Trouble with Butterfly

[Mfordy99]

I bought new pads because I grew, 38 inch X wings itech I believe. They are noticably lighter than my other ones. Since I've started using them, my butterfly is good but my teamates noticed I go down "slower" than with my other pads. Is it possible that I'm not use to the new weight of the pads? I think I'm just plopping down when there is probably a certain way to get into the butterfly. What do you think it could be? I'm usually very sharp and don't get scored on 5 hole, but the past few games its been hell. Glove reflexes are the same which is good.

[flopartist]

Is it possible that your pads are now too long for you and get caught into each other on the way down into the Bfly? Just a thought...

[Spidey]

Or your not driving your knees...

[foodsample]

I was working on this same thing the other day with my coach. I've gotten into the habbit of sort of falling forward into my butterfly. I've been told to keep my feet closer together , so I tried a bit wider stance ... also he explained how I want to try to drive my knees straight down. When going into a butterfly, you knees should not make any movement forward .. only your feet should move back a bit as you make the transition to butterfly.

[influenza]

i when people are explaining to DRIVE in to the butterfly, or drive your knees down. i find it hard to read that then attempt what they are trying to explain. if i drive my knees down i'm going to slide forward or wreck my ankles. i don't get it, but i'm getting some goalie coaching soon, maybe they'll be able to show me in person.

[GT4Dreams]

Are your pads really loose? They could be rotating in the air instead of contact on the ice.

[Mfordy99]

I was told to wear leg pads loose and not tight. They seem to be the right size for me and I'm still growing, (6'2), it's probably the fact I'm not driving my knees. I have a game tomorrow and my coach use to play goaltender, so I'll ask him if he see's what I'm doing wrong.

[dannyho1]

Please explain "Driving your knees"
DOWN?
FORWARD"? (towards the shooter)?
ECT............

For those never doing proper (GOALIE SCHOOL) training.

[maximum31]

its possible ur just adjusting to them, make sure there strapped right and ur actively driving down, if the pads r too lose the top of the pad could be coming up when you b-fly causing the puck to go under u

[foodsample]

Aight, i fully understand you not understanding driving your knees (if that makes any sense) since I never really understood exactly what people ment until my coach explained over and over lol. See what my coach caught me doing is while I went from my up position, to my butterfly position, my skates stayed in the same place ... where as my knees came forward. Instead of that, you want your skates to slide backwards so that your knees are not making at movement forward or backward as they go towards the ice... i personally have a photographic memory, so i will draw up some quick pics to explain waht I mean on photoshop in a sec... hold on tight ...

[dannyho1]

Thank you, the verbal explanation was very helpful. I am sure the visual will be more so.
I always thought that your skates should go out (netpost to netpost), as much as your flexability would allow, as possible.

[spidergoalie]

"driving your knees down" means you are not just relying on gravity and falling to your knees, but rather forcing them down quickly. For me this includes bringing my thighs together as I go down.
I think it can be practiced at home, idealy on a slide board or at least a smooth floor, but even on a carpet will work.
The idea being to go down as quickly as possible in an explosive sort of way, but with control. I think a stance that is too wide or too narrow will make this more difficult.

[dannyho1]

Thank You.
I have some Linoleum in the sun room and I will try it, with some strange looks from my wife (not the only strange looks I get from her).
I want a slide mech., where can I find one (CHEAP, but not JUNK)?

[foodsample]

Heres a rough sketch of what im talking about...

<Standing up>

<Incorrect transition to butterfly>

<Correct Transition to butterfly>

...

By doing this, not only will you shave of a good second on your reaction time .. but it will put more of the effort you put into driving your knees down, into actually driving your knees down .. and not into any forward movement before your knees start their travel downwards. Also remember to keep you butt out, so that you can use that thrusting motion that comes from bringing it back in to drive your knees down (incase you didn't know that part). .. hope that helps

[influenza]

quality, thanks!