Breakaway Basics with the Montreal Canadiens
- Waite positions himself just inside the hash marks to simulate a breakaway, with the goalie's starting distance adjusted to individual preferences.
- The drill begins without pucks to isolate movement mechanics — the goalie taps the coach's stick, glides, then reads stick direction to execute a butterfly slide to either post.
- Timing the push as the shooter enters the crease is the critical coaching focus, because that is when most shooters make their final decision.
- Running both phases — without pucks first, then with shots — allows goalies to build clean movement patterns before adding the pressure of a live shot.
- Waite offers a fundamentals video series for young goaltenders available in French and English, both online and on DVD, designed for players without regular goalie coach access.
With the NHL back, InGoal Magazine is delighted to be back in the rinks to bring you behind-the-scenes footage from the best goalies and goaltending coaches in the world, starting with this simple breakaway drill from Stephane Waite of the Montreal Canadiens.
Waite, who won the Stanley Cup twice with the Chicago Blackhawks before moving back home in 2013 in part to work with Carey Price, did this compact version of the old Y Drill with both backup Jake Allen and No.3 Charlie Lindgren after a recent morning skate.
Waite and Allen went over this simple drill with us afterwards, sharing some of the keys for this two-part drill, which started without pucks before adding shots later on.
Waite has a video series for young goaltenders that is especially beneficial for goaltenders who lack access to a regular goalie-coach and need support with their fundamentals. The series is available in both French and English and is available both online and on DVD.
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