Some time ago, I attempted to develop 11 “objectives” which would encompass the entire process for coaching the goaltenders for which I was responsible. While these “objectives” are somewhat general and abstract, I have tried to provide some insights and specifics to help those reading understand what each “objective” really means. Follow these . . .
1. Help the goaltenders become as efficient as possible regarding all physical skills and movements. Develop drills to emphazie and isolate those skills. Insure goaltenders are equally strong to their right as to their left (and vice versa). This develops “Muscle Memory”. I am a physical efficiency fanatic. Physical efficiency refers to how the arms and legs work together, how the goalie closes holes, the elimination of sloppy sticks, and eliminating planted back legs. It involves how compact the goalie moves, and how “under control” he is when he moves, makes saves or recovers. The goalie needs to be equally as strong to the left as he is to the right. Most great saves are made within 10 feet of the net and they require the goalie to move while saving. Muscle memory is the consistency of movement...like a baseball pitcher’s motion, all the goaltender’s moves should be second nature.
2. Help the goaltenders be prepared “mentally” with confidence, focus and with their “decision making” abilities. Regardless of physical skills, no goaltender can be an all-star without solid mental skills. We hear about “confidence” all the time. Yes, that’s critical. Goalie coaches have to be psychologists, too! Without confidence, any athlete will struggle. Focus refers to “seeing the puck,” “seeing the ice,” and the overall levels of concentration and intensity. The decision making is what we see . . . What save selection was used? . . . Should the goalie have covered up the puck? . . . How far should the goalie have come out? . . .etc. The use of shot charts and video tape helps “coach” their ability to read and react.
3. Help each goaltender understand his “range” as well as “why” he does certain things. The goalie’s range is his “reach.” That includes how far a stick can poke check, how far one can extend to break-up a centering pass, how far a pad can reach in a half butterfly, what pucks a goalie can reach standing vs. leaving his feet, etc, etc. In addition, I want the goalies to know and understand why they do things in certain situations and how to be consistent with those moves. The more the goaltender understands himself, the more consistent, efficient, and effective he will be.
4. Help the goaltenders be as versatile/agile when moving forward, backward and laterally as when in a stationary position. Be able to execute save selections not only stationary, but while moving forward, backward and laterally. On paper, goaltending should be simple . . . move . . . get set . . . make a save selection. But in reality, that rarely happens. The game is way too fast. Goalies must be able to make save selections, get their “pads down” into half or full butterflies or two-pad slides, while moving under control and efficiently. The goalies that can do this forward, backward and laterally equally as well to the left and right will excel. I call this being “fast and flexible”. These skills are very tough.
5. Help the goaltenders develop the patience to remain on their feet as long as possible. For years goalies have been reminded by every coach to “standup . . . stand-up!” In today’s game, it is not if you leave your feet, but when and how. The how we have already discussed (save selections, physical efficiency, etc.). The when is the timing. If goaltenders leave their feet too early, pucks go over them or around them and into the net. If goaltenders drop too late, pucks often go under them and into the net. The longer a goaltender can stay on his feet, the better chance he has to move to the best position to fill net, make transition, and thus make saves.
6. Help the goaltenders know where their holes are and thus eliminate goals that go through or off them. Improve “closing holes”. The more I watch the more I am convinced that if goalies can curb the number of goals that go in off or through them, they will cut down on goals against dramatically. The first thing is that a goalie has to understand where his holes are! Get a video camera and go onto the ice. Tape the goalie from various angles standing, doing knee drops, half butterflies, etc., to see where the holes are. Make sure the video is taken from ice level and square to the goalie. Areas to look for are... a) Is there a big “6 hole”, the hole under the stick arm between the glove and body? b) Do the goal pads and pants work well together to close these holes when the goalie compacts? c) In the stance, are the goalies “knees locked” thus making it tougher to “close the 5-hole”? d) Does the goalie get the pads down tight to the ice on all half and full butterflies? Is there space for a puck? Is the stick in position? e) When the goalie leaves his feet, does he fall away from the puck? While we strive to eliminate goals which go in through the goalie, don’t think that all 5-hole goals are bad. They are not. It is a very tough area to close, especially from the slot area.
7. Help the goaltenders lesson the number of dangerous rebounds by “seeing the ice” and improving on placing or controlling the puck. Rebound control, whether it is deflecting the puck away from danger, or finding a way to smother the biscuit, is another way of shrinking that goals against average. First, we work on skills of stick control. Drills such as “stick cushioning” where the puck actually stays on the stick, or deflecting pucks through cones which are set up can help.Next, we work on catching pucks which ordinarily might bounce off our pads, and practice trapping pucks on the body, all to eliminate rebounds. We work on angling our pads to deflect rebounds away from danger. Put it all together with a “rebound drill”. One player or coach shoots the puck to create a rebound. One or two players try to score on the rebound. The goalie has to trap the puck, or deflect it away from the rebounder by “reading” his location when the shot is taken.
8. Help each goaltender be productive when moving the puck. Eliminate unnecessary turnovers. Goalies handle the puck today more than ever. They must do drills to help them “read” the forechecking. The defense and forwards have to be schooled on providing the goaltenders with passing lanes, options and outlets. Simply, the goaltender has 5 options when handling the puck. 1) Leave it for a teammate with a good exchange. 2) Make a good pass. 3) Clear the zone by “getting glass”. Avoid the middle of the ice. 4) Cover it if there is traffic and you are in the crease. 5) Dish the puck to a “safe haven” if options 1-4 are not possible.
9. Develop a positive, open, exchanging relationship with each goaltender Trust, that is critical. They must believe in, and trust you. They have to be able to share their perceptions of a play without you (the goalie coach) always being a “Monday morning quarterback”. Challenge them, make them work, demand excellence and accept no excuses but also have empathy and compassion. Know when each goalie needs a “pat on the back” or “hard love.” Everybody is different.
10. Help the Goaltender be “strong” enough and “secure” enough to accept the “responsibility” of the position. To some, accepting that it is a bad goal or that you didn’t carry the team is a show of weakness...wrong. it is a show of strength! Help them see that.
11. Help each goaltender be the best he can be... one day at a time. As a coach we want things perfect, and we want to teach or correct everything at once. It cannot be done. Coaches need patience... a game plan. For example, it’s the first day of algebra class. Does the teacher say “Here is the book (it’s 275 pages)... final exam tomorrow!” Of course not. It takes time to learn the concepts, and through the proper progression, build a foundation. |
