playing the puck outside their crease. A flashy puck player will likely make rash decisions and pay for it by getting caught out of position. Whether it’s making a poor clearing attempt to a teammate or a bad pass off the high glass, why do so many goalies find the need to put themselves in these types of situations? Some of the best puck playing decisions a goalie makes are the simple plays that do not draw any attention to them while doing it. It’s common to see a goalie below the goal line trying to make a flashy, off the high glass outlet pass; hesitate, fumble the clear and scrambles to get back into the net while the other team finds a way to score. It’s seen way too often. REMEMBER TO MAKE THE SIMPLE PLAY!!



© Bandits Goalie School - 2009

2 on 1's

2 on 1's don't come around that often. But when they do, you need to be ready to make a big save. A couple of key things to remember are that you have to communicate with your defenseman. It's so important to let your defenseman know that you will take the shooter so he can pick up the extra man. Challenge the shooter to cut off all angles, and stand up as long as possible just in case the shooter decides last second to make a pass across. Don't cheat by being off angle so that you're a little closer to the open man. Be sure to keep your angle. Don't back in to fast or the shooter will have the whole net to shoot at. If there is a pass across butterfly slide across as fast as possible because it will most likely be a quick shot. Keep your eyes on the puck at all times.

Paddle Down Save

The paddle down save is not very common anymore but sometimes is the best save for the situation. This save should be used on long dump ins and wraparounds. You don't want to do this position when the shooter is in close because he will just shoot high blocker side and your blocker is on the ice so it will be hard to reach the puck.

When making this save one leg should be flat on the ice and the other extended out on an angle. The paddle of your stick should be flat on the ice. Your glove should be up above your pad open to catch the shot. Keep your head up so that the shot can be seen and stay square with the puck.

The Importance of a Goaltender Staying Hydrated

In Goal Magazine has recently done a study on goalie hydration. The scientist conducting the study was Dr. Lawrence Spriet. He shows you just how important it is to keep hydrated to reach peak performance.


- Losing only 1-2% of your body mass can impair performance - that's as little as 2 pounds for a 200 lb. goalie - less for you fit types!

- Players lost on average 1.8 L per hour of fluid - to replace that fluid you would need to drink nearly two large water bottles. And certainly one full bottle to stay within the 1% loss of body mass.

- Goalies averaged 2.9L lost in an hour - 3 very large water bottles! The goalies did drink the most - 1.8 L on average - but they still lost on average 1.1% of body mass.

- You have to assume that these well-trained young men were taught in their careers about the importance of hydration - yet 1/3 of them still lost more than 1% of their mass.

- The players were not able to maintain adequate sodium balance.

- The players tended to choose sports drinks before practice and plain water during.

- Sodium Balance - Sodium replacement is essential for retaining ingested fluid and restoring fluid balance after exercise

- Suggest extra sodium sports drink to help replacement of sodium - drinking water only can be a real problem.


Goalies sweat the most, losing 2.9 ± 0.2 Lh–1, and this can be attributed to their constant involvement in the drills during the practice — other players, upon completing a drill, waited for 4 – 5 of their teammates to complete their turns before repeating the drill. This allowed the players a chance to rest while the goalies were generally involved in many or all successive repetitions of each drill. The sweating response would presumably be different in game situations, as goalies are only required to react to game play in their end while other players are continuously active during their shifts. This is supported by a study by Green et al. (1976) that demonstrated much smaller increases in blood lactate for a goalie (n = 1, +153%) than for other players (n = 7, +325% ± 16%) during a game, despite similar fitness levels.


Bottom Line - How Should a Goalie Manage Hydration?

The bottom line is that it is unsure how much this matters for non-elite players. The only way to be sure is to take your body weight before and after a game or practice - right before old-timers, not after that extra hour in the dressing room or local watering hole!

- If you are losing more than 1% of your body weight you have a potential problem.

- Sports drinks have little value before a game, but are exactly what you need during a game - the extra sodium versions.

- You need a well balanced meal right after the game - if it will be delayed there are many recovery shake options that are essentially chocolate milk!

http://ingoalmag.com/interviews/gatorade-sport-science-research-fluid-loss-in-goalies/

The Blocker Save

The blocker save is much like the glove save only on the opposite side, and you don't have to worry about catching the puck. The blocker save is a great save because you can control the rebound so easily and direct the puck exactly to where you want it.

When making the blocker save you need to start by keeping your hands in front of your body. Once the shot has been taken, put your blocker in the path of the puck. Make sure that you are following the puck to your blocker. Once the puck hits your blocker cock your wrist so that the blocker is facing into the corner, because where your blocker is angled, that is where the puck will go. Make sure you don't punch at the puck, let the puck come to you.

The Glove Save

The glove save is definitely the nicest looking save for a goalie. The glove save is the best save a goalie can make because it doesn't just look good or feel good, there is no rebound left for your opponent to knock in.

There are a couple of things that you want to remember when making a glove save so that you don't miss the puck or it bounces out of your glove. When the shot it taken you need to follow the puck into your glove with your eyes so that you can see and make sure that it is actually going into the pocket of the glove right where you want it. Once you feel and see that the puck is in your glove, squeeze your hand together so that it does not bounce out or just fall out.

Shots from Tight Angles

Shots from a tight angle always seem to be a goalies problem. You don't know if you should be in your regular stance or a narrow stance, butterfly or stand up, challenge the shooter or stay on your post.

There are a couple of things that you should always do when there is a shot from a bad angle. Make sure that you come out and challenge the shooter. If he comes in close then you can start backing up. Play nice and aggressive. Keep your stance a little bit more narrower so that you are square with the shooter and your feet are in line with the posts. If you use your butterfly, make sure that it is narrow and just in line with the posts so that when the shot is taken, you don't let out a big rebound out in front of the net.

Screen Shots

As you progress to a higher level of hockey you will soon find that there are a lot more screen shots. There's a lot more because the shots are so much harder so they just pass the puck to the point and get guys in front of you. This is a very common thing as you progress through the levels. Most goals these days you see in the NHL come from the point with at least one of their guys in front of the goalie. You will not always stop them but here are a couple of things that you should do to improve the amount of screen shots you save.

- Get in a low stance to locate puck and look around player

- Stand up as long as possible, don't commit until shot is taken

- Get as close to the screened player as possible

- Cover all low areas because that is where most goals are scored

- Stay square to puck

- Keep stick on ice

- Use your butterfly, or paddle down save

- Locate and cover rebound quickly so there is no second chance

Catching vs. Blocking Shots

Being a goalie there are only two different types of saves that you can make. Either a blocking save or a catching saves. The blocking save just hits you and bounces off or drops, and the catching save is where you catch the puck so there is no rebound. It's pretty clear that you would rather make a catch than a block so you can hold onto your rebounds and there will be no second chances. If the puck is in close you don't have much time to react to the shot so you will probably just have to block it. If the shot comes from far out you should always catch it.

When blocking the shot you want to come out nice and far so the puck can't slip around you because there isn't much time to react. Next you want to go into your butterfly when the shot is released to get maximum net coverage. When in your butterfly keep your hands and knees tight and compact to your body and your legs flared outwards to get maximum net coverage. By doing this you will cover most of your net and when the shot comes you make the save, make sure you cover the puck up a quickly as possible.

When making a catching save, always make sure that you have a second piece of equipment behind whatever you're catching with just in case you miss the puck accidentally.

Goalie Communication

Being a goalie doesn't mean just trying to stop the puck. It also means you need to communicate with your teammates. By communicating with your teammates, your team will have a great advantage in your own zone especially. By communicating you will let your teammates know where the puck is or who is pressuring them when they go behind the net to retrieve the puck. It's very simple.

You can communicate in many ways. When the other team dumps in the puck and they have pressure, I will yell "Man on man on" and if there is no one then I will yell "Time, time". If a player from the other team or your team gets out of the penalty box, slap your stick on the ice to let them know he is out. By doing just these little things you can really help out your team a lot.

Stick Saves

The goalies best tool of equipment is his stick. The goalies stick is very key because of all of the things you can do with it. Stick saves are a very important because of all the different ways to make them. If at all possible make the save with your stick instead of your pad if the puck is on the ice. There are many reasons for doing this. First, you get much better rebound control. With your stick you can control the puck exactly where you want it to go. If you angle your stick towards the corner that is where the puck will go. If you put a big angle on your stick you can make the puck go over the glass for a whistle. By controlling the puck with your stick you can help your team out a lot.

Here are a couple of things to remember when you are making a stick save:

- Keep your eye on the puck

- Keep your stick in front of you so you can angle pucks into the corner

- Keep a part of your body behind your stick just in case it misses the stick you still have backup

-Deflecting pucks to the corner comes from a good wrist movement

The Basic Butterfly

The butterfly is the most used save in hockey. It's used so often because most shots that come your way will be low. If they are high, they will most likely hit or go over your shoulder if you challenge the shooter. Most goalies use the butterfly because then you go down and are tight and compact, there is really no where to shoot and score. The butterfly is often used on close range shots because it's more of a blocking shot than a catching shot and if the shooter is in so close you will not have any time to react so you just need to make yourself as big as possible.

Here are a couple of key things to remember when going into the butterfly:

- Keep your knees on the ice

- Keep your stick in front of your pads on the ice

- Knees together but toes as far out as possible (covers more lower net)

- Glove and blocker just above the pads, out in front, and close to your body

- Keep your body upright

- Body should be square to puck to get maximum net coverage

- Challenge the shooter so there is no net showing

If you do these things every time you do your butterfly, it can increase your performance greatly.

Here is a picture of a good solid butterfly

Basic Goalie Stance

Your basic goalie stance will be the most important part of your game. Especially when you are learning. It is so important because everything that you do in net requires you to start at your basic stance, move into your basic stance, and move from your basic stance. Everything you do is built off your basic stance.

There are some pretty basic guidelines that you should follow. Although all goalies have a different stance there are a couple of things that all great goalies do for maximum performance. In the end it all comes down to how you feel. If you feel that some of these techniques don't work for you than don't use them but they are just guidelines.

Things to keep in mind when going into your basic stance:

- Feet a little wider than shoulder width

- Knees bent to a comfortable angle

- Chest up facing the puck

- Stick on ice about 12-16 inches in front of you

- Both arms even height out in front of you

- Hands facing forward and open towards the puck

- Shoulders and arms relaxed

- Put 50% of your weight on your heels and 50% on the balls of your feet

- Even weight on each leg

Here is a good basic stance of all-star goalie Steve Mason.

Steve Mason, Calder Trophy Winner

This years 2009 Calder Memorial Trophy was awarded to Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He beat out Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks and Chris Versteeg of the Chicago Blackhawks. I am so glad that a goalie won it this year.

The Calder Trophy is awarded to the top rookie of the year. The people that choose the winner is the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. This award has been around since 1936/37.

This year was a pretty obvious choice of who should win the Calder Trophy. In the regular season Steve Mason played 61 games with 33 wins and 20 loses. His goalie stats are as follows: 10 shutouts a GAA of 2.29 and a Save% of .916. That is an awesome record. Congratulations Steve Mason and best of luck in the future!

What Equipment You Need To Become a World Class Goalie

Goalie equipment is arguably the most complicated equipment to put on of any sport. Goalies also wear the most equipment of any other sport out there. You need so much equipment because if you are standing in front of a 90 mph slap shot, you don't want to get hurt. Ill make a list of the things that you need and some extra things you can get if you like but are not necessary. I will put it all in order of what to put on first.

Must Need Equipment:

1. Jock - Used to protect the pelvic area

2. Waist Strap - Used to keep up your hockey socks

3. Goalie Pants - Used to protect your legs and lower mid section

4. Goalie Skates - Make sure you get goalie skates and not player skates, they are two very different types

5. Goalie Pads - Used to protect your legs

6. Neck Guard - Keeps sticks and skates from cutting your throat

7. Chest and Arm Protector - Used to protect the chest, stomach, shoulders, and arms

Then put on your jersey.

8. Goalie Helmet - Make sure that you get a goalie helmet and not a player helmet because they are two very different helmets

9. Glove and Blocker - Keeps your hands safe and allows you to catch and block pucks.

10. Goalie Stick

If you have that you are ready to hit the ice. There are some additional things you can get that may help you. Here's what they are:

1. Mouth guard - Used to avoid concussions and keep your teeth safe.

2. Under Armor - Used to keep your body dry so you can stay comfortable throughout the ice time

3. Overalls - Used to hook up to your pants to avoid loose and saggy pants

4. Throat Shield - Hooks up to your helmet and protects your neck so pucks can't hit your neck

Movement Drills

Doing movement drills is so important for goalies because if you can't move fast, you can't get your body in front of the puck like you should because otherwise you need to try and catch the puck to stop it. Goalies of all levels should be doing these drills or similar ones. The more movement drills you do, the better and faster you will become which will make you a much better goalie. Try and do these drills that are outlined here every time you go on the ice and you will notice a big difference.

This first drill is one of the most basic drills you can do to warm-up. It's called the house drill because it sort of outlines the shape of a house.

Directions: Start on X1 in your ready stance. T-push to X2 then stop. Rotate and T-push to X3. Stop, rotate and T-push to X4. Then do it starting from X4 back to X1.

The next drill is the "Y" drill this is a great drill if you are training for breakaways.

Directions: Start at X1. T-push to X2 and then scull out to X3 and stop. Skate backwards until you hit the top of your crease, then rotate and T-push to X4. Do it again except start from X4.

The next drill is the "Z" drill. This one is great for working on your lateral movement.

Directions: Start on X1. Shuffle over to X2. T-push out to X3 and then rotate and T-push over to X4. Then do it back to X1. Try starting on both posts.

The last drill is the half moon shuffle. This drill will help you with your angles and leg power.

Directions: Start on X1 and shuffle along the top of your crease to X2 and then back again

Always remember that the better your movement, the more saves you will make. Whenever you're doing movement always keep your head up, hand in front, stick on the ice, and lead with your eyes. Keep doing movement drills and you will find you will be getting a lot better a lot faster. Try doing variations of these drills. Try adding butterfly's or shots just to keep changing it up.