Just Stop the Puck?

[harri1]

Mind The Net, owned and operated, in Saskatchewan, Canada, by Travis Harrington and Ian Robertson, is dedicated to training goaltenders and educating parents and coaches on all aspects of the goaltending position.

MTN's Philosophy

MTN looks at all aspects of the goaltending position. Helping to build the appropriate tools that when combined with the goaltender's unique physical and mental characteristics will go towards establishing the goaltender’s very own style of play. There are philosophies of play that can be integrated into all styles. However, while resources can help guide a style of play it is up to the goaltender to incorporate these philosophies into their own style. For this reason MTN believes that goaltenders must be disciplined self-developers and overall students of the game.

The goaltender must first and foremost have FUN! Becoming a better goaltender has many trials and tribulations and it is easier to work hard and improve if the goaltender enjoys what they are doing. If the goaltender does not relish and enjoy the challenge that the position can present, then it is very unlikely that they will have the drive and determination to improve.

As the goaltender's skills improve and they move up in both age and hockey level they must learn to not only master the physical skills required but the mental ones as well. Too often, the goaltender does not know of the little things that can help them achieve success and chase their dreams. During the Midget "AAA" Prep and Top Prospects Camps MTN will focus on aspects that will help the goaltender move onward and upward, not only in their hockey skills but in their life skills as well.

MTN has experienced the misunderstandings that coaches and parents have about the goaltending position. It is these misunderstandings that constantly challenge the goaltender to question themselves as to if what they are doing is right. Very seldom does the goaltender have a knowledgeable support system that they can turn to during the hockey season. For this reason MTN will encourage parent and coach participation, both on ice and off, at their weekend minor hockey camps.

MTN confidently feels that they will expose the goaltender to physical and mental skills that can be used to prepare them for success in their primary job in hockey, “KEEPING THE PUCK OUT OF THE NET!”

[harri1]

The following article is a further breakdown of MTN's philosphy on goaltending:

Just Stop the Puck?

How many times have you heard a coach say, “ All I expect out of my goalie, is for him to stop the puck”?

Is this an accurate statement regarding the goaltender’s role or does it indicate a lack of understanding towards the goaltender position? Making a statement suggesting that the goaltender’s job is just to stop the puck, is similar to saying that all a defenceman has to do is have the ability to skate backwards.

It is not the job of the goaltender to stop the puck. It is the goaltender’s job to "Keep the puck out of the net!" To many this may seem like the same thing , however, on closer examination “ stopping the puck “ is just one method by which the goaltender can accomplish this “Keep the puck out of the net” objective.

To help prove this ”Keep the puck out of the net” objective, let’s examine a recent period from a junior "A" hockey game. In this period the goaltender faced only three shots on net. People were heard to say “The goalie didn’t have much to do.” With this statement in mind let’s look how the goaltender dictated, to a degree, how many shots he faced.

Over the course of the twenty-minute period, the goaltender stopped four rims behind the net. This not only prevented these pucks from falling into the hands of the opposition but also in doing so, was instrumental on four transitions out of the defensive zone. Stopping these four dump ins took away four potential shots and placed puck control in the hands of his team.

Three passes from behind the net towards slot attackers, were deflected out of danger by the goaltender’s stick. This took away three more potential shots.

One poke check on an outside drive eliminated a key scoring opportunity, and one less shot.

The goaltender skated out towards the blue line, beating the forechecker to the puck and cleared it out of the defensive zone. The forechecker was trapped and the goaltender’s team counter attacked. Another shot, taken away.

Of the three shots the goaltender faced, there were no rebounds. By controlling the initial shot, the goaltender had the option to transition the puck or stop the play. In two instances, the goaltender froze the puck for a face off. This allowed his coach to put key players on the ice in the defensive zone. On the third, the goaltender made a pass to a forward up ice. By controlling his rebounds, the goaltender eliminated the potential of facing more shots.

By having a strong positional game, the opposition shot the puck over or wide of the net five times. This does not take into account any shots that were not taken because the shooter saw nothing to shoot at. Strong positioning forced theses players to grind the puck on the wall or in the corner and attempt to reset the offensive thrust.

In review, this goaltender faced three shots during the period. Yet because of strong positioning, good skating, excellent stick work and rebound control, the goaltender took away seventeen more potential shots.

Seventeen times the goaltender was not required to make a save against the three saves he made.

Proving, at least to MTN, that the goaltenders main job is to KEEP THE PUCK OUT OF THE NET and Not just stop the puck!!

[harri1]

Active Stick Skills

As we look at the idea of "keeping the puck out of the net" it is very apparent that the goalie's stick is probably the most multi-purpose piece of equipment a goaltender will ever use. The stick is integral to many different aspects of goaltending as long as it is used "actively". Again, MTN would like to stress that using the stick to stop pucks is only a small sampling of the ways in which it can be used.

Active stick skills can be categorized into four different types of applications:

Save Selection

Of course, the first use of the goal stick that comes to mind is the use of the stick for making saves on shots along the ice. As discussed in other threads it is extremely important to use the stick for as many shots along the ice as possible in order to make the puck do what is desired by the goaltender, depending on the situation. We also see the stick being an integral part of the paddle down move and can be used on shots off the ice on the blocker side as well. Goalies in the old days were quite adept at using the paddle of the stick to make saves. Although a full blocker save on shots just above the blocker side pad is preferred it is still important that goalies have the stick paddle save selection in their toolbox.

Rebound Control

Again, we can break down stick usage for rebound control into two different sections. First, is the use of the stick for directing rebounds to the areas desired according to rebound priorities in a given situation. Initial shots can be deflected into the body, over the glass, to the corners, back to the shooter, or to create long rebounds. The other way goalie sticks are used for rebound control is to pull the puck in for the goalie to smother. It is very important that goalies are able to pull any pucks, that are within reach of a goaltender holding their stick properly at the top of the paddle, in to be covered for a faceoff. Using the stick to corral rebounds is a game saving skill.

Crease Control

Controlling the blue paint is one of the ways to "keep the puck out of the net". Often by controlling the paint like a shark in your own ocean a save is not going to be required. Goalies can control the paint by getting a stick on any passes that are made within reach that is going through the crease. Goalies need to make sure that no passes are allowed through the paint either from behind the net to the slot or accross the crease. A well placed stick will breakup passes that, if received, will become an excellent scoring chance.

Poke and sweep checks are tools that often do not even count as a save but are excellent for controlling the paint. A well timed and well placed poke/sweep check can prevent a play from developing or may catch an attacker off guard while they try to decide what they are trying to do. Again, MTN needs to emphasize the fact that a save is often not required.

Puckhandling/Transition Skills

A goalie that develops strong puckhandling skills can discourage or breakup the opposing forecheck and setup. Hockey is about puck possession and a strong puckhandling goaltender can help make sure their team has possession of the puck more than the other team. **Goaltenders, anything you expect your d-men to be able to do, they should expect you to do as well.** Again, handling the puck does not involve making saves. Any coach who claims that all they want is for their goalie is to stop the puck is actually lying! Imagine their reaction if their goaltender only sat back and waited for shots to come their way. How would the coach feel if the d-men were getting pounded relentlessly and the transition required a regroup every time? Chances are the coach will be ticked if all a goalie does is wait to stop the puck.

More on the topic of "keeping the puck out of the net" later...