Splitting Goalie Time

[mikebu]

Tried doing a search before asking but didn't find anything...

My son will be splitting time with another goalie. Every week they play a game on saturday and sunday. What do you goalies think is best: each kid playing one entire game or splitting both games? His coach is trying to decide which way is best. This is at the Squirt 9-10 year old level.

I am leaning towards suggesting playing one entire game each weekend...

[nik133]

I say have him play the whole game and then go out as a player for the next game. This will teach him how to skate/shoot/pass better then any other goalie at that age. Im assuming that this is houseleague?

[Neomop]

I'm in the same situation; my coach makes me and the other goalie play half of each game. He thinks this is better because we can be both involved in every game, and we can analyze each other's goaltending mistakes and build on them by being there to watch.

[mikebu]

This is squirt rep and I don't think playing out when not playing is a option with the coach...

[ThePM]

Originally Posted by Neomop

I'm in the same situation; my coach makes me and the other goalie play half of each game. He thinks this is better because we can be both involved in every game, and we can analyze each other's goaltending mistakes and build on them by being there to watch.

I really don't like that idea. When I get into my 'groove', nothing gets by me. If I was yanked halfway through a game like that I'd be beyond annoyed and this would most likely mess up my next game.

[elcamiino33]

Originally Posted by ThePM

I really don't like that idea. When I get into my 'groove', nothing gets by me. If I was yanked halfway through a game like that I'd be beyond annoyed and this would most likely mess up my next game.

Same here. I play bantam A and there is a 2 goalie system. During the first few games of the season, we spilt the games. I just couldn't get into the games and my performance just wasn't great. Ever since a had one BAD half and let in 4 goals, I talked to the coach and we started playing every other full game. My save percentage went up to a .922 and I play great every game.

[_PRODIGY_]

Playing game by game > playing period by period.

There would be no reason to yank a goalie that's doing really well to put in a cold one. Especially if this is rep hockey where wins actually do matter (to the kids, coaches, parents, etc.)

My team carries 3 goalies and at one point the coaches joked about having us play one period each. The pissed off look on all our faces made them retract that joke in record time.

[CPAgoalie]

I play midget and we alternate games. I think it is a good way to do it although if the other kid ever got injured I don't know how prepared I would be. Switching in the middle of the game might prepare you for something like that better.

I like alternating games except that I always seem to get the morning and away games.

[psofmars]

I've split whole games and by periods. Either way is ok, whole games is easier. Splitting periods lets everybody get the feel of going in cold - back-up style. Sometimes really cold - my friends fingers were blue at one game and he had to go in the 3rd period. That sucked. Otherwise ok.

Sean

[thorvonclemson]

Have each goalie play one game.. Is your kid's team going to be playing the same team on the weekends? Just curious. To me, that would provide all the more reason to have each goalie play a separate game.

Even if they play different teams, I personally HATE splitting a single game in half. I can live with it if I start the first half but it is really hard for me to get into it if I am going in at the second half. It almost goes by too quickly.

In my first year of college, we were playing our rival school and for some reason the team decided to split the game in half between us two goalies. We were up 5-1 or 2 when I switched with the other goalie (I started) and we ended up losing 8-5 or 6. I was upset, though later on that night I met my future wife so it ended up being a good night.

[Goalieworld20]

i prefer just playing every other game (and that will be perfect with back to back games because no goalie is out more than a week in between games)

what level is this? Squirt B, A, inhouse etc?

[puck luck]

Full games all the way. It doesn't matter how much you streach before entering a game half way through, you are cold physically and mentally.

[mikebu]

This is 1st year squirt rep. Some weekends they will play the same team Saturday and Sunday and some weekends different teams.

Last year he played half player and half goalie and in the spring just played goalie 100%. This year he started off the season as a player and then got a chance to play a game as a goalie during a tournament and really had a fun time and decided he wanted to go back to goalie.

When did most people make the decision to be a goalie? This has been a hard choice for him because he likes both player and goalie.

[moving target]

full games...it helps build up confidence and develops concentration

likewise, riding the bench will allow him to watch the team and see how the other goalie makes good or bad plays