Hockey is a popular sport all over the world, played by people of all ages. If you’ve ever seen the Winter Olympics you’d know how important it is for the country to win as many matches as possible. Aside from the fact that hockey is one of the only sports that allow players to grow facial hair, it also provides a great deal of mental stimulation. However, if you’re looking for a sport that you can pick up easily and be able to enjoy, then maybe consider another option. Perhaps you should look into becoming a goalie instead!
Although it might seem like it’s easy enough just to stand in front of the net and stop the puck from going in, it’s actually a lot more complex than that. If you’re looking to become a goalie, then here’s a detailed guide on how to do it properly.
Train Hard
The first and most important step to becoming a good goalie is to train hard. The best way to do this is by practicing with a ball or similar objects that move around quickly. This will help you improve your reflexes quickly and ensure that your body is in the right condition for the position. Aside from that, you should also focus on strengthening your legs and arms as much as possible so that you can hold your spot even when the puck is coming at you at full speed. After all, the last thing you want is to lose your spot due to a weak link!
One of the best things about hockey is the variety of shots that you’ll see from different teams. For instance, you might see a slapshot from one team, while another team goes for a saucer pass. The important thing to keep in mind is that while some shots are easy to stop, others are quite the opposite. Train hard so that you’re able to handle any type of shot that comes your way!
Watch Film
Once you’ve trained hard and are ready to make the next step, it’s time to hit the books (or the internet). The next best thing to actually being there are the films. When watching film, it’s important to focus on the details. For example, do you notice how the attacker’s hands are positioned before the shot? Or do you see the ball going in from a completely different direction than expected? The answer to both of those questions will help you figure out how to stop the shot and which technique to use based on the situation.
Watching film is essential as it will show you all the little details that you might have missed during your training sessions. Additionally, it will also help you identify weaknesses in your game that you might not have been aware of. Being able to watch film is also important because it provides you with a clearer picture of how the professionals on the team you’re studying handle certain situations. This will help you decide which methods to use and how much effort you should put into each one.
Understand The Footwork
One of the first things that you’ll learn when watching film is how to work the pads of your hands. Pads are an important part of hockey because they help prevent injuries to the wrist and arm from when hitting the puck or blocking an easy shot. Working the pads of your hands is something that you need to learn to do correctly so that you can block a variety of shots with confidence. As a beginner, it’s best to start off with open ice and work your way up to the padless goalie position as you gain more experience.
Learn The Position
The next step after learning how to work the pads of your hands is to learn the position. The best way to do this is by watching film from different angles. One of the things that you’ll learn is where your arms should be positioned relative to your body when in each position. It’s important to learn the position properly otherwise, you’ll end up with bad habits that could potentially hurt you when it comes time to play. For example, if you always put your arms down by your sides when in the butterfly position, then you’ll end up putting yourself at a disadvantage when defending a high shot as your arms are already down by your sides when the puck arrives. Learning the position also means having a clear understanding of how each one of the postures affect your performance as a goalie.
Learn The Different Stances
Once you’ve mastered the position, it’s time to learn the different stances. There are four different stances that you’ll need to know how to properly take on the ice. The first two are the standard goalie stances: the squat and hip-hop positions. The other two are adopted when you’re anticipating a high shot: the butterfly and the stand-up positions. When in the butterfly position, your arms are down to your sides and you’ve lowered your head slightly in preparation for the shot. As the name would suggest, the stand-up position is just the opposite: your arms are up in the air as you take an aggressive posture.
The best way to learn the different stances is by taking a look at the movements of the puck as it comes toward you. Once you’ve learned how to position yourself in a way that makes it easy for you to stop the puck, it’s time to move up a level and learn how to play against other goaltenders.
Practice
Finally, it’s time to practice. Even though you’ve already learned a lot from the books and films, nothing stops you from improving your skills randomly on the ice. When practicing, it’s important to focus on what you need to work on rather than what you did well on previously. For instance, if you’re working on your padwork, then it might be a good idea to focus on that rather than trying to replicate the movements you saw in the film. This will help you eliminate bad habits and develop a clear understanding of how each move should be performed.
Once you have this clear understanding, it’s time to put what you’ve learned into practice. Never hesitate to ask questions if you don’t understand something. Although it might seem like common sense, asking questions can help you figure things out quicker than trying to figure it out yourself. Additionally, practicing on a regular basis will ensure that your body is in the right condition for the position. There’s no quick fix when it comes to becoming a good goalie, but if you put in the work, then there’s no question that you’ll succeed.