Pro Drills with Michael Lawrence

Michael Lawrence introduced us to his concept of a “Holding Feet” stance almost four weeks ago with a breakdown and explanation video detailing how it built on the popular concept of adopting a narrow stance by eliminating problems associated with it.

Since then, we’ve added two drills (with video) showing you how to teach and practice it. 

The first drill was designed to get goalies comfortable with the concept. The second drill incorporated medicine balls that helps build trust in their ability to get to the ice while also repping out the mechanics and feeling in the legs. 

This third and final drill in the “Holding Feet Stance” series takes the medicine ball out of the equation and adds a more challenging pass option for the goalie to manage. That said, with more time and goalies who are new to this, Lawrence would recommend starting this drill with the medicine ball and shots along the ice to let the goalies build feel and confidence before opening things up for shooters like he did in Drill 3 below.

Before we get to the video, a reminder this series is designed to help goalies find a “Holding Feet” stance that allows them to maintain the benefits associated with a “tall” or “narrow” stance — the ability to maintain good lateral movements being the main one — but still be able to make saves from it, something many are struggling with from an upright stance.