Skating

[Aaron]

Going from roller to ice is proving interesting. I skated for the first time on my goalie skates last week. I'm finding out it's VERY different. I had a terrible time trying to stop. Turning didn't go very well either. I'm sure it probably will get better with some practice. It took me about a year to learn to rollerblade.

One thing that should be noted is that on my inline goalie skates, I use a flat profile wheel, not the bullet shaped player wheel. I'm wondering if this is hampering my ability on ice. I have trouble balancing on regular player skates. But on my goalie skates, I'm fine. The flat wheels provide a wider base, as opposed to that skinny blade on the ice skate. I'm wondering if that may be a factor.

Maybe this has to do with my ankle strength. I've found that it's easier for me to skate with my pads on. I believe the pads hamper my ankle development. I discussed it with Bernie and I'd agree with him that it does.

Just wondering something here...when you guys to a t-push do you just quickly turn your foot to stop? Digging in your heel?

How do you deal with someone coming across the slot while you are doing the t-push if he shoots while he is moving with you? Like in a screen situation..I seem to get burned on these but they put it on the wide side of the net. Seems like if they shoot at your 5 hole while you're doing a t-push, it could create a problem, but then again you're moving laterally, so it may be a blessing.

I know it's the golden rule to stop on the shot, but it seems this would be difficult to do while in a t-push and react at the same time.

[This message has been edited by Aaron (edited November 07, 1999).]

[Squealagig]

I'll tell you what I know/do but keep in mind that a. I have only really been skating for almost a year (a few times over the 5 years before but never knew how to do anything like stop or even skate forwards properly) b. I'm using regular player skates untill I have enough money for goal skates. c. I've only been playing goal on ice for the last month or two. So bsically take everything I say with a grain of salt as probably no one else is going to agree with me.

Go to power skating lessons, I learnt sooooo much from the 2 month I did it 1hour/week in the spring.

Stopping is quite hard to learn it took me about 5-6 hours. I beleve thet most of the weight has to come off of the heal to stop properly, I sometimes have problems stoping on my left foot and it's nearly always solved by taking weight of the heal. I actually learned how to stop while playing forwards with freinds. When going forwards and wanting to got the other way I would slow down till I stoped and then turn and go the other direction. then gradually without realizing it I wouldn't be quite stopped before changing direction. eventually I wasn't slowing down at all just stoping and going the other way.

turning is all in the weight transfer from one foot to the other as well as from both edges to the inside edge only as well I belive there is some transfer of weight from the back of the foot to the front?

I'm not sure what I do on the t-glide and the shot maybe just pivot on the toe and drop? If absolutly nessisary you could drop one knee while still gliding on the other. I once stoped a guy this way who tried to cut around me but I commited too early and actually managed to follow the him around to the side, he never got his shot off but still not what I wanted to do.

anyway make sure you have plenty of salt handy while you wait for other replys.

[This message has been edited by Squealagig (edited November 07, 1999).]

you stop with the front of the foot. not back. Let the guy led and recover your back leg so you can push off and follow the skater.

you stop with the front of the foot. not back. Let the guy led and recover your back leg so you can push off and follow the skater.

[TartanBill]

The guy skating across the slot is a tough one.

If he is close enough, I combine the T-push with a paddle down (when moving catch side). Moving block side, I either use the mirror move with stick normal, or 1/2 butterfly if he is really close.

If he is farther out, then work on you power shuffle.

[Bryan]

I have been trying so hard for the last year to completely eliminate the t-push (as well as skate saves) from my game. I still keep doing it as a reflex once or twice per game, but it's getting better. I saw a video of me playing, and was quite concerned about how much net opens up every time you turn your foot. So far it's working. I may feel more awkward in the net having to constantly remind myself to shuffle or pad save (often out loud), but my stats have improved dramatically.

[Aaron]

One thing about my Koho's is there's that inside calf protector. When you do a t-push, it helps cover the hole better, but not as much as when you have the pad facing outward. I see alot of new pads have this. It took me awhile to get used to them being there after using my old Coopers.

You guys say stop with your back foot? Maybe just dragging it to stop...hmmm..never thought 'bout that

I rarely do a t-push in my game. I mainly shuffle. I to a t-push if there's a long pass from the point to the other point. Other than that, when someone's in close going across the slot I just shuffle. I feel awkward and vulnerable if I do a t-push when someone's in that close. Especially if I think they may pass back. Then you're caught going the wrong way!

[Squealagig]

Aaron wrote: You guys say stop with your back foot?

What thread have you been readin'?

btw I also nearly always shuffle rarely doing a t-push.

[Aaron]

Sorry, my bad

[Timberwoof]

Aaron, it sounds like you nailed one source of your problem: To gain ankle strength, it may help to get some ankle weights and wear them for a week or three while you're doing all your usual activities.

Yes, to stop the t-push you quickly turn your leg to face forward again. Your body and your back leg should face forward. T-push to move quickly across the goal, as when the puck carrier is moving behind it or has passed it sideways way out in front of you. Otherwise, if the puck carrier is moving sideways across the ice (instead of toward you), shuffle sideways while facing him.

We goalies have to be the best skaters on the team*. If your skating skills are weak, then I strongly advise going to open skating sessions to practice skating. Wear your goalie pants and pads: if you don't fall at least once, you're not trying hard enough. ;-) Adult nights are best: there are no rug-rats to get in the way.

*Centers and wings only have to be able to skate forwards to bring the puk to the other net. Defenders have to be able to skate backwards to meet the other team's wings. But we goalies have to be able to skate forwards, backwards, and sideways!

A couple of years ago I was the golaie coach for a high school hockey team. When they did skating drills the golaie looked at me with a look that said, "Do I have to?" I smiled and nodded ... and joined right in. When the other skaters saw me doing all the same drills -- with my leg pads on! -- they worked even harder to outskate me.

[Abbsey]

Timberwoof’s got it right.....

Practice, Practice, Practice. The goalie must be the best skater on the team. I read an article a loooong time ago about Don Edwards (remember him??) His dad wouldn’t let him play goal, no matter how much he wanted to, until he was the best skater on the team.

I’ve played forward all of my life, in the last 4 years I have begun to play net, this year, I’m finally getting the hang of it, but all along the best part of my game has been my mobility on my feet. I can only attribute that to years of skating practice.

When I skate,(stopping, starting, whatever) I try to use the whole blade, pressure in the middle, maintain balance on the Goalie blades, (that’s why they are flat). If I use my toes, or my heels to stop, I get off balance and out of shape real fast and cannot react.........to anything........ at all.

But goaltending on forward skates, first OUCH!!!!, second , with the rocker on forward skates., you must be on your toes all of the time

[Squealagig]

I think I can say that I'm at least one of the better skaters on my team if not the best. as for the forward skates I do find that I have to make sure that I'm on the balls of my feet. If I do get on my toes by accidet then the results usuallky not to good. But i'm going to get goal skates, as soon as I have the money!

Poor goalie requires money for skates plz send quick.

[CKeelty]

Has the wisdom of Professor Bernie Parent been completely eliminated from goalie bibles? When you T-push with a man moving across the slot (not that I'm recommending you do so, but if you do) you drag your back leg along the ice trailing you, like a half-butterfly. Watch Byron Dafoe, he still uses this move. That blocks low--high is still up to you.

Chris

[Aaron]

CKeelty, that's what Jacques Plante says in "On Goaltending" He says to skate AT the shooter on an angle as he's going across the slot.

Hello?!?!?!

Is this the "I Hate T-Skating Room?" How do you guys cover the guy going across the crease if you don't T-skate? I have a hard time believing that shuffling across would really be effective. Some guys are just going too fast!

AB 80