Arm Strengthining

[Aussie_Goalie]

Well whenever i wanna play the puck out further than i actually can its a real bitch cause when i don't pass it to an open winger i get told off by the coach and team so i was just wondering how to strengthin my right arm quickly cause i hate getting yelled at it makes me play a bad game.

[Ryano42]

Shooting/passing the puck, mate? That's what you mean?

I'm afraid all you can do is practice! Not that long ago, I could not get the damn thing out of my zone. Now after A LOT of practice I can put it in the other goal on one hop! I took a long time and a lot of mistakes.

Try to get some time alone during a practice with a bunch of pucks and pick targets. Shoot some along the ice and loft some. Just take as many as possible.

And tell you DAMN coach to back off! Can he do it? Do you want me to go down there and talk to him!?!? Jeeeez!

[Aussie_Goalie]

Thanz Ryano damn that sux that can't do anything else really and i think u might need to talk to my coahc cause he also keeps telling me not to butterfly cause it'll let too many shots thru and me and him have this huge argument bout it i say it's alot better than stand up for break aways and he says no stay back ur net and stand up don't slouch too much he's just a total dumbass.Any thoughts??

[Kuzma]

Tell him to f*** off and find himself a new goalie.

[This message has been edited by Kuzma (edited December 02, 1999).]

I found that strengthening my forearms with one of those grip springs has helped my stickhandling alot. It's an easy excersize that you can do at anytime that you have a free hand.

A quick way to learn to shoot with a goalie stick is to stickhandle a beachball. This will come real quick so you advance to a soccer ball, keep advancing to smaller heaver objects. Shooting rocks in the yard is a good one. Finally advance to pucks. You can do this with or without the goalie gloves or alternate until your comfortable. If this isn't working try a regular hockey stick until you develop the feel for it.
To build up arm strength, slowly lift the goalie stick up strait out in front of you to shoulder height, hold it till it burns, and let it down slowly. Next do this to the side. Over time your arm will strengthen and you will develop a more control. To build up your grip strength hold the end of the stick firmly and rotate the shaft while someone else provides counter resistance by holding the stick firmly. You can also wedge the blade into something to provide the resistance. Another trick is too squeeze a racket ball in your grip and hold it for 8 seconds and let go. Slowly apply pressure then slowly let up. All gains take place over time, but if you do something everyday you should see gains fairly rapidly. Don't forget that what ever you do for your stick arm you have to do for the glove side. Try all the same things with your glove arm. You need a strong glove arm to push the other guy out of the crease while still being in position for a shot. If you want really strong arms you need to lift weights. My son uses a very heavy stick in practice and then a very light one in games. You can add weight to the stick by duct taping pucks to the rear of the blade. I've seen special weighted sticks in college hockey training rooms. Most of this comes from this forum with a little wacky innovation on our part to make it FUN.

[robbf]

Other than the weighted stick (best idea IMHO) the next best thing is practice, really concentrate on turning your top hand over when you "snap" the shot off.
The other option is to learn the Cujo/Ozzie/Seagull windmill move where you choke down on the stick with your blocker hand and just give it a good whack to the forehand. If you are a former tennis/racquetball player you should pick that one up pretty quick.

[badgerit]

your coach is a retard, aussie..

Tsk, tsk, tsk! I'll be the goody-goody girl here and tell ya'll to mind your language!!! =) Aussie goalie- would it hurt you to use proper punctuation? I can hardy read stuff when its not punctuated properly...

Anyhow, I'm doing weight-training this semester at the local community college but I haven't really had any problems with my strength... Concerning your coach, why not just quit? Apparently YOU don't like him and from what he's said to you I'm guessing that he doesn't like you! Aren't there any other rinks around where you live?

[Kuzma]

I appoligize for how I said it goaliegrrl.
Practice is the only way to get good control. Do it and try and get your coach off your back. If you do one thing well maybe he'll lay off.

[This message has been edited by Kuzma (edited December 03, 1999).]

Its more form then strength.

[Bryan]

You should work on your shot anyway, and practice is the best way. BUT, your coach truly is an idiot, and obviously knows nothing about playing goal. You definitely should tell him to back off. Make sure he knows you are very serious.