breakaway 5-hole: save selection?

[dlt85]

Hey there folks,

I tried searching on this topic but I found alot of general breakaway technique instead of specific 5-hole strategies. I figure a butterfly is the most popular way to deal with 5hole shots on breakaways and it has worked for me well to this point, but recently i've played with some pretty good college and jr players and have been rethinking my technique because of their quick releases. I was just wondering who of you guys/gals use a single knee drop with one leg and small c-cut with the other leg to plug the 5-hole on a quick shot. Personally i find it much easier and quicker to execute this technique vs a normal b-fly when you're backing up pretty quick on a breakaway. Is this a sensible technique to use regularly or is it a road to bad habits? Also, if the technique is pretty legit, is it better to put the stick side leg or glove-side leg down? Any help/feedback would be great. Thanks!

[Ryeno42]

It goes back to discipline and fundamentals.

Know your angles and positions.

Yes, if they are that close in to you it is better to stand there and let them get the perfect shot then going down.

You should angle your pad down, heel together and toes pointed out if the guy is coming right at you and the angle width is cover and theres pressure.

That's one option.

But there is no one straight answer.

[JON]

Whatever option you choose, I learned that the most important thing in this situation by far is that your stick is covering your 5 hole. When I first adopted the butterfly, my biggest problem was keeping my stick at my 5 hole. I would turn it to my side ala Giguere. I was getting beat 5 hole pretty bad on breakaways and close in shots. I disciplined myself to keep the stick there and it solved my problem real fast. As the pads drop and rotate the outer edges are going to contact the ice first and make its way up to the thighrises on your way down, however, your stick is already there where the thighrises are so basically, you got the hole ice sealed before you even fully execute the butterfly. (If you can understand that)
I personally prefer going full butterfly because if the shooter makes a hard cut, its easier to go into the splits from the full butterfly than the half butterfly and cover the low posts.

[dlt85]

Originally Posted by JON

I personally prefer going full butterfly because if the shooter makes a hard cut, its easier to go into the splits from the full butterfly than the half butterfly and cover the low posts.

Haha. If your strategy wasn't a physical impossibility for me I would try it

[shadysidegoalie]

I usually butterfly, but I also drop one leg pretty often - primarily when the shooter gets in close enough that you won't be able to get down quick enough. I usually drop the left leg to close the 5-hole, and if they deke, I just use my right leg to push over. You have to do it only when you can clearly tell that the guy isnt going to cut to the opposite side, and you have to be at a bit of an angle to trap them into going into the direction of your pad that you laid on the ice.

[Goalieworld20]

Originally Posted by dlt85

Haha. If your strategy wasn't a physical impossibility for me I would try it

haha just stretch like an hour a day or an hour and a half and ull get there!

[maximum31]

This strategy is kinda eh, the issue is if the shooter cuts back across your up knee your done. Also, a short pull can get you smoked by your up leg which has no ability to react. Additionally a one knee drop screws up your backwards momentum. If you happen to drop early and you have decent flow and the shooters still close to you you can push either way and have a shot at a save. Finally, a one knee drop creates all sort of unpredictable rebound possibilities and puts you in no position to respond to the rebound. When playing against high level shooters the only way to really handle a breakaway is to come out, get low, take away everything but 5 hole and be ready to close up.

[JON]

Originally Posted by maximum31

This strategy is kinda eh, the issue is if the shooter cuts back across your up knee your done. Also, a short pull can get you smoked by your up leg which has no ability to react. Additionally a one knee drop screws up your backwards momentum. If you happen to drop early and you have decent flow and the shooters still close to you you can push either way and have a shot at a save. Finally, a one knee drop creates all sort of unpredictable rebound possibilities and puts you in no position to respond to the rebound. When playing against high level shooters the only way to really handle a breakaway is to come out, get low, take away everything but 5 hole and be ready to close up.

Couldnt agree with this more. High level shooters' eyes light up when they see a 5 hole opening. I like to lure them into to it as well and then take it away.

[Damion]

Originally Posted by maximum31

This strategy is kinda eh, the issue is if the shooter cuts back across your up knee your done. Also, a short pull can get you smoked by your up leg which has no ability to react. Additionally a one knee drop screws up your backwards momentum. If you happen to drop early and you have decent flow and the shooters still close to you you can push either way and have a shot at a save. Finally, a one knee drop creates all sort of unpredictable rebound possibilities and puts you in no position to respond to the rebound. When playing against high level shooters the only way to really handle a breakaway is to come out, get low, take away everything but 5 hole and be ready to close up.

I agree 100%

with the addition of mentioning that you need to be able to generate enough momentum in your first 2or 3 "C" cuts to glide backwards with the approaching shooter.

If your feet are gliding you will have equal weight on both feet and be able to slam that 5 hole shut quicker. (as well as respond lateraly quicker if he elects to deke)

Secondary note on closing the 5 hole with a butterfly is that you need to be low enough in your stance to force your knees all the way to the ice, Not having to wait for gravity to pull you down.

Third stick position is also very important although the best shooters are very good at shooting just over the stick, neccesitating that explosive downward knee drive.

[GreelyGoalie30]

Originally Posted by JON

Couldnt agree with this more. High level shooters' eyes light up when they see a 5 hole opening. I like to lure them into to it as well and then take it away.

Agreed. I have a pretty quick drop into a pretty wide butterfly, so I deliberately widen my stance as I approach the top of the crease, in order to increase the size of my 5 hole and tempt shooters. Then again, I have a pretty wide stance to begin with, so I usually get plenty of 5 hole shots.