Wait for "the Glide" - all but the very best players in the world stop moving their feet when they are about to release a shot. Scott Slingsby Photo

As goaltenders we are always looking to get the upper hand over our goal-scoring rivals. We look for certain clues and patterns to their game. With players we face on a regular basis in our respective leagues (if intelligent and a student of the game), many of us keep notes to remember their favorite moves, shot-type and location from which they most commonly like to release the puck and have the most success. This article will address the skater’s glide as a shot release clue for goaltenders.

As mentioned, there are many clues that, over time, goaltenders are taught to look for as a clue that the attacker is about to do something requiring an alert goalie. Here are some of the common clues that successful goaltenders use to gain an “upper hand” during competition:

1. the attacking player lowers the head
2. the attacker drops the shoulder
3. the attacker stops dribbling the puck
4. is the take away a high one or low one suggesting a certain type of shot?
5. is the follow through a low one or a high one suggesting puck trajectory?
6. is the stick blade open or closed in combination with the other two considerations which once again suggests trajectory?

But what about watching the skates and feet of the attacking player? How many players in the world can release an accurate high velocity snap shot in full stride?

Sitting and watching players (in flow drills) at all levels of hockey from novice to major Junior, I coined the simple phrase “wait for the glide!” Simply put, this means that all but the very best players in the world stop moving their feet when they are about to release a shot. In flow drills , the attacker moves across the offensive zone blue line and sooner or later starts to glide and releases a shot. If the goaltender understands this is an indication of something about to happen you can accomplish a few things during a game:

1. You can readjust yourself from a semi-relaxed upright stance to a full-ready crouch position to face a shot. The former stance allows you to conserve some energy appear big and move quickly laterally, if needed.
2. The glide suggests a quick need to read the play for the presence of off-puck passing options and the presence/location of trailers and back-checkers. This decision making is essentially instant and frequently relies solely on peripheral vision.
3. If no passing options are available, the glide also allows the goalie to quickly gain an extra bit of depth by taking a step out towards the shooter. However, the goaltender must be confident not to overplay the situation and that the weak side of the ice is protected by teammates.

The problem with flow drills in minor hockey (from my goalie coach perspective) is that it is not realistic to have players skating and shooting on the goalie in non-confronted scenarios. Without confrontation, the forwards repeatedly take these long takeaways and never learn quick release shots which become vital as time and space decrease with improved skill level and speed. When they transfer this habit to games, the D-man steps up into the gap and the shot never gets off. For the goaltender, it is unrealistic to be facing shots with clear sight lines in shooting lanes. However, in the presence of a defenseman, the above-mentioned factors will benefit forwards, defensemen and goaltenders regardless of whether it is a 1-on-1, 2-on-1, 3-on-1, or 3-on-2.

During competition, as the glide begins, the defenseman can step up and close the gap, sweep the puck away or knock down the attacker. The glide may also be a transient move to stall the defenseman with subsequent quick acceleration around the D-man. This can be followed by a quick-release shot, a net drive or pass to a trailer or to the weak side. The astute goalie will be familiar with all options and know how to handle them appropriately.

I see the glide at the ‘AAA’ level all the time. I stand by the boards in flow drills, assess my goaltender’s depth, save selection and how they compete. I see the forwards skate by me, enter a glide phase, take a long wind up and waste effort with big slap shots that will not get through at higher levels of competition. ( I will discuss this more in a future article titled “Shoot through the Screen Stupid !”).

In conclusion, remember that no clue is foolproof. However, with non-professional players, “The Glide” is a certain warning sign that something is about to take place. Add this to your personal bag of warning signs, use it and you will hopefully make a few more saves! Let me know if it worked for you!

Copyright The Goalie Magazine - InGoalMag.com

SCENARIO

The local hockey school is short on goaltenders for some of their puck-handling and goal-scoring camps. Your child is known around town as a good goaltender and you receive a call from the school operator asking if you would be interested in bringing your child out to the camp at no financial cost. This is not an uncommon occurrence. It has both advantages and disadvantages to consider.

DISCUSSION

The ADVANTAGES include facing a lot of shots and hopefully shots from quality shooters. Another thing to consider is whether the school operator will allow your child to participate in drills with players of older age and better caliber than they normally face.

The type of shots you are likely to face will come from FLOW DRILLS. This means the tempo will be relatively fast and the shots will most likely be released from intermediate distances. This will provide a good opportunity to work on visual attachment and puck-tracking skills. If the shots are staggered properly by the on-ice instructor, your child should be able to perform what Ian Clark (Former Goaltending Coach, Vancouver Canucks) refers to as post-save response. This simply means maintaining eye-puck contact, performing a technically sound recovery and following the rebound out like in a competitive situation. There is also the advantage of conditioning since there will essentially be endless waves of shots. I find this free ice offer to be an advantageous opportunity for more mature goaltenders who have solid technical ability, an established style of play and are well-motivated.

The DISADVANTAGES include the fact that there will be no feedback instruction of any kind provided. Secondly, with flow drills, the drills are neither particularly diverse nor game-like in a tactical sense. Therefore, they have limited practical application for a goaltender wanting to prepare for competition. Exhaustion can also become a problem, especially for immature goalies. This may lead to poor save execution, save selection and injury if the goalie chooses not to leave the net when rest becomes necessary. It is for these reasons that I do not favor free ice-time for youngsters who are still in the process of establishing their own style, correct technique and proper muscle memory.

I have first-hand experience with this scenario from when I was a bantam level goaltender. I knew what I was doing and I enjoyed being on the ice and trying to stop as many shots as possible. However, it does become exhausting after a while and you should not feel obliged to stay in the net despite the fact that the drill never seems to end. As you become dehydrated with a minimum loss of 2% total body water, cognitive function starts to deteriorate and so will performance. I have also been through this scenario on several occasions with my eldest son. Each time the opportunity presented itself, I actually declined the offer since I was more concerned about technical / tactical instruction and quality ice-time, not quantity. Everyone has to make their own decisions but remember to consider some of the advantages and disadvantages mentioned here.

What are your thoughts?

Copyright The Goalie Magazine - InGoalMag.com

Toronto's James Remier is prepared to use his stick to prevent a pass out from an opposition player. Scott Slingsby photo, all rights reserved.

With the exception of the goaltender’s mask and cup, the most important piece of equipment is inarguably the goal stick since it can be used in so many ways. It can cover the puck. It can be used to stop dump-ins, to make passes and to shoot the puck off the glass. It is an effective tool in rebound control and in team communication. It is even a crease deterrent if need be (just ask Billy Smith or Ron Hextall)! It has evolved over the course of goaltending history and is unique in its configuration.

Cross-crease passes are commonplace in today’s game since there is as much tactical play in the East – West direction as there is up and down the ice surface. Today’s players are also great at saucer passing through seemingly non-existing passing lanes. Turn on your television any evening and you will likely see highlights with passes going across the front of the crease or through the blue paint. Sometimes great goals are scored or great saves made; however, unnecessary goals are also scored due to what I define as an “inactive stick.” Basically, an inactive stick is a goal stick that is not being utilized effectively when the opportunity to use it presents itself.

So how do you determine whether the puck is within the goaltender’s reach? What degree of reach is safe or dangerous? Where in relation to the blue paint is the pass occurring? Where is the goaltender positioned? There are no set rules and as mentioned in previous articles you have to do only that with which you feel confident.

I would define a comfortable reach as one to the full extension of the arm in front of the body. I believe this to be safe and does not require the torso to bend too far forward, or the blocker drop to low if the goaltender is on his/her knees. I think it is dangerous to perform full length poke checks to get pucks within reach. This approach may occasionally be called for but today’s topic is reserved for pucks crossing just above, or through, the blue paint. Whether the goalie is located at the top of the crease or deep in the blue paint does make a difference. If the keeper is at the top of the arc and misses the puck, the mistake is likely fatal. The goalie really has no business trying to deflect passes on lateral feeds above the blue paint! With the feed through the blue paint, and goaltender positioned deeper in the crease, the active stick deflection can quickly deflate a dangerous situation. Furthermore, with deeper positioning, a missed deflection may still allow the goalie to stick out a pad or glove and make a save. Do not get me wrong, I get it. The passes are precise and sent with speed. They may be saucer passes slightly off the ice. The visual reads are not easy and net front traffic makes things worse. A successful deflection may still end up in the net. It may be sent out on an undesired angle to an opponent who puts it in the open net. It may be deflected against another body in the crease and bounce past an exasperated goaltender. As Mike Liut once said, “Goaltending is the quintessential bad-luck position.” Nevertheless, sometimes lady luck is with you and by deflecting the pass away, it may go to a teammate who creates quick transition and your team scores a goal shortly thereafter.

Today’s goaltender is great at the down game. They can slide side to side from either a standing position or from their knees. When cross-crease passes occur they often seem content to let the passes occur through the blue paint, trying to make either a blocking or reactionary type save. These saves are very impressive to watch and frequently reveal both great technique and athleticism . I also find when practicing tactical drills with lateral feeds across the crease many goalie coaches emphasize more the sequence of movements that will propel the goalie across the crease and maintaining a compact form to prevent soft goals. This is all very important to the goalie’s “Tool Box.” However, there is a role for having an active stick and intercepting some of these cross-crease passes and hence eliminating some of these goals and difficult saves. In practice, try to keep your stick active since it is a great goaltending asset.

Copyright The Goalie Magazine - InGoalMag.com

Detroit's Jimmy Howard is one of the most aggressive goaltenders in the NHL often challenging beyond the blue paint - confident the Wings' defenders will cover threats behind him (Scott Slingsby photo).

Triangulation is categorized by Hockey Canada as a group tactic. It involves 3 attacking players and is commonly employed in odd man rushes. Most commonly this is a 3-on-2 rush. In this situation two attackers go wide with one being in possession of the puck. They form the base of the triangle (see diagram). The third attacking player is the high man and forms the triangle’s apex. Unfortunately this man is frequently left unchecked due to miscommunication or poor back-checking efforts which created the odd man rush to begin with! With the puck carrying winger going wide, a pass is commonly made to the high trailer. If the two wingers are appropriately covered the high man commonly elect to shoot the puck. He may shoot to score or he may shoot to create a rebound. However, this scenario can be discussed in another article!

Now let us look at things from the goaltender’s perspective. Initially, the goalie must recognize the situation and assess how well the D-men are containing the wingers going wide. The goalie must also respect the fact that a shot may be taken from a poor angle. If a pass is made from winger to winger then there is a serious breakdown in defensive coverage and the play has realistically evolved into a 2-on-1, but I digress. The goaltender must communicate with the “D” and let them know with basic triangulation that the “D” are responsible for the wingers and the goalie is responsible for the high man. This should allow the “D” to shut down any passing lanes. This is not to say however that the “D” should continue to collapse forever and turn a 3-on-2 with triangulation into an uncontested breakaway! There comes a point in as the play unfolds where (1) passing lanes are no longer available or practical and (2) the “D” therefore slow down their retreat and start to move towards the puck carrier . Once responsibilities have been established, it is time for the goaltender to challenge the high man.

I have seen too many young developing goaltenders not be aggressive in stepping out to take away open net at this point. Some have not received proper training. Some are too immature in their development to understand the importance of managing depth when time is available and the situation calls for it. Yet others over think the play and believe by being out beyond the blue paint they will get “burned” by a pass to the winger down low. Can this happen? Most certainly, and it proves two things: (1) Clear communication must occur between teammates and (2) a systematic approach must be established for common tactical situations by the coaching staff so everyone is “on the same page.” Everyone wants to blame the goaltender but no logically thinking coach would blame his keeper if the “D” are not capable of executing their responsibilities. Furthermore, I am not suggesting that the goalie be excessively aggressive which is ridiculous and ill-advised.

Triangulation is a commonly tactical situation with which all goaltenders must be familiar. There are many variants of the basic scenario describe in this article. However, if things go the way they should from the goaltender’s perspective, the high puck carrier will have to take a shot within a short time of receiving the puck. Goaltenders should realize when this is the case and take an extra step out to reduce some open net for the best players who only need a tiny open target to score.

Copyright The Goalie Magazine - InGoalMag.com

Working with Goaltenders in Practice

by Mitch Korn, Nashville Predators Goaltending Coach

Did you read the December edition of the InGoal Digital Magazine? If you didn’t, you might want to check it out. This week we selected one article to feature here and we’ll do it again in the coming weeks. Click through and have a look – and while you’re there, enjoy the rest of the magazine with feature articles from the NHL, gear reviews and more.

Working with Goaltenders in Practice

You can have the next edition of the magazine delivered right to your inbox – just sign up for the free InGoal News and when it publishes we’ll let you know. In the meantime you’ll get news sent to you each week so you can stay on top off all the developments at InGoal.

Copyright The Goalie Magazine - InGoalMag.com

Roberto Luongo checks for potential scoring threat while playing on his blocker side post. (InGoal File photo)

Looking off the puck (LOTP) is a small but critical element to the success of any goaltender’s game. As the phrase implies, the goaltender takes a very brief opportunity to look away from the puck location to see what potential passing and/or shooting options are available to the puck carrier. The issue is not IF the goalie is going to LOTP but when to do it, with what type of frequency and for what duration of time.

The most common location to find a goaltender in when LOTP is with goal-post integration. The puck will be located either in the (A) QUIET ZONES down low or (B) along the half wall which some refer to as PERIMETER ZONES. In these areas of the defensive zone a puck battle frequently occurs involving two or more players. There is no immediate threat of a shot being taken or of a goal being scored. Hence, this is the perfect opportunity to analyze possible tactical options available to your opponent should they emerge with the puck. LOTP simply employs a technique referred to as “Head-on-a swivel”. The goaltender should look high on the strong side (1), to the slot (2), on the weak side (3) and of course to the back door (4) for the presence of an opposing player and the viability of a passing lane.

As the goaltender moves further from the goal-post (and more towards the top of the crease arc) the available options and tactical complexity increases. In such a scenario the goaltender may have to look to the weak side and down low on both sides (e.g. power play). However, as the complexity of the situation increases, the goalie should also rely on other stimuli to help increase his/her chances of success. These stimuli can be auditory, visual and kinesthetic in origin.

Auditory signals which help with anticipation include the sounds of skates moving, tapping the stick on the ice to receive a pass and of course verbal communication between you and your teammates. Visual signals rely on both central and peripheral vision. Central vision is that object on which the pupil is focused which is viewed clearly. Peripheral vision is everything else within your visual field, and although not entirely in focus, is still providing the brain with information about the location of certain players. Kinesthetic signals basically refer to an inner sense or feeling the goaltender may have about the way a play will develop (i.e., anticipation). Remember, ice hockey is a game of situations and these situations repeat themselves again, again and again. With intelligence and enough playing experience the best goaltenders have a sense of what is going to happen before it actually does! The goaltender always has to respect the puck carrier but can frequently LOTP to see how things have changed. This takes less  than a second at a time. Turning your head on a swivel is not even required as the goalie may just to turn his eyes within the mask for a fraction of a second.

What is it that separates the best from the rest? It is not size, mobility, power, speed, agility, or technique – although these are all required. The two main things are a great competitive spirit and play anticipation. Similar to chess, the world’s greatest goaltenders anticipate plays before then have fully evolved. “Looking off the Puck” and the other types of stimuli to which I have made reference can help any goaltender make better tactical reads and therefore more saves. Remember to LOOK OFF THE PUCK !!

Copyright The Goalie Magazine - InGoalMag.com

In recent articles I have discussed goal-post integration with respect to both stick and trapper positioning options with the goaltender standing on both skates, and also utilizing the V-H technique. However, when teaching goaltenders about goal-post integration we usually without much thought tell them to place their legs on a 45-degree angle to the goal-line. Where does this 45-degree angle come from and is it universally applicable ?

I have yet to read an article that explains the above mentioned teaching point in full; however, let us assume that since the slot is the prime scoring area (due to the best available shooting angles), you want the goalie to be at the top of the crease (or in the area) to reduce these angles of open net. The fastest way to get there is on your feet by performing a T-push in either a straight or curved line (although some would argue that sliding is faster !). This may be close to 45 degrees although I have never thought to measure it. Nevertheless, this is at least the logic I have applied in trying to answer this question myself.

It should be noted though, that pass-outs can be executed to any number of different angles be they to the strong side, high or low slot or anywhere on the weak side including down low. This is why the goaltender must “look off the Puck” to readjust his/her angle specifically to the location of the attacker’s stick blade. This is illustrated in the diagram below:

The diagram illustrates three different points of attack (A,B and C) where the opponent’s stick may be located. A 45-degree integration angle may be correct for an attacker located somewhere in the slot. However, as you can see, the further and lower the opponent’s stick is located on the weak side, the flatter, or lower, the angle between goaltender and goal line must become. This is based on the goaltender’s ability to read the play and make correct adjustments while hugging the post. If the goaltender does not have the correct angle on which to either push off or slide, he/she will neither end up on angle nor be square to the puck. If the goaltender chooses to slide then the length of the slide must also be controlled with excellent edge work. Many young goaltenders make a nice slide to the correct angle but then go past the target point by not controlling their edges. In these cases too much net is frequently left open on one or both sides of the net either by not having adjusted to the correct angle or overplaying the situation.

In conclusion, remember that hockey is very dynamic and that nothing remains the same for more than a few seconds, if that. Goaltenders must constantly be looking at what is going on by looking at the puck and “looking off the puck”. Pass-outs are a common tactical scenario that require goaltenders to readjust their integration angle so they can attack the target both on angle and squarely. Keep working at it.

Thoughts? As always, please hit the comments below!

Copyright The Goalie Magazine - InGoalMag.com

Dallas Goaltender Kari Lehtonen maintains his elbow inside the post on the trapper side. InGoal File photo.

In my last article on goal-post integration  and stick optionsI discussed  basic considerations such as skate positioning and the goal stick itself.  In this article we will discuss trapper positioning options both with the goaltender standing up and when using the V-H technique.

Let us first look at options when standing on your skates.  On the blocker side the traditional teaching is to have to trapper pocket facing the area behind the goal-line.  The purpose is to intercept pucks being passed out to the slot area.  I have caught many pucks in my time but arguably not enough to warrant using this set up.  Why?  First and foremost, most pucks on pass-outs are either pushed directly on the ice (outside the reach of the goalie’s comfortable stick range)  or are saucer passed just a couple of inches off the ice.  With a comfortable and neutral body position on the post, the goaltender will likely not reach these passes but would have to bend down to get them.  Also, depending on the location from which the saucer pass is coming, the goaltender may have to turn further from the front of the net (increasing the angle between goal-post and goal-line)  to reach those passes.  If the pass-out is successful under these circumstances an increased amount of open net will be available to a shooter in the slot.  The goaltender will have to turn the trapper back towards the slot which takes time which may not be available. A more progressive option would have the trapper facing the slot and back door area to begin with (Photo #1).

You forgo the small number of passes you might intercept for the purpose of having your trapper immediately ready for shots if the pass out is successful.

On the trapper-side post, traditionalists will have the trapper on the outside of the goal-post.  Some goaltenders position the trapper and elbow slightly on the inside margin of the post (Photo #2).  I disagree with this.  It can be very restrictive to have your elbow on the inside of the post when, for example,  you want to drop to your knees and cover a puck in close proximity to the post.  It is an error in my opinion but occurs commonly. Most coaches will have the trapper pocket facing the area behind the goal-line.   I am certain I have not caught more than a dozen passes with this approach over my Tier I minor hockey or senior ‘A’ career.  The benefit of this approach probably also becomes marginalized as the players become more proficient with their passing skills and learn your tendencies as a goalie.  A more progressive option is holding the trapper up facing the slot area.

Some goaltending gurus will have their students place their elbow on the inside of the post with trapper covering the surface area immediately under the crossbar for a quick release shot (Photo #3).  I like the idea of having the trapper facing the slot but the overall set up seems uncomfortable to me.

If integrated using V-H technique, trapper options are quite limited.  On the trapper side there is really only one logical location for trapper positioning.  It is on the top of the Vertical pad (Photo #4) to protect that small amount of net available under the crossbar.  On the blocker side, the trapper can be held at any height.

It may be sideways to intercept cross-crease passes (Photo #5)  or facing the slot to make beautiful reactionary-type saves as the goaltender slides out from the post or across the crease.

As mentioned in my previous article on goal-post integration, it is important to be familiar with all available options.  Use that which the situation calls for and that with which you are comfortable and  having success.

Let me know what works and doesn’t work for you and why in the comments section below.

Copyright The Goalie Magazine - InGoalMag.com

With the puck behind the goal line, Philadelphia's Ilya Bryzgalov doesn't bother trying to block a pass out. Scott Slingsby photo.

When discussing goal-post integration there are some constants and a few different options that we all encounter at the rink and at the numerous goaltender specific schools. Here are some constants with which we all likely feel comfortable:

1. The goal-skate is on the inside of the goal-post. Young goaltenders frequently have their skate on the outside of the post which results in them falling as they move away from the goal-post to challenge the Shooter.
2. The post skate should be loaded on its inside edge allowing the goalie to use the edge to push off towards a certain point of attack.
3. The legs should be slightly bent at the knees to load the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups for the purposes of storing energy and power to push off the goal-post.
4. The goaltender should not be cheating or leaning off the post in an effort to gain a lead in heading in another direction. This has always resulted in poor short-sided goals!
5. With respect to the stick, the knob should either be big or small enough that it cannot get stuck in the net’s meshing and the stick should always be on the outside the goal-post so it can remain active if required.

This brings use to more debatable issues including whether the blade of the goal stick, on the trapper or blocker-side post, should be turned to the area behind the net (Photo #1A & 1B) to deflect or intercept a pass-out attempt to the slot. Is this traditional teaching point of much value considering the small number of passes that are actually within the reach of the stick (especially on the blocker-side post which has shorter reach) to intercept or deflect?

A more modern consideration is having the stick blade facing the front of the net (Photo #2A & 2B)

Why? If the pass out is quick and outside the range of deflection with traditional positioning, then additional movement, and hence time, is required to re-position the stick to face the shot. This wasted time may be enough with a quick release shot to sneak through the 5-hole along the ice. This consideration is applicable on both sides of the net.

With the introduction of the V-H technique, goal-post integration has another set of principles and available options. In V-H positioning the stick is placed into cover the ice in the seam between the vertical and horizontal pad. On both sides of the net the stick may be held in an upright position which maintains the blocker in a higher position (Photo #3 A & B).

However, Another option is available on the trapper-side post. Here V-H technique may be used with the stick in a paddle down technique (Photo #4).

This allows the goalie to use V-H while sealing the ice in a fashion similar to a wrap attempt. This is not a bad option if the goaltender is uncertain whether the attacker will attempt a wrap-around or a pass-out. If the pass-out occurs the goalie merely pushes off the post towards the attacker out front while already sealing the ice to the far side of the net with the horizontal pad. The down paddle covers the 5-hole until the drag leg is brought in to create a tight butterfly.

This approach is however not without fault. With a pass-out, a shot taken moderately high to the far side of the net requires the blocker to be raised from the ice surface to make a reactionary-type save. Once again, this takes an extra move and extra time that you may not have. Therefore, if you think the pass-out is more likely to occur than a wrap attempt, you may want to use V-H while maintaining the stick in a vertical position for the aforementioned reason. This requires exceedingly quick decision making by the goaltender.

So what should the modern goaltender do concerning stick positioning as it relates to goal-post integration? I believe the modern goaltender first and foremost should be knowledgeable about all available options. Secondly, they should use what works for them and not for someone else. A lot of practice is required to make this decision. Thirdly, the goalie must remain flexible in the sense that each situation and each game may be slightly different and hence the technique utilized may not be the same all the time!

Please take a look at the different photos of the various approaches and hit the comments section to let me know what you believe is most effective or ineffective for a certain situation and why you believe that to be the case.

Copyright The Goalie Magazine - InGoalMag.com

Tim Thomas Covers the puck. Scott Slingsby photo.

Covering the puck correctly is a pretty basic requirement for ice hockey goaltenders. It allows them to control the flow of the game and get a face-off when this is the best option for their team. There are different ways to cover the puck and doing so incorrectly can have an adverse consequences. I will briefly discuss the basic technical considerations with some photographs for illustration.

Photo #1 illustrates what I believe to be the safest way of protecting the puck.

This technique is used a lot since many shots are taken along the ice. The goaltender is in a butterfly-type position. The 5-hole should be tightly sealed. The goalie will have his/her trapper covering the puck and the stick should be on the outside of the trapper. The stick should be up on its side so that the paddle serves a protective function. The principle behind this technique is that as the attacker is jamming at the puck, the stick will prevent any success while protecting the goalie’s trapper hand from injury.

Photo #2 is the other variant that one commonly sees:

It is not my favourite but I find it to be the one I see the most during minor hockey games. It is used in goal-mouth scrambles (with paddle-down technique) in sealing the ice when the goalie briefly has an opportunity to grab the puck. The only difference is that the trapper is on the outside. The 5-hole is still protected but the trapper is not and I believe it is easier to jam the puck loose from under the trapper glove (Photo #3).

Photo #4 is but a slight variation of the first technique. Here the puck is again covered by the tapper glove but the stick is slightly off the ice. This provides the goalie with the ability to actively push the attacker’s stick blade away from the puck.

Photo #5A & 5B demonstrates a technique made famous by Dominik Hasek. When the puck is on the blocker side of the net Hasek, not infrequently, would drop his stick and just grab the puck with his blocker glove. Not something you see often but all that matters is that you control and/ or stop the puck !! Hasek was obviously not the poster child for conventional goaltending!

Photo #6 demonstrates what I believe a goaltender should do once a nice trapper save has been made. Instead of holding your hand out and admiring your save, pull the glove in towards your body. I have seen attackers come by and swat the puck out the trapper prior to the whistle being blown!

The goaltender can also bring the stick up in a protective fashion and keep an attacker from getting too close (Photo #7).

Photo#8 Lying on your stomach with the goal stick being underneath the torso is also commonly seen with young goalies. The problems with this approach are the following: 1) Since the stick is under the chest it is rendered useless for both sweeping a puck out of the goalmouth or for protecting the trapper glove. 2)The is no vertical net coverage at all so if the puck is jarred loose there is a lot of open net to shoot at. 3)It takes more time to recover from this position for a loose puck than to be in the butterfly and slide laterally to cover the puck or perform an blocking save.

In conclusion, covering the puck properly is a basic skill requirement to be successful. There are some different options and you have to use the one with which you feel most comfortable and have success. Just remember that to not cover the puck adequately with protection can lead to it coming lose as the best players are relentless around the net. Hold on tightly to the puck until you are certain the play has stopped.

Copyright The Goalie Magazine - InGoalMag.com