1. STOPPING PUCKS DUMPED IN

 1) Shot on Goal or Just Wide
• get in front of the puck and close all holes
• set the puck up behind the goal line to the left or
right of the net
• set the puck up, let your defenseman have clear
view of it, leave it alone and get back to the net
quickly. Do not over handle the puck!

2) Shot Diagonally Into the Corner, Looking for a
Slot Rebound (called a “cross corner dump”)
• Move away from the front of the net and greet
the puck a few feet from the goal post. This will
eliminate the puck hitting the goalie and going
• Position yourself so you can see the corner and see
up ice . . . don’t turn completely.
• Gain possession, if possible, and set puck up like
#1 above.
• If possession cannot be gained, deflect puck toward
boards, away from slot.

3) Fired Around the Boards (called a “hard around”)
• Make a decision, “DO I GO” or “DON’T I GO.” That has a major effect on how the defense will react. If the goalie goes, the goalie must stop the puck.

KEY POINTS (For pucks fired around the boards)
• Always try to stop the puck in the middle of the back of the net. Leave it there. Do not blindly ”throw the puck” up the boards.
• Never dive or leave your feet.
• Always attempt to leave the puck away from the boards and the net.
• Return to the net consistently . . . so all your defensemen know which way you will be going. Stay tight to the net. I prefer returning from the side from which you came.
• Do not overplay the puck, or move it to your defenseman at the last moment.
• Be smart when moving the pucks back up the boards

THERE ARE FOUR  METHODS
(to stop the pucks fired around the boards)

1) STANCE: On glove side only, when there is a reasonable amount of time.

2) BANGING THE BOARDS: Hurry out, without stopping, hit the boards with a T, or with the side of the pad. The boards stop you. Can be used on both sides.

3) REACH: Using the extended stick on the forehand or backhand or with the hands turned over. Often used when the goalie cannot get there in time, but is quite good with the stick. You could use the forehand for both shots from the left and right.

4) “ROUNDABOUT”: This is where the goalie uses a power turn, stops the puck, but never stops his body, returning to the net from the other side. This is used when the team has no pressure, often a power play situation.

2. MOVING/PASSING THE PUCK
The goaltender must be able to handle and move the puck well. This skill is a must as goalies get older. The ability to clear the zone, put the puck up on the glass, or onto
a teammates’ stick both forehand and backhand is critical.
Be smart. Just sending the puck safely toward the winger or into “open space”
is sometimes enough. Too often, the goalie fires the puck past his teammates,
and ends up in a turnover, and a shot on goal.

• In recent years, goalies changed the methods in which they move the puck.
• Traditionally, the stick glove went to the top (butt end) and the catch glove to the paddle as an anchor, and the skill of moving the puck forehand or backhand was accomplished.

• Recently, goalies have brought the catch glove to the butt end, and stick glove to the paddle, thus “turning their hands over” to move the puck both forehand and backhand.

 THE SOLUTION
• Use the Traditional Method when time is short, and the goalie cannot risk turning his hands over. All goalies should be able to use the Traditional Method.
• As an option, be able to “turn hands over” in less risky situations. Goalies do not have to use this method at all. Personally, I do not like it!
• Learn the one hand sweep pass on the backhand and forehand as well.

3. PADDLE SAVES
(The Paddle is the thick portion of the stick above the blade)

TWO BASIC TYPES
1) PUCKS IN THE AIR TO STICK SIDE
• The paddle is used on shots below the knees to the stick side that cannot be reached by the pad or blocker.
• Requires precision and quality hand-eye coordination on shots in the air.
• Used either standing or in a 1/2 butterfly or skate save motion.
• Extends goaltender’s save range.

2) PADDLE DOWN IN TIGHT
• The paddle must be flush to the ice and all holes created by your arms & legs must be closed.
• This move is used only on “in tight” situations when you have defensive pressure, and the shooter cannot lift the puck or move across the front of the net.
• Stay off belly . . . keep chest and catch glove up.
• Can be used on wrap around situations with defensive pressure.
• Do not overuse this move, or do it too early.
• Avoid paddle down with player on the“off-wing” who can take one step and open up the “long side.”