Game Preperation

I am looking for suggestions concerning game preparation. My son is a second year squirt goalie. He generally has excellent results except for shots during the first two or three minutes of a game. Teams are given 3 minutes of on ice warmup prior to games which I know is not enough. Any successful techniques out there?

Three minutes is the normal warm-up period at the rink I play at and it really helps to have a set ritual. I always get dressed, head out to the rink, skate around twice, do a few stretches, than for the remainder of the time get shot on. That prob. won't help... but... =)

[robbf]

Try having him use a couple different routines and see what works for him, some kids like to be around their teammates, some don't. Some like lots of help getting ready with their gear, some don't. Make some mental notes if something really seems to work for him (or likewise if it really does not) and ask him about the pre game prep after the game when he can give it some thought. I would certainly get him to the rink early so he can get warmed up and stretched out before getting into his gear, then we he hits the ice he will be ready to take a few shots and get the feel of the puck. Once he has success with a 'system' and begins to apply it over time his confidence will start to show.

One thing that could be a factor is how that few minutes of warmup is being used. If your son's team is like most, the guy line up with pucks and skate in on him and blast away. This does not help him get to used to seeing shots come him. Have him ask to take a couple long-med range shots before they start skating in.

I usually get to the locker room an hour before faceoff. I spend the first 15 min or so stretching out and warming up a bit, then I methodically get dressed. I do everything the same way, every time, so no thought is involved in dressing. I spend that time thinking about my last game, or something I am not doing well.

I concentrate on situations shots I took, how I could have prevented any goals scored.
I stretch my legs out after I have my pants and pads on.

Once I am dressed I sit and play with a puck for a few minutes. Tossing it from one hand, into my catcher.

I usually walk out early, before the team, and watch the zamboni do the ice. I try and step out as soon as he makes the last pass.. and take a few laps half ice. I then make my "little nest in the crease" and take some shots.

I try to tell my teammates to take soft to medium strength shots increasing as they move back away from the net. I will NOT attempt to stop dekes, or breakaways unless it is the last shot I am going to take.

[Aaron]

On Sundays when I play with my buddies, I have them take longer shots first, then move in. They like to do some 2 on 0 against me, and I ususally don't even try to stop them. It doesn't do anything for me except ruin my confidence and make me tired. I always tell them, "Yea you guys are a couple of tough guys 2-0, wait till we start the game and there's someone back".

[Bryan]

If you've only got 3 minutes, they shouldn't waste time by doing breakaway type shots. Have the shooters stand at the top of the circle and rapid fire. No moving in, no long range shots either, unless you have time at the end of the warm-up.

[Timberwoof]

I find that if I can do all my basic moves during the warmup, then they will happen during the game. If the team just starts firing killer slap shots at me, I get frustrated and the game goes badly. If they start slow and speed up -- its a "warm-up", get it? -- I do much better.

Training a team to give good warmup is difficult, but generally the better the team, the better the warmup they can do ... and vice-versa.

Players generally see the goalie as the enemy ... they need to me taught that their own goalie is their friend, and do their part to help during his warmup. If I get the chance to coach a team, I will teach them a good warmup routine.