Goalies Only

Goaltender confidence is probably the biggest compliment to good technique. Many goalies need some sort of validation that they are indeed doing well. The best form of validation is to finish a game with lots of saves made and few goals allowed. This accomplishment can be particularly difficult for goalies on good teams who are not getting a lot of work. They may allow few goals but make relatively few saves. And in a 7-2 win, for example, they might wonder how significant their particular contributions were. The coach must be aware of this phenomenon should his or her goalie battle confidence streaks. One tack is to point out to a goalie that there are a lot of positive contributions made by a goalie in a game beyond saves. In one game recently, a goalie deflected six passes intended for the goalmouth in the last half of the game. Each one of those passes, had they connected, would have resulted in a prime scoring opportunity. None did and the goalie did not receive any "stats" to show for it. The same scenario comes about when a goalie smartly ties up a loose puck, for example, when his team is under siege. The act of getting a whistle amid chaos is something a goalie should be commended for.

The coach can point these things out to a goalie, making sure he knows that those "little things" are important and they have been noticed.

When I am battling confidence…and we ALL do… I make sure to stay technical. I stay in my basic stance ( even when the play is in the other end), I set up for face-offs in the other end and WATCH the puck EVERYWHERE! This “intense” focus allows no room for doubt in ability and will soon have you playing comfortably and with confidence.

Any questions? Just go to the contact page and “Ask The Coach”

Question: Why does it seem that the same goalie is picked year after year to start and some goalies are found sitting on the bench?

Answer: Head coach mind set!

As a "Head Coach", sometimes it is easier to pick the incumbent! Why? I know what he or she could do in a pressure situation and what they are capable of doing. Where as the new kid..... they haven't had battle time. If I have a goalie that is consistent on making saves .... save after save, you stick with them. Most head coaches don't know a thing about goaltending... let along how to help their goalie make saves. During try-outs, some coaches just look to see if the goalie can stop the pick and that's it. (They don't know or care about techniques, stance, glove position....nothing!)

So how do you choose your starter?

If you are on a house league team....

1. Look for the goalie who's been playing for a team that is struggling. (more saves per game ratio) If he plays for a good team, the team might be doing all the work.
2. Does the goalie do drop-in's at a higher age bracket? (better competition)
3. Did the goalie go to camp in the summer (NOT BASEBALL)

If you are on a Travel/Rep Team....(look for these things)

1. Look for aggresiveness! If the puck gets iced and its not going to cross the goal line for icing.... The goalie should go out and get and send it up to your defenseman so they don't waste energy getting back to getting back to it/
2. Do they keep their head in the game? (here's a great indicator) If your forward is carrying the puck and gets tripped and the referee's hand goes up.. what should the goalie do? Stand there and wait for you to call him? No! He should be heading to the bench yelling at you saying ... here I come! Have a contingency plan on what to do when he gets there!
3. The goalie should be cocky. You have got to have that ..."NO ONE" is getting by me attitude. You know , "Is that the Best you can do?" type of attitude.
4. He or she should always be working on their passing! I cannot stress this enough... In today's game, there are plenty of goalies who can STOP the puck, but it is what happens after that that separates the good from the great! There is nothing better then a goalie that can pass better then a forward.
5. They should be consistent! Save after save. Oh by the way... if the puck goes in, tell them to get over it and move on!
6. Controlling rebounds. Are the pucks going into the corner? Or are they struggling to field the puck clean?

Lastly and most important... do they have that "it isn't over till crosses the line" attitude and are they striving to be better with each outing. If you can say that, you've found your starter!

For more information use our contact form and we will help to make your goaltender a starter. With one on one training and advanced Summer Training Camps, every kid can become an elite player!

Third year goaltender goes from House league to Tier 1 through personalized instruction. 1 on 1 instruction is the way to go. It helps the goalie learn at his or her own pace!

We are currently booking personalized times for both organizations and individual ice times. Summer 2005 clinics will be posted as they are set up. These will be set up for organizations on a first come, first serve basis.