The Poke Check

[Aaron]

Wow tonight during my drop-in hockey I FINALLY got to use the poke check. I've been watching many goalies at the rink and I noticed that almost NONE of them EVER poke check. I think I've seen maybe 1 guy, but that's it. I have been trying to do it, but ususally the shooter on a breakaway doesn't get that close for me to do it. I tried to turn this into an advantage for me, since the shooters weren't used to a goalie doing it.

Tonight was another story I had 4 breakaways on me and a 2 on 0. I poke-checked the puck from 2 breakaway shooters, stopping them.

Then the coup-de-grace! I've been Jonesing to do this for a LONG time...Both skaters were all alone coming in on me and the puck was to my left. I slowly skated backwards into my net playing the shooter, and just as the skater passed it across the slot, I lunged out with my paddle and stopped the cross pass dead on my stick. I was elated!

The best part was after the game as I was leaving, 2 guys who had played and one of their g/f's were standing talking. As I came up behind (unknown to them) one guy said "That goalie down there (my end) was awesome! We couldn't buy a goal unless it went up high" Ah, now the deep thigh bruise I got from a slapshot doesn't hurt as much..*OWIE*

[This message has been edited by Aaron (edited September 24, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Aaron (edited September 24, 1999).]

Me gusta mucho el poke check...

[This message has been edited by Badgerit (edited September 25, 1999).]

damn it...oops...everyone ignore this message...it's a figment of your imagination...

[This message has been edited by Badgerit (edited September 25, 1999).]

[TartanBill]

Way to go Aaron!

Just curious, on plays like this, do you mentally "see" or "visualize" the play before it occurs? I do, and I don't see any reason I should be special, but I have never thought thought to ask this before.

IMHO the use of the poke and sweep is the most important stickwork a goalie can learn.

You have clearly been thinking this through, so I will give you another point to ponder. A fencer like "thrust" directly at the puck can be effective in some circumstances, but is more easily avoided than a "sweeping" motion.

Another under used variant of this technique is to block/deflect centering passes. I have played pick up with the same group for years, they are savvy to the poke check, but they STILL keep trying to center the puck where I can reach it. But then everyone says I have arms like a monkey.

[Aaron]

Yes Tartan, I visualize the pass coming. It's just that I ususally never get into the situation too much to use it often.

I play pickup with the same guys every Sunday. And they always try a centering pass from behind the net. I'm pretty good at deflecting the pass. One thing I picked up from "On Goaltending" by Plante is that he keeps the stick blade sticking out the side of the net, rather than waiting for the pass to try and intercept it. I've been trying this too, and I must admit it is very discouraging for the shooter behind the net. Depending on where he is, it's a good deterrent to him.

I use the fencing thrust once in awhile, but it sure seems that the shooters don't like to get in that close. I like it when they come in hard from a sharp angle in close. Then all you have to do is sweep your stick, and you poke it away almost every time

I use the thrust a lot on breakaways (when the players will come in close) because, as has been said, they usually don't encounter pokechecks all that often. Even if I miss, I split my legs out and place a big fat legpad strategically in his path...The sweep is great when you have a two-on-zero and the puck carrier comes down your glove side. I play it like a normal breakaway but use a pad stack as the carrier gets in close (and I angle him towards the corner) so he thinks I'm totally vulnerable to a pass...then, as he makes the pass, my stick magically extends, taking away the pass...and the crowd goes wild....

[Bernie]

Congratulations Aaron, sounds like this aggressiveness is working for you.

I, being more of a passive goalie, have not had nearly such success over the long term with this technique though, and I think you may eventually agree as your playing level increases. The problem with diving out to stop a centering pass is that if you attempt it and miss, there is almost 100% chance of them scoring. But if you move across and try to stay in front of the puck however, they don't get a totally empty net to shoot at and I beleive in the long run I do much better that way. Of course, if I can COMFORTABLY reach to deflect a pass or place my stick to deter the pass in the first place (especially centering from behind the net) I always do that, but as for "going for broke" to stop the pass, it just doesn't work for me anymore.

So I'm saying, it's great that it's working for you, and of course you should keep doing it, but I think in a few years you may be changing your mind!

Bernie

[robbf]

Hey Aaron, sounds like the kind of game that makes you keep coming back! I was curious about how you place your stick to stop the centering pass from behind the net, I have a habit of getting squared up to the post on my glove side and then "reaching over" with my stick/blocker and keeping the blade of the stick at about 45' from the goal line with about a 110-115' slant to the blade as well. Most guys don't even pay attention to the stick until their pass hits the blade of my stick and sometimes deflects up and head hunts their own guy trying to pick up the garbage in front of the net ! What technique do you use for this setup ?

[Aaron]

When I place the stick to deter the pass, I stand with my foot against the post if it's on my glove side. Then I place the blade of the stick OUTSIDE the post, parallel with the goal line. Of course the shooter can see the stick, and it makes him think twice about the pass. When on the blocker side, it's a bit difficult to do the same with the stick, but you just don't stand up against the post. This technique works good if he's directly behind the net. If he's farther out, I don't do it. I'll keep my blade pointing straight out away from me, so if he attempts a pass across closer in I can easily reach it. I dunno, it's just something I've picked up and have sorta stuck with.

I find the stick is almost a "bell-weather" move. When I use it, I'm usually aggressive. When, I don't it's because i'm tentative and I'll suck.

Popping that stick out on a guy trying to skate across really leaves an impression on him. You very often trip him up and send him flying... next time, he'll think twice and that gives you the initiative.

Also, it really helps defend your crease. It's way easier to defend on a breakaway when you know the guy isn't gonna crash. Limits his options.