Worn Out

I recently started playing goal in an adult beginners leauge, and after the frist couple of practices of skating we actaully got into the 1 on 0 drills to get the players shooting and me making saves. After about 35 1 on 0's I couldn't feel my legs anymore. I'm still trying to find out how I'd like to play (standup or butterfly), but practicing the butterfly about 30 times in a row is hard work! I was wondering what can I do to make it a little easier on me? Exercises or techniques would be great.

As a goalie that also recently started at age 30 perhaps I can offer a few tips.

First... the endurance and strength will come with time. Don't worry about it in a game, adrennilin will give you what you need when you need it. In practice you are more relaxed so you feel it more.

When you start getting tired.. take a break for a few. Forwards don't understand why you are so tired. It is an easy skate for them, you are jumping up and down in 65 lbs of pads, and facing more shots, faster than in any game, anywhere.

If I am in a practice session, and start to get tired, I stop going down. I spend most of my time working on angles, staying up, using my stick.. etc until my strength comes back. Remember, these drills are for YOU not for the shooters (as they mistakenly think)

You have to use them to your advantage. If you get tired, and start getting beat easily, it can errode your confidence. Make the drills work for you

Yes Jester I agree. The guys in my league think that being a goalie is one of the easier positions! They are a bunch of retards anyway (with a few exceptions) so I don't care what they say but once they thought they were so hot they did not need a goalie so I just "got too sick to play." That put a stop to it and when I came back the next game they practically worshiped me. I guess the reason that they act this way is because we are all teens.

P.S. They also seem to think that if they can score on me in practice while I am already blocking a shot that they are Wayne Gretzky or something.

[This message has been edited by swickj (edited December 26, 1999).]

Thanks Jester. I havn't gotten to the game part of it yet, and was just a little worried that if after 15mins I'm feeling like this, I'd hate to see me at the end of a game! I'll take it easy in the practices, and just worry about my techinques until I get a little more comfortable with those.

Thanks..

[badgerit]

30 breakaways in a row is not a very game-like situation, so don't worry about it. It's not a good gauge of your endurance in a game. Btw, if your team DOES let in 30 breakaways in a game, it's time to find a new team...

[Squealagig]

Doh! looks like it's time for me to go team hunting I guess that you think that if you have more that 3 4 on 0's in a game it's time to look for a new team too.

I have the same problem with forwards thinking they're god when the score in practice after three atempts at the empty net because I was plying someone else.

At least ppl on my team do understand that goalies do a lot of work. Surely they see that when you take your mask off and they see the sweat dripping down your face.

I'll get the extra goal sticks (to break over our teams heads).

:-)

[Bernie]

Jester's right on! Your leg strength will increase A LOT if you continue these drills, so you're stamina will be noticably increased.

Then use my favorite line- go up to the guy who gave you the most trouble about tiring quickly and say: (in Arnold Schwarzenegger voice): "Strap 'em on"

[Bernie]

Jester's right on! Your leg strength will increase A LOT if you continue these drills, so you're stamina will be noticably increased.

Then use my favorite line- go up to the guy who gave you the most trouble about tiring quickly and say: (in Arnold Schwarzenegger voice): "Strap 'em on"

[Squealagig]

Only troube what if he straps on the pads and finds out he enjoys goal. You might get competition.

[daemyn75]

Than you are in trouble. Your practices sound like one of my games so my team gives me no defication about getting tired. Once I made 15 saves in 3 minutes in a game. I told me team and they said good job. I told them they were idiots and that shoiuld have never happened. they Do not like to anger me it isn't good.

[Squealagig]

Ouch 15 saves in 3 mins you better start charging for the extra pad wear that their causing you

Doing squats and leg presses help (if you're not adverse to lifting weights......it's not some peoples bag). I have lifted weights for years but never really concentrated on my legs. I started a couple of months ago and have noticed a remarked improvement in my lower body stamina. I too suffered and still, to a lesser extent, do suffer from the "rubber leg syndrome". Squats especially, strengthen the muscles that are directly used in crouching and rising from the butterfly position. It is only logical that having more powerful quads and thigh muscles will result in an improved ability to preform explosive, powerful movements repeatedly and effectively. I am speaking from what I know and not what I think I know.

[daemyn75]

So you should do Squats by butterflying and popping up that might feel painful. I used to lift weights for a while and even took Creatine and Androstendione. Never worked my legs cause they were really soar alfter words and the never got used to it. I run a lot due to being in the military and that does help.

Here is a trick I learned for the dreaded 3-0. It only works if the pick carrier is headed down the slot, and you can only use it once.... maybe twice in a game. And you have have to have a pair made of stainless steel to do it.

As the 3-0 developes, watch the carrier, as be breaks down the slot, get ready, but hold your ground on the edge of the crease.

As he crosses the hash marks he has to make a decision: shoot, pass left, pass right.

At the moment you see him check the position of the other players... and his stick has to be RIGHT in front of him with the puck...

EXPLODE into a stack pad directly at him. Keep your body in a V to cut off the passes with your stick and pads, the puck has no where to go but into your chest.. right along with his stick and skates.. so be ready.

On the up side.. he ends up in the net, and you get the puck. It will also force them to pass earlier and give you more time to react.
It also gives an amazing boost to your team, and makes you look like a god... providing you survive the impact