How To Be A Good Goalie In Ice Hockey?

Being a goalie in ice hockey is a challenging task. It requires more than just being able to stop the puck. You need to have the right positioning, understand your angles, master rebound control, develop quick reflexes, and communicate effectively with your teammates.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran or just starting, there are always ways to improve your game. In this article, we will share tips and tricks on how to be a good goalie in ice hockey. By following these strategies, you can elevate your game and become a better goalie.

So, if you want to learn the secrets to becoming a top-tier goalie, keep reading!

Proper Positioning

One of the most important skills a goalie needs to master is proper positioning. It’s essential to always be in the right position to make a save, as even the slightest deviation can mean the difference between a save and a goal. As a goalie, you need to be aware of the positioning of the puck, the players on the ice, and your own movements. Proper positioning can help you make more saves, control rebounds, and reduce the number of goals you concede.

When it comes to positioning, it’s crucial to know how to read the play. This means understanding where the puck is, where it’s going, and where the other players are on the ice. If you can anticipate where the play is going, you’ll be in a better position to make a save. Good positioning also means keeping your body in the right position to make the save. This means keeping your weight balanced and centered, and having your stick and pads in the right place.

Another important aspect of proper positioning is staying square to the puck. This means facing the puck with your body square to it, so that you can make a save with any part of your body. If you’re not square to the puck, you’re leaving parts of the net open, and making it easier for the opposition to score. Staying square also means being aware of the angles and positioning of the other players on the ice, so that you can make the right decision and stay in the right position.

Mastering proper positioning can take time and practice, but it’s an essential skill for any goalie. By staying aware of the puck and the players on the ice, keeping your body in the right position, and staying square to the puck, you can make more saves and reduce the number of goals you concede.

Stay Square to the Puck at All Times

1. Anticipate the Play: As a goalie, you need to read the play and anticipate where the puck is going to go. This allows you to move into the proper position to make the save.

2. Focus on Your Feet: Keep your feet set and square to the puck, and avoid getting caught flat-footed. This allows you to move quickly and efficiently, giving you a better chance to make the save.

3. Use Your Stick: Your stick is an essential tool for proper positioning. Use it to help guide your movements and maintain your angle to the puck.

4. Practice Makes Perfect: Proper positioning takes practice, so make sure to work on your technique during drills and in-game situations. With time and effort, you can develop a strong sense of positioning that will make you a better goalie.

Staying square to the puck at all times is critical for a goalie’s success. By anticipating the play, focusing on your feet, using your stick, and practicing proper positioning techniques, you can improve your game and become a more effective goalie.

Master Your Rebound Control

As a goalie, mastering your rebound control is essential to ensure that the puck doesn’t land in the wrong hands. When making saves, make sure to direct the puck to a safe area of the ice, away from the opposing team’s forwards. Control over where the puck ends up after a save is critical, as it can set the tone for the rest of the game.

Another way to master your rebound control is to work on your stickhandling skills. When you make a save, use your stick to control the puck and guide it to a safe location. This will give your defense time to reset and prevent any quick rebounds that can lead to a goal. Stickhandling is a fundamental skill for goalies, and the more you practice, the better you will become.

Lastly, communication with your defense is key to mastering rebound control. Your defense should know where you like to direct rebounds, and you should know where they want you to direct them. Communication can prevent confusion and ensure that everyone is on the same page, working together to keep the puck out of the net.

Direct Rebounds to the Corners

One of the most important things you can do to master your rebound control is to direct rebounds to the corners of the ice, away from the front of the net. This will help reduce the number of scoring opportunities for the opposing team and give your defense time to regroup.

When a shot is taken, you should always be aware of where the puck is likely to go if you don’t make the save. By positioning yourself correctly and using your stick and body, you can redirect the puck to the corners with greater ease.

Practice your rebound control in drills specifically designed for this purpose, and pay attention to where the puck is going when you make a save. With time and experience, you will become better at directing rebounds where you want them to go.

Understand Your Angles

Understanding your angles is a key component to being a successful goaltender in ice hockey. It is important to know where you are in relation to the net and the shooter at all times. Being in the right position can mean the difference between making a save and giving up a goal.

One way to improve your understanding of angles is to study game footage. Pay attention to the position of the goaltender in different scenarios and how they adjust to different shots. This will help you to recognize patterns and anticipate where you need to be on the ice.

Another important factor to consider is the positioning of your body. The way you angle your body can affect the size of the net that is exposed to the shooter. It is crucial to make yourself as big as possible while still maintaining mobility and the ability to move quickly from side to side.

Additionally, understanding angles can help you with your decision-making. You need to be able to determine whether to come out to challenge the shooter or stay back in the net, based on the angle of the shot and the position of the shooter on the ice.

Lastly, practice is key to improving your understanding of angles. Spend time working on your footwork and positioning in different scenarios, such as breakaways, odd-man rushes, and shots from the point.

Play Deeper in the Net on Breakaways

Breakaways can be a nightmare for goalies. You’re left alone to defend against the opposing team’s best player with little to no help from your defensemen. To increase your chances of stopping a breakaway, you need to play deeper in the net. This will give you more time to react to the shooter’s movements and make it harder for them to score.

Playing deeper in the net also allows you to take away more of the lower part of the net, making it harder for the shooter to score on the ice. If you play too far out of the net, the shooter can easily lift the puck over your pad and into the net.

It’s important to note that playing deeper in the net doesn’t mean you should be passive or reactive. You still need to be aggressive and challenge the shooter when they get closer to the net.

Adjust Your Depth Based on the Shooter’s Location

One important aspect of understanding your angles as a goalie is knowing where the shooter is on the ice. If the shooter is on the outside of the faceoff circle, you should be out at the top of the crease to cut down the angle. If the shooter is closer to the middle of the ice, you should be further back in your net.

Another thing to keep in mind is the position of the shooter’s body. If the shooter is squared up to the net, you want to be squared up to them. If they’re angled to one side or the other, you want to be positioned to cut off the angle to the side of the net they’re favoring.

As the play develops and the shooter moves, you’ll need to be constantly adjusting your depth and angle to ensure you’re in the best position to make the save. This requires quick thinking and a deep understanding of the game.

Finally, it’s important to note that your depth in the net will also depend on your size and reach. If you’re a taller goalie with a longer reach, you can afford to be deeper in the net and still make saves on shots to the corners. If you’re a smaller goalie, you’ll need to be more aggressive and come out of your net to cut down angles.

Stay Inside the Blue Paint to Cut Down Angles

One of the most important aspects of goaltending is cutting down the shooter’s angle. This means staying in the right position to make the save as easy as possible. A great way to accomplish this is by staying inside the blue paint, which is the painted area in front of the net.

When you stay inside the blue paint, you force the shooter to make a more difficult shot, as they have less net to shoot at. Additionally, staying inside the blue paint allows you to control your rebounds more effectively, since you can better predict where the puck will go after a save.

However, it’s important to note that you don’t want to stay too deep in the net, as this can give the shooter more room to shoot. It’s all about finding the right balance and adjusting your depth based on the situation.

By staying inside the blue paint, you can significantly improve your chances of making the save, and ultimately, winning the game.

Develop Quick Reflexes

Use Reaction Drills: To improve your reflexes, incorporate reaction drills into your training. This can include using reaction balls, working on glove saves or pad saves, and practicing lateral movements to react to shots coming from different angles.

Work on Your Hand-Eye Coordination: Good hand-eye coordination is essential for any goalie. Use drills such as juggling or ball tosses to improve your hand-eye coordination and reaction time.

Visualize Shots: Visualization is a powerful tool that can help you improve your reaction time. Picture different shots coming at you and visualize yourself making the save. This can help you anticipate where the puck will go and react more quickly.

Stay Focused: In addition to physical training, mental focus is critical for quick reflexes. Stay focused on the game and be prepared to react quickly to any situation. Keep your eye on the puck and be ready to move at a moment’s notice.

Practice Hand-Eye Coordination Drills

Tennis Ball Drills: Tennis balls are a great tool for hand-eye coordination. Stand about 10 feet away from a wall and have someone throw tennis balls against the wall. Try to catch the balls as they rebound. Vary the speed and angle of the throws to challenge yourself.

Reaction Ball Drills: Reaction balls are small, rubber balls that bounce unpredictably. Throw the reaction ball against a wall and try to catch it as it bounces back. This drill helps develop quick reflexes and reaction time.

Juggling Drills: Juggling involves keeping multiple objects in the air at the same time. Start with juggling two balls and work your way up to more. This drill helps improve hand-eye coordination and reaction time.

Vision Training Drills: Vision training involves exercises that help improve visual skills like depth perception and peripheral vision. One example is to hold a small object like a pen at arm’s length and focus on it while also trying to be aware of your surroundings.

By practicing these hand-eye coordination drills, you can develop quick reflexes that will help you react to shots faster and make more saves.

Communicate With Your Teammates

Communication is a key factor in any team sport, and hockey is no exception. As the goaltender, you have a unique perspective on the game, and it’s important to use that perspective to help your teammates. Here are some tips on how to effectively communicate on the ice:

Be Clear and Concise: When communicating with your teammates, it’s important to be clear and concise. Use simple, direct language to convey your message, and avoid using jargon or slang that might confuse your teammates.

Use Non-Verbal Cues: In addition to verbal communication, you can also use non-verbal cues to communicate with your teammates. For example, you can use your stick or glove to point out where you want your teammates to be on the ice.

Stay Positive: When communicating with your teammates, it’s important to stay positive and encouraging. Avoid criticizing your teammates or getting frustrated when things don’t go as planned. Instead, focus on offering constructive feedback and working together to improve.

Call Out Screens and Traffic in Front of the Net

As a goaltender, it is essential to communicate with your teammates to ensure that you have a clear view of the puck. Screens and traffic in front of the net can obstruct your vision and make it difficult to track the puck, so it’s crucial to call them out. Your teammates can help by blocking the opposing team’s forwards and making sure they don’t interfere with your line of sight.

When you see a player setting up in front of the net, you can call out the screen by yelling “Screen!” or “Traffic!” This will alert your teammates to the situation and let them know that they need to clear the area around the net. Your communication will help your team defend against the opponent’s attack and give you a better chance of making a save.

It’s also important to communicate with your defensemen when they are battling in the corner or in front of the net. By letting them know where opposing players are, they can make better decisions about where to move the puck and how to position themselves defensively. Effective communication can help your team to stay organized and defend against the opposing team’s offensive strategy.

Direct Your Defensemen to Clear Loose Pucks

As a goaltender, it’s crucial to direct your defensemen to clear any loose pucks in front of the net.

One effective way to do this is to communicate with them using clear, concise language that they can easily understand.

Make sure to also establish eye contact with your defensemen to ensure that they understand your instructions.

It’s also important to thank your defensemen when they successfully clear the puck. This will help to build a positive relationship and reinforce good behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions