Hockey Goalie Resource

So many goalies that I see, even goalies with a lot of experience, make the mistake of not getting their feet set before the shot is released. By setting your feet, I mean making sure your feet are planted with equal weight distribution on both feet…no movement and no gliding. This is very important for you to make sure that you give yourself a chance to react to the shot. If it is anything other than a breakaway or some type of desperation situation you should make sure that when you see that a shooter is going to shoot, that you stop moving all together. If you have too much weight on one leg, a problem that can happen is that you get handcuffed, so to speak, by the shot if it comes in the direction of that let and you have a harder time reacting to the shot. This usually ends up looking like a bad goal that the hockey goalie should not have ever let in.

• Step #1 - Don’t ever complain about not being the starting goalie to anyone - Once you start complaining to your teammates the word will get to your coach. Don’t vocalize the fact that you aren’t starting, just wait patiently for your opportunity to become the starting hockey goalie. Coaches will definitely put you in their dog house if you do start complaining. Also make sure to support the starting goalie, this is very important for the team.
• Step #2 - Make sure you are visibly the hardest worker on the ice at all times - Coaches love hard working goalies. Goalies who get to practice early and stay late will get noticed as someone who is very motivated and wants to work to improve their game. Never stop working, never stand around, and unless the coach tells you to take a knee…never sit or or take a knee on the ice.
• Step #3 - There are no goalies who are perfect, the starting goalie will get pulled eventually and its your job to be ready to go when he or she does - Make sure that you are focused and ready to go in at anytime. This is your big opportunity to show what you can do, so don’t blow it. BE READY!