Keeping square to the puck on fast breaks

[tjgoalie]

This has happened to me a couple of times, and sometimes I end up getting scored on, or I'm forced to make an awkward desprate butterfly slide to make the save.

Usually this situation happens on a 2 on 1 where the oppositing puck carrier doesnt make the pass since my defensemen has the lane closed.
What ends up happening is that the puck carrier starts off in the center of the ice, and cuts to move along the boards at about top circle and than down the side.
I play an aggressive style and cut down his angle, but once he starts to move to the side, i'm unable to keep up with his speed, and rotate my body to his changing angle, and he gets alittle bit more room to shoot on the short side.

My movements are to just challenge him, and start C-cuts backwards until he starts his move to either side. Usually when I C-cut its hard to start shuffling to his side immediatly and it gives him a 1/2 step advantage where I'm no longer square to the puck.
If anyone has the same issue or can offer any help its appreciated. Thanks

[Matador29]

well if I'm reading this correctly, I think you're coming out to far. The wider he gets the shallower you can be IMO. If you are out too far, then he will have the advantage. You have to cover two areas, the lateral movement AND the gap to him. The wider he gets along the boards the more you have to move laterally to catch up and it is always easier to skate forwards than backwards so you will be behind in that regard. I would say you shouldn't be further than a foot or two past your crease. Does that answer it?

[secross2]

That sounds pretty acurate. (sp) I play very far out if it's a break away and about 2 feet if the shooter is coming down the boards.

[CubanPuckstoppr]

Originally Posted by tjgoalie

My movements are to just challenge him, and start C-cuts backwards until he starts his move to either side. Usually when I C-cut its hard to start shuffling to his side immediatly and it gives him a 1/2 step advantage where I'm no longer square to the puck.
If anyone has the same issue or can offer any help its appreciated. Thanks

To clarify a little more, when you say "1/2 step advantage" it seems like you are implying that you are behind on the play, which I take as "not on the shooting lane." You might be square but not in line, I just want to be sure the two concepts are not morphing into one.

I'm going to refer you to one of the Bandits threads.

Need advice, don't be afraid to ask us...

Originally Posted by fiveholegoalie

The second option is for the goaltender to grab about 3 feet of white ice above the crease as soon as they recognize the breakaway situation. At this point the goaltender must gauge the shooters speed and take two hard pushes backwards, then glide back, again taking away one of the shooters options (the shot) and beat the shooter back to the post.

The difference I see between what you say, "Usually when I C-cut its hard to start shuffling to his side immediatly", and what fiveholegoalie says, "take two hard pushes backwards, then glide back," Is that his advice has your weight balanced on two skates, where your c-cut has most of your weight on one skate. (so if you are c-cutting with your right skate and the shooter moves that direction, you may have difficulty moving that direction)

[Coach Odie]

tjgoalie
Keeping square to the puck on fast breaks
This has happened to me a couple of times, and sometimes I end up getting scored on, or I'm forced to make an awkward desprate butterfly slide to make the save.

Usually this situation happens on a 2 on 1 where the oppositing puck carrier doesnt make the pass since my defensemen has the lane closed.
What ends up happening is that the puck carrier starts off in the center of the ice, and cuts to move along the boards at about top circle and than down the side.
I play an aggressive style and cut down his angle, but once he starts to move to the side, i'm unable to keep up with his speed, and rotate my body to his changing angle, and he gets alittle bit more room to shoot on the short side.

My movements are to just challenge him, and start C-cuts backwards until he starts his move to either side. Usually when I C-cut its hard to start shuffling to his side immediatly and it gives him a 1/2 step advantage where I'm no longer square to the puck.
If anyone has the same issue or can offer any help its appreciated. Thanks

If I understand you correctly, your issue is not necessarily with staying 'square' to the shooter, rather it is an issue with following the shooter and staying in the right lane. From what you said there is only one main issue here... When you move backwards with a shooter you should not be c-cutting much (one or two strong initial pushes, possibly a couple more depending on age/skill/etc.). A goalie that keeps c-cutting can't move laterally due to the requirement of shifting your weight from one leg to another. However, that alone might not help you keep up with the shooter (especially as it takes more leg strength for strong initial pushes)... if this is still the case use T-glides for your lateral movements instead of shuffling... the movement (if done correctly) will keep you square to the puck but will allow you to move further and faster laterally than shuffling...

Hope this helps,

Odie

[Damion]

Cutting down the angle is all fine and good and as long as the player keeps coming basicly towards you it will be easy to stay square and stay centered in the shooting lane.

A few feet outside the top of the crease is all you will need for depth if you are going farther the difficulty in staying square and centered in the shooting lane if the player changes the lateral angle will be much greater.

Besides if you challenge allot and the pass does get through you will have nearly no chance.

I trust my D men bu tnot that much lol

As already mentioned it is important to generate your momentum in the first few C cuts then be gliding backwards with equall weight on both feet. You can then convert the backwards momentum to lateral motion if the player makes a lateral move. The slower your gliding the more power it will take to be able to move lateraly with the player. The same momentum you use for sticking with a lateral move will be what you will use if the pass does get through (thats why its important to be gliding balanced with equal weight on both feet)

[tjgoalie]

Thanks guys for all your help.
Next time I get on the ice ill try to glide back after a stride or 2.

Really appreciate the help, cause it is hard for me to move laterally when C-cutting and not having weight equal.