Montreal Canadiens 2-on-1 Rebound Drill
- Stephane Waite's 2-on-1 rebound drill replicates a high-frequency NHL game situation where rush shooters intentionally shoot for rebounds.
- The drill combines two principles: backward tempo into the first save, then an immediate power push recovery to address the rebound.
- Taking early ice creates more backward flow into the first save — visible in comparing Charlie Lindgren's approach to Jake Allen's.
- Waite is working to add more backward flow to Allen's game without overhauling his style, illustrating how pro coaches tailor drills to individual goalies.
- Simple drills done with purpose are a consistent theme in professional goaltending — complexity is not required for a drill to be effective at any level.
As we continue to gather and ramp-up production of footage from NHL practices and morning skates from the start of this season for a pending increase in Pro Drills content, we have another to share from Stephane Waite and the Montreal Canadiens.
It’s a simple drill, a consistent theme you will notice with professional goalies and coaches that can serve as a reminder that complex, complicated drills aren’t always better. But it is one that is applicable at all levels, with a combination of retreat and recovery principles worth working on in youth hockey, and a specific situation relevant right up to the NHL.
“We are reproducing a 2-on-1 when the shooter shoots for rebounds,” Waite said. “It happens a lot in game situation now, especially in the NHL, off the rush shooters shoot for rebounds. So, we just want to have that backward tempo and make the stick save, but we pretend that you give up that rebound, so that’s why I had a recovery push, a power push after for a second save.”
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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