CLOSE SHOTS

[Aussie_Goalie]

well i was recentl'y trying out for a new team and alot of there players came in really really clos to take a big slapper and there slappers aren't exactly slow either its just i'm not able to see the puck when they shoot it so i don't have a clue what to do.But they don't come close enough to poke check so i was just wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to stop these shots.

Well, without actually seeing you in action, I can't recommend anything specific, other than remembering the basics:

1. Center yourself on the puck (you'll often hear this referred to as "squaring" yourself to the puck). This way, you use the biggest parts of your body to stop the puck.

In general, you want to make sure that your body is in the direct path between the center of the net and the puck...that way, you've good coverage on both sides of the net.

2. Keep your stick down on the ice.

3. Keep your glove and blocker out -- make yourself as big in the net as you can.

4. Move closer to the puck, if it's safe (i.e., don't set yourself up to get skated around). The closer you move to the puck, the more net you take away, and the bigger you look to the puck.

Chances of stopping a puck you can't see will be greatly improved if you follow the basics. Once you do make the save, just make sure you're ready to play the rebound.

[Aussie_Goalie]

Thanx mike i will try that out and also do u have any goalie stuff that i could read and look off if u do would u mind sending it to australia

There's a lot of goalie books out there, but if you were to only get ONE, then I'd recommend "Hockey Goaltending" by Brian Daccord (1998, Human Kinetics Press). Chapter titles include, "Improving Speed and Quickness," "Setting Up to Make the Save," "Moving In and Around the Crease," and "Challenging the Shooter" (among others).

If you've got an extra 50 bucks laying around, you may also want to order Jim Park's video, "The Puck Stops Here" (Jim Park Goalie School, Phone (905) 881-4093). It's a bit dated, but overall, it's a fine video.

Anybody else have any recommendations?

[claydo]

If you're looking for off-ice drills try Tretiak's "The Art of Goaltending". It's loaded with off-ice drills helping quickness, flexibibity, strengh, etc. I highly recommend it.

claydo

Those in close slappers are a treat. Sometimes they hurt but they're easy to save. Just come out and choke down the angle, and lay down a tight butterfly or jsut clamp the pads together. They won't have anything to shoot at and they'll hit yeah or zing 'em wide.

As a shooter skates in past the slot (between the circles, in the maddle) his angle decreases rapidly. If their coming much past the slot then they're doing half you're work for you. If you do the other half then they have no chance.

AB

[daemyn75]

Never say never Aaron anything is possible.

[CKeelty]

Best thing--stand up, squeeze your pads into a wall (no 5-hole) and skate forward fast as he winds up. MOST players won't ever pull out of a slapper, and he'll have absolutely nothing to shoot at. You'll see Richter, Beezer, Dafoe, MacLean, Vernon, and even sometimes Roy or Hasek do this. It's the old "stand-up" method, but in this case it's best.

Second best thing--a hard, fast, power-butterfly slide. Keep that 5-hole shut tight, glove and blocker up and out by your sides to make you as wide as possible, and slide at the shooter. Again, as he winds up. This is what you'll see MOST goalies do nowadays. It's inferior because it's nearly impossible to take away the top corners (which you do easily with the stand-up method) and you can't react as well if he CAN pull out and fake that shot.

Either way, though, it should be an easy save if you play it right. Good luck.

Chris