| Hockey Classroom
THE GOALTENDER TEN COMMANDMENTS
From Coach McAleese
33% TECHNICAL, 33% PHYSICAL and 33% MENTAL
A modern goaltending must be equally proficient in the technical, physical and mental part of the game. Study, learn and diligently practice all three requirements.
THE MIND
A goalie's psychology is a very important aspect of playing and training the position. But yet, it is by far, the most overlooked. A goalie may smile at success, but cries internally or externally from failure. It is common to feel like the world, or game, is on their shoulders. In addition, a goalie can get psyched up and lead a team to victory, or psyched out and lead a team to defeat.
It is very important that a young goaltender learn to find his zone. It is equally important that the coach/parent learns how to help get the player into his/her zone both before and during games. Each goaltender has a different set of buttons that must be pushed to get them playing at an optimal mental level. Sometimes the goalie simply cannot get into his/her zone. When this occurs the coach must assist the goaltender to get through the game both physically and mentally.
The goalie must be able to perform the mental skills, like the physical skills, instinctively. In addition, another positive offshoot of learning goalie physiology is that many of the techniques apply to everyday life, school and eventually business work ethics.
KNOW YOUR NET
A goalie must learn to have eyes behind their head to locate the goal at all times. The one golden rule is that the goalie finds the net with their stick or glove every time they leave it. In addition, before the start of every game the goalie should ritually perform a net location sequence to determine where the net is in relation to the ice surface. Every rink is different and the goalie needs to size up the rink in relationship to the net.
READY, READ, REACT, RECOVER, REPOSITION
The Five R's
Get Ready, Read the offensive attack, React to the shot, Recover from the shot & Reposition yourself for the next attack.
GOALIE STICK OUT 4" to 6" FROM THE PADS
The goalie stick should be positioned so it is not on the pads. It should be 4" to 6" out from the pads. When a shot is stopped by the stick, the stick moves in with the puck, to cushion it, and prevents rebounds in front. In addition, the proper stick position allows the goalie to direct shots to the corner easier.
GOAL SCORED - ANALYZE AND FORGET
"If I get scored upon by a bad goal, or any goal, right before the next face-off visualize the goal. "Think about it for 20 seconds, and think what you did wrong so it doesn't happen again; and, after the 20 seconds, you stop thinking about it like it never happened."
STICK HANDLING, PASSING, SHOOTING & OUT OF THE NET
Today's game of hockey demands an offensive as well as defensive goalie. That is why it is so important that the goalie learns to stick handle, shoot, pass and play out of the net. Expand your comfort zone and start to wander out of the net. Play the pucks in the corners, in the defensive zone and behind the net. Let your coach know your intensions so they are patient with you and work with you. Expect some bad goals to go in at first, but over time your offensiveness will be a great team asset. A good aggressive goalie adds a 6th offensive player to the ice.
SHARP SKATES & SKATING
Again, today's game of hockey demands an offensive as well as defensive goalie. That is why it is so important that the goalie learns to use sharp skates like the other players. Sharp skates give the goalie the confidence and thrust to skate offensively. Dull skates will not give him the grip on the ice to do fast and quick skating moves. If you are not use to sharp skates, over the course of several weeks, increase the sharpness of your skates each week. In several weeks you will be skating with sharp skates and loving it! A good skating and stick handling goalie adds a 6th offensive player to the ice.
STRETCHING and STRENGTH TRAINING
Stretching both on and off the ice should become a regular routine for a goalie. The goalie must become a "Gumby" in the net if they expect to excel. Ignoring stretching, on or off the ice, will also increase their chances of getting hurt. In addition, a goalie must learn to perform splits, half butterflies, etc., and stretching is the key to achieving these skills. There are several books and web sites that can guide you in this area. VERY IMPORTANT, never stretch cold! Always warm up the muscles first.
Strength training is important for all positions, especially goal. But the goalie must move their heavy gear into the most awkward positions & recover to a standing position in split seconds. The stronger the goalie the quicker they can react. Young goalies can do exercise type strength training such as pushups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squats with light weights etc.
EAGLE EYE, OWL EYE
The two metaphors below help to demonstrate and animate the goalie mind set during a game. It is easy for the players to remember and fun too.
When the puck is in your defensive zone (behind your blue line) the goalie is to have EAGLE EYES. An eagle is a predator with sharp focused vision and able to catch fast moving animals. Goalies keenly observe the fast action in the zone and must catch fast moving pucks.
When the puck is out of the zone (outside the blue line) the goalie is to have OWL EYES. An owl is a wise bird that watches and studies the world around them. When the puck is out of the zone the goalie wisely watches the game constantly observing and trying to anticipate the next play.
PRACTICES ARE MORE THAN JUST
BEING SHOT ON
Getting shot on are just one of many parts of a practice for a goalie. A Goaltender should work on all the items below for a well-balanced practice.
Skating – every practice
Form and technique – every practice
Positioning and knowing the net location – every practice
Psychology – every practice
Rebounds – every practice
Passing
Stick handling
Playing the puck out of the net
Goalie shooting the puck
Game Play
REST
The goalie position, again, is very demanding both mentally and physically. The goalie needs both mental and physical rest in several forms.
-A good nights sleep before the game or practice.
-Rest after playing numerous games consecutively.
-Rest at the end of the season.
-Rest when he/she appears mentally or physically exhausted.
LEARN
The goalie position is a complex and demanding position. It has so many techniques and nuances. Read, view videos and watch professional games.
EXPAND YOUR VISION
A good goalie knows the player with the puck in front of them. A great goalie knows where all the players are. Know where your opponents are as well as your own players. Use your peripheral vision. If a player is taking a shot on you it is foresight to know who else is in the crease area if you need to save a rebound or stop a deflect or one timer. When you go out of the net to play the puck you must know where the players are before you reach the puck. Expand your vision and your game will improve drastically.
The Puck Stops Here!
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