Ice goalie going to roller

[foodsample]

Hey, I play ice hockey at the moment for the local Junior team. I've been talking to my P.E. teacher and she was really interested in sponsoring a roller hockey team at our highschool, and I will probably be playing goal. I have some roller blades that I tried strapping my pads to and skated around my house a bit but it felt really awkward and forget about sliding. I figured I'd buy some really small wheels and hybrid pads .. then just play Hasek style or something. Are there any secret techniques you guys use to stay on your feet while moving around the crease, that would differ from ice?

[buffay34]

T-Push... T-Push... T-Push

For sliding, depending on your skates, you may be able to slide on your cowling's (I was able to in my Vapor goalie skates, but with my Code Carbons I cannot). Another tip from experience and from knowing plenty of successful goalies is that in roller you need a much deeper crouch stance in roller than ice, get used to it. I am able to slide across my crease because I changed the inner gussets of my TPS R8 pads to be cordura (100D nylon) so there is a great decrease of friction versus having leather.

I'm sure Elite will throw you some good tips too....

[Spud387]

What kind of surface will you play on? I play on a waxed concrete surface so it is harder on the equipment. I also use the cowlings to slide across however that put a huge amount of wear on them so now I have them duck taped to reduce the wear on them.

Again, to follow what Buffay said, T-pushes. They are your friend and you will want to get over that tendency to shuffle.

Remember that you can no longer butterfly slide and thats why you have to commit more to one leg when moving across.

[buffay34]

Spud, oddly enough, I prefer your surface (polished sealed cement) over any other surface. I always got best results in grip, mobility, and sliding on that surface, and its also an advantage that all the skaters I know absolutely hate that surface. Those two pad stacks though are brutal on your hips on that surface.

[Spud387]

Originally Posted by buffay34

Spud, oddly enough, I prefer your surface (polished sealed cement) over any other surface. I always got best results in grip, mobility, and sliding on that surface, and its also an advantage that all the skaters I know absolutely hate that surface. Those two pad stacks though are brutal on your hips on that surface.

O don't get me wrong, I love the cement. I played pickup at a place that had the softer material (i think its called sport court?) and I found I did not slide as well. What I was getting at is that if you play on cement your gear will wear down quite quickly depending on your style of play.

[foodsample]

Yea, I noticed that goalies who used to play roller .. and were switching to Ice at the place I play at have a strange stance kinda like they were stranging to scare the puck. Now that I think about it I could see how it might be that diffrence in stance you were talking about.

[luongojr]

Its not tooo hard. But make sure you dont always keep your ice strategies for roller or roller for ice. Youll just get burned. If you come out Far chances are youll get burn because theyyll pass it over and your done. But in ice u can slide. In roller you kind of play a little hasek y at times. But try not to to. If you read a play wrong say you think heel shoot you come out he passes youll be diving for sure. Just dont be very agressive and lear tp stop on roller. Its alot easier once you learn. I do and i can stop better tehn some of my team mates but it reealy helps if your going side to side instead of just diving.

[GoalieMike99]

I started out playing roller, converted strictly to ice, and then filled in for a team in roller for a game. I'll tell ya, it was hell on wheels (pun intended) Anyway, it is definitely a tough adjustment (for me anyway) and myth is that it can really mess up your game. But I can agree that it could be quite fun playing a Hasek-like style and just throwing technique out the window (just for a change of pace)

[foodsample]

Originally Posted by GoalieMike99

I started out playing roller, converted strictly to ice, and then filled in for a team in roller for a game. I'll tell ya, it was hell on wheels (pun intended) Anyway, it is definitely a tough adjustment (for me anyway) and myth is that it can really mess up your game. But I can agree that it could be quite fun playing a Hasek-like style and just throwing technique out the window (just for a change of pace)

Yea I will probably be doing it as a chance to just have fun doing, as you said "Throw technique out the window" .. so I can get screwing around out of my system, and can concentrate of discipline when I play with my Junior team.

[GoalieMike99]

yeah, Goofing off can sure be fun sometimes!

[cisco]

there's alot of little things...

The puck weighs less so sometimes its harder to find in your equipment after you make the save. The game is 4 vs 4 so there is more of an offensive focus. Butterfly slides don't happen, sliding on your cowling is possible, try and keep your toe ties tied down a bit looser in order to have more cowling sliding surface. Find wheels you're comfortable with and stick to them. Stick tape has more friction in roller than ice, so taping your stick will cause it to stick a bit when it's fresh. Roller is HOTTER, you will sweat more... Bring cold water. You will need to keep a large towel with you in net to dry any sweat spots in the crease, cause it sucks when players score goals due to you slipping.

I'm sure I'll think of some more later.....

[Threeleggedyoyo]

A few things that I've noticed between ice/roller (these may or may not have been mentioned by others):

-- Anybody can lift the puck in roller with little or no space. So it's that much easier to get lit up if you go down on every shot.

-- You can't slide much if at all.

-- It's easier to move while down since you have so much traction. This also makes it easier to keep your body up while in the butterfly. Because of this, you may find that you can have a wider butterfly than you're able to use on the ice.

-- You may find that your leg saves are better if you jump ever so slightly as you get a leg to the side. Your foot shouldn't be leaving the ground, but because of the way you take weight off of it more to get it out from under you, it feels like a jump in a way. Be careful not to overdo this as you obviously don't want to have to wait for gravity to pull your leg pad down before making a save.

-- It's 4 on 4, the players are slower, many places have no offsides or icing, chances are it's a no-checking league, and it is easier for forwards to shoot and lift the puck. So games tend to be much more offensive and higher-scoring than ice. Personally I like this better as it makes 'dumb mistakes' (which I am prone to, sadly) on the goalie's part less of a factor. Some may find it frustrating because there are more goals in general.

-- You may want to get a whole new set of gear because less protection is required and you can thus be a great deal lighter. I went from roller to ice and I'd never dream of using almost all of my roller gear on ice. Anyhow, my roller set is waaaay lighter! It always amazes me when I go back to playing roller after being on the ice for a while how light I feel.

-- As has been said, roller is much hotter. Some rinks don't allow water bottles on top of the net since a spill is a hazard (unlike ice where it just freezes over). So be sure that your bench has a lot of gatorade for you to chug between periods or at time outs.

-- If you can't afford goalie skates (I've never had any) get the hardest wheels you can find. Harder = less traction, and the last thing you need while trying to move your legs laterally is traction. They will also last longer. Most goalies will also prefer the shortest (smallest radius) wheels they can find.

-- For me, at least, it effects my skating in three ways: lower total speed, faster acceleration, and more difficulty stopping. Personally, I find this works to my advantage since as a goalie I'm rarely using my top speed anyway (whereas my opponents are).

~Brent

[Spud387]

Originally Posted by Threeleggedyoyo

A few things that I've noticed between ice/roller (these may or may not have been mentioned by others):

1)-- Anybody can lift the puck in roller with little or no space. So it's that much easier to get lit up if you go down on every shot.

2)-- You can't slide much if at all.

3)-- It's easier to move while down since you have so much traction. This also makes it easier to keep your body up while in the butterfly. Because of this, you may find that you can have a wider butterfly than you're able to use on the ice.

4)-- You may find that your leg saves are better if you jump ever so slightly as you get a leg to the side. Your foot shouldn't be leaving the ground, but because of the way you take weight off of it more to get it out from under you, it feels like a jump in a way. Be careful not to overdo this as you obviously don't want to have to wait for gravity to pull your leg pad down before making a save.

5)-- It's 4 on 4, the players are slower, many places have no offsides or icing, chances are it's a no-checking league, and it is easier for forwards to shoot and lift the puck. So games tend to be much more offensive and higher-scoring than ice. Personally I like this better as it makes 'dumb mistakes' (which I am prone to, sadly) on the goalie's part less of a factor. Some may find it frustrating because there are more goals in general.

6)-- You may want to get a whole new set of gear because less protection is required and you can thus be a great deal lighter. I went from roller to ice and I'd never dream of using almost all of my roller gear on ice. Anyhow, my roller set is waaaay lighter! It always amazes me when I go back to playing roller after being on the ice for a while how light I feel.

7)-- As has been said, roller is much hotter. Some rinks don't allow water bottles on top of the net since a spill is a hazard (unlike ice where it just freezes over). So be sure that your bench has a lot of gatorade for you to chug between periods or at time outs.

8)-- If you can't afford goalie skates (I've never had any) get the hardest wheels you can find. Harder = less traction, and the last thing you need while trying to move your legs laterally is traction. They will also last longer. Most goalies will also prefer the shortest (smallest radius) wheels they can find.

9)-- For me, at least, it effects my skating in three ways: lower total speed, faster acceleration, and more difficulty stopping. Personally, I find this works to my advantage since as a goalie I'm rarely using my top speed anyway (whereas my opponents are).

~Brent

**I numbered Brent's post to make ti easier to reference**

1) The puck is a light little f#%$er. It can easily be lifter and if the puck isn't flying true to form is more likely to knuckle.

5) Don't get frustrated by letting in more goals than you may be used to on ice. Roller hockey is generally a higher scoring game. Even if they get a few in a row on you, your team still has a chance since it is 4v4.

6) I use lighter pads and a very minimal chest protector as it helps keep me more agile and cooler. You have to be quick and move to where you want to be. You cannot butterfly slide while trying to block as much area as possible anymore.

7) Cool water and a towel very important. If they don't let you take it to the net argue Ask the refs if they normally where 2 sets of pants, body armor, gloves, helmet & leg warmers in the summer without getting hot Tell them the towel is in case the water happens to spill.

8) I have goal skates, but only because i needed a new pair and didn't want to ruin my other blades. My goal skates have 47mm 76a wheels and they are softer than i like to have because they chip easily. When I used player skates, I used 59mm 80a wheels (on polished concrete surface) and they laster forever; never chipped. I don;t mind using player or goal skates. Just remember that player skates will wear down faster without a cowling.

10) Have fun

[Mattchu]

get mission motion pads or any pads that hav a different material than touches the ground. i can slide a little bit in the motions

[greasyjoe20]

I have been playing both roller and ice together for a lot of years now and the simplest advice I can give you is to not change your style. It may take a little longer to get used to, but playing roller is really no harder than ice, with the exception of sliding. The main point is to not come out too far, going no further than the top of the crease will still allow for butterfly slides to the posts and evetually you will get the art of shuffling on a roller surface. Some different pads might help, I have a full set of Mission equipment but it is too big, but it worked pretty well when I did wear it.