Hockey, the game that has it all: crisp snow, competition, and of course, the slap shot. If you’ve ever watched an NHL game, then you know exactly what I mean. Even if you’ve only watched hockey in movies, you know what I’m talking about. It’s pretty cool actually being able to experience this unique game first-hand. But alas, despite the beauty of the game, it can be pretty difficult to actually beat a goalie in hockey. There’s a reason why every team has one — he might be the best player on the ice.
So how can you beat a goalie in hockey? Fortunately for you, I’m here to tell you exactly how.
Table of Contents
Study The Tricky Tots
While you may never encounter a goalie in your life, you’ll surely encounter some of the tricky tots (teens / twenty-somethings) that dot the NHL. Like all other positions on the ice, goaltending is about strategy, technique, and maybe most importantly, a little bit of luck. With that in mind, it’s important to study the habits of successful goalies so that you can beat them. The following are just some of the things that you need to know in order to beat a goalie:
Know The Position
Even though you may not have played hockey before, you probably know enough about it to realize that goaltending is mostly about positioning. Like all other positions on the ice, the goalie’s position depends on the direction of the game. If the game is in either the offensive or defensive direction, then the goalie will be in the netminder position. However, if the game is in a zonal format (faceoff circles), then the goalie will be in the butterfly position. As the name implies, the butterfly position is when the goalie is in the air, hovering above the ice. When he dives down to catch a puck, he’ll be in neutral position.
Being in the right position is vitally important when it comes to beating a goalie. Offensive and defensive hockey have quite different strategies, so you may want to consider which one you’ll use when beating a particular goalie. For example, if you’re playing against a common goalie, then you may want to opt for the offensive strategy since it’s generally more effective against spread-out formations.
Know Your Advantage
Since goaltending is about positioning, it’s important to have an idea of what you possess that can help you out. One of the primary advantages that you have is that you’re stronger than the goalie. In fact, you’re probably stronger than the entire opposing team. Think about it: the goalie is only as good as the players around him allow him to be. So if you can beat the other players, then you’ve got a chance at beating the goalie. Another advantage that you have is that you’re faster than the goalie. This is especially important if you opt for the offensive strategy and he decides to spread out to stop your attack.
Watch For Timing
Timing is extremely important in hockey, especially when it comes to beating a goalie. This is because goalies have a tendency to make many fantastic saves at times when the opposing team is attacking. As a result, they end up over-extending themselves, which leaves room for a counter-attack. This is when you want to step up and take advantage of your opponents’ over-commitment. The key is to find the right time to attack.
So if you can identify a moment when the goalie is a little bit over-extended, then that’s the time to pounce. Otherwise, it may be a good idea to sit and wait until the next attack, which may occur at any moment.
Use Your Stick
The first thing that you need to do to beat a goalie is to find a way to hit him, or her, with the puck. Once you’ve got it, it’s important to use your stick to direct it towards the goal. You don’t need to be delicate with it; instead, just bang it down and hope for the best. This is generally what hockey video games are made for, so it’s no wonder that most people enjoy playing them.
Know Your Limitations
Just because you’re stronger and faster than the goalie, it doesn’t mean that you’re invincible. There are certain things that you can’t do, which the goalie can. For example, if you’re playing against a common goalie, then you can’t just jump over the net and start swinging your arms around. The goalie will just laugh at you.
Study The Formation
One of the most basic but effective strategies in hockey is to break down the opposing defenses. This can be done in a number of ways, but one of the simplest and most effective tactics is by means of a snipe. A snipe is when you steal the puck from the defense and move it towards the net quickly before the defense has a chance to regroup. If you get the puck in the right position, then you have a good chance of beating the goalie. This is because the goalie will have to move to stop the puck, leaving him vulnerable.
Change Directions Quickly
In hockey, quick changes in direction are extremely important. If the goalie can’t follow your sudden movements, then he’ll have a hard time keeping up. This is why he usually prefers to stay in one place and stop shots, rather than chase after the puck. In order to beat a goalie, you need to be able to change directions quickly and unexpectedly. This may be difficult if the defense is expecting your next move, but you can still squeak by with a little bit of planning and quick thinking.
Use Your Head
Believe it or not, a goalie’s main defense is his head. This is because they have a tendency to peek over the top of the net to see what’s going on. Due to this, a lot of the time, a headshot is all that’s required in order to put the puck in the net. You don’t always have to shoot it perfectly; just get a lucky shot on net and see what happens. This way, you not only score a goal but you also prevent the goalie from interfering with your net.
Know Where To Look
When you’re playing hockey, you can never be in too much detail. This is because there are always other things to be doing. However, even if you’re not looking directly at the puck, you’re still able to see the effects of your shots. If you know where to look, then you can see where the puck is going and adjust your gameplay accordingly. This is why it’s important to always keep your eyes open and scan the ice for signals and tips.
Utilize Deke Moves
Yes, hockey is a highly-skilled sport, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to learn new tricks. There are a few basic moves that every goalie must know. One of the simplest and most effective deke moves is the stretch move. When you perform a stretch move, you stand in the middle of the crease and extend your stick either to the left or right, depending on the direction of the puck. You then twiddle your hands near the puck as you push off one of the defenders and begin your sprint to the net.
An even simpler but still effective deke move is the paddle shift. Instead of using your hands, you simply place them on the ground and push off with your legs on the way to the net. To perform a paddle shift, you need to be in a prone position with both arms resting on the ice. While you’re in this position, you can push off with your arms and legs to sprint to the net.
These are just some of the things that you need to know in order to beat a goalie. Following these tips should put you a step closer to your goal of becoming the next NHL superstar. Good luck out there.