Pro Tips with Ian Clark Rotational Accuracy: Avoid the Fatal Flaw
- Rotational accuracy is the foundation of efficient goalie recoveries, connecting movements with economy and pace according to Ian Clark.
- The most common rotational flaw happens on 'up' recoveries — goaltenders cheat the rotation because they feel they have more time.
- Proper perpendicular skate placement is the critical checkpoint to diagnose and fix poor rotational habits.
- Clark has coached goalies in over 1,800 NHL games and shaped goaltending instruction worldwide, including federation manuals in Sweden and Russia.
- Monitor rotational habits constantly, but pay closest attention during stand-up recoveries where the flaw is most likely to surface.
InGoal Magazine recently had an opportunity to reconnect with Ian Clark on the ice to shoot instructional content and teaching tips with the long-time NHL goalie coach, whose star pupils include the likes of Roberto Luongo, Sergei Bobrovsky, Jacob Markstrom and Thatcher Demko during his time as goalie coach with the Vancouver Canucks (two separate stints) and Columbus Blue Jackets. Clark has coached goalies in more than 1,800 NHL games and had an even bigger impact on the position beyond that, producing countless pages of instructional content through past projects like From the Crease and Goalie News that had an impact on how goalies were taught all over the world, including concepts and illustrations used in the federation goaltending manuals of Sweden and Russia.
These first Pro Tip videos from Clark involve the importance of rotational accuracy in recoveries:
Join thousands of goalies, parents, and coaches who train smarter with InGoal.
15+ years as the #1 goaltending resource
Already a member? Log in