Stuck in a rut.

During my past few games, when attemping a save, I have often been finding myself doing the splits to the glove side, even when the situation doesn't call for that move. It's like a knee-jerk reaction. Fortunately, I usually have the padde down to plug the 5 hole, but that doesn't make this suck any less. I don't know why I am doing this. It might be that that the splits, glove side, is my fastest manouver, and it is, but I really want to stop doing this. It leaves alot of room upstairs.

Anybody been "stuck in a rut" before?

[Kuzma]

Your best bet is to just do it mentally early game day. Try not to let it stress you, just keep reminding yourself. That helped me get out of the paddle down problem.

[blackman34]

It's funny. When I first started out and nobody taught me how to play I used to do a kicksave for EVERY shot that was on me. Needless to say, I wasn't so good. Once I learned how to actually play the position and what moves to do at what times I still found myself dropping into the kicksave a lot. I think the fact is, that is just a fairly easy move to do, and yes, it is a knee-jerk reaction.

The way I overcame it was A LOT of mental preperation. While off-ice I used to sort of "meditate" in my game frame of mind and picture when I should do what move at what time. Then during the game I found myself doing it properly. I know it sounds cheesy, but if you relax and stop worrying about it, it will work itself out. I still find that if I "meditate" every once in a while I'm sharper in my next game.

Hey, it can't hurt right? It's all good to talk to the posts...as long as the posts don't talk back

The weird thing is, I have being playing for several years and this has never been a problem before. I just sort of fell into it lately. During a shinny game today I made a concious effort to not do it but still did it!

I think that it's pre-occupying my brain on the ice and actually causing me to do it even if the thoughts are those of trying to eliminate the rut. Maybe It's time to start bidding on that mind-erasing machine I saw on Ebay!

I will overcome.

My personal rut was a half butterfly to the glove side.. How I got out of it, I have no idea just stopped one day...

[robbf]

Check out the "Bad Medicine" article in the features section to the left, it kinda fits into the subject of doing something without really understanding why and some possible solutions. Some 'good medicine' from Paul.

[Bryan]

I have to take issue with some of Paul's "bad medicine" article. His criticism of Kelly Hrudey was unfounded. As silly as Hrudey may have looked to Paul, Kelly's last two seasons were statistically among the best of his career. By simplifying his game, reducing unneeded moves, and sticking with what works (no matter how it looks), Kelly was a better goalie for it. I mean, Roy butterflies on every shot (no matter where it's going), why NOT paddle down?

Depending on whose stats you use 60 to 70% of all goals are scored on the ice. Paddle down covers all of the bottom, with butterfly unless you are very large, or very flexible, it doesn't cover as much. You can move laterally in the paddle down position WITHOUT giving up coverage. Butterfly means opening then closing a gap everytime you need to move. Getting up in control is much easier and quicker out of the paddle down position. The only drawback is you need to work on a new skill that you likely never practiced before, going from paddle down to a high blocker save in one motion. It seems like a very vulnerable area at first, but it doesn't take very much practice to learn how to cover it.

I don't use the paddle down as much as I believe I should. I have to remind myself to do it instead of the butterfly or other choices.

[robbf]

Stats - schmats....anyone that would wear a baby blue bandanna that hangs out the back of their mask deserves to be propped up in a shooting gallery , and while I'm on the subject of bashing Hrudey he has got to be the worst color guy that HNIC has. Too bad they can't sign Panger away from ESPN.

[badgerit]

Hey, that smiley isn't listed in the FAQ! How'd you do that?

[Squealagig]

try looking at http://www.goaliestore.com/ubb/smilies.html for all the new smilies including that one BTW that smiley is

[daemyn75]

Ok Why doens't Roy paddle down? Why doesn't a bird just take a plane? Because he doens't need or want to. Each goalie has there own style. Roy butterfly's on every Shot (which I don't agree with him doing but he won't listen to me) bacause he is 6' 0" and can still cover the top area of the net. so there :P

[Bryan]

OMYGOD Robb, are you crazy? Hrudey is one of the best colour guys in the business!! CBC has no interest in Darren Pang, and neither does practically anyone in Canada. Panger's colour is so asinine. He's a master of the bleeding obvious and has no insight whatsoever. His colour seems specifically designed for the person who is just now watching his first ever hockey game!!!

And daemyn, have you ever actually seen Roy play? He does so paddle down. In fact when this style was first becoming popular, many people erroneously credited HIM with coming up with it! Sure he butterflies more, but as you pointed out, he's big enough to get away with it. Longer legs equals more reach laterally.

[robbf]

Must be the spelling (color/colour)that is tbe cause of our disagreement, I like listening to Panger whereas Hrudy just pisses me off, especially when he starts drawing stuff all over the damn screen trying to explain visually what he cannot seem to verbalize.
Oh well, to each his own. At least we don't have to listen to JD during the whole frickin' game ! (yeah, more fodder for the cannon there Bryan!)

[robbf]

Sorry badge....trade secret, I could tell you but then I would have to get my arm through this little tiny cable in the wall reach all the way over to you and .....

[Squealagig]

How come does the sarcastic smiley look more bored than sarcastic

[This message has been edited by Squealagig (edited January 10, 2000).]