Goaltender Evaluation and Checklist
In order to become, and improve as, a high level goaltender, the goaltender, coach and evaluator must have the ability to identify strengths and weakness in the goaltender’s game.
Before any evaluation can begin you must ask what is expected of the goaltender and not only from the goaltender, but from their coaches and teammates as well. How does the goaltender perform their individual skills and can the goaltender assimilate those skills into the team systems that the coach is trying to implement is always something that must be addressed.
This evaluation and checklist is designed to help the goaltender, coach, and evaluator think about the daily requirements needed in order for the goaltender and team to experience success.
NOTE: Mind The Net Goaltending would like to remind goaltenders that Section #1 of this evaluation is based on information that can be observed by outside observers (i.e. coaches, scouts/evaluators) and the goaltender alike. Section#2 is based on information that only the goaltender themselves can evaluate.
When ranking oneself it is not critical to worry about whether you score yourself high or not, what you must look for is where your ranking is significantly different from the average. For example if your average ranking is 10 or 11 look for areas that have a score of 7or 8 as an area that needs immediate improvement.
Rating System
Reflect and answer honestly
POOR GOOD EXCELLANT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Section #1: Goaltender and/or Evaluator
POSITIONING
A strong positional approach can lead to shots missing the net or shots not being taken at all because the puck/shooter has nothing to see.
Basic Stance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Maintains fundamentals of stance when moving
Forward, backward, side to side, up, and down.
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Puck stopping/save movements
Not just stopping the puck but being in a position of control while making the save that would enable the goaltender to make a second save if necessary. There must be strong stick presence at all times.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Active Stick skills
Controlling pucks in or moving through the crease.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
BODY POSITION
The idea behind body positioning is being aware of the puck's perspective and understanding which angles, vertically and horizontally, the puck needs to enter the net.
Square to the Puck/Blocking Skills/Simplicity of save selection
Does the puck find the goaltender or do they have to move to make a save. The goaltender should never make the first move but he should always be the first in position.
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Understanding depth
Know how far the goaltender needs to come out to take away the net while maintaining situational awareness.
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Can the goaltender dictate the flow of the game?
Knowing when to put the puck into play and when to slow the game down and freeze it.
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Save Compactness
The puck should not go through or under the goaltender. Compactness preserves the goaltender’s ability to extend. Since the body is coiled and flexed the ability to quickly reposition is maintained with proper body basics intact. The goaltender should seek to build width through proper, chest positioning, arm positioning and centre shifting skills.
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Rebound Control
Priority of rebounds a) Control at body b) Put puck over glass c) Put puck in corner d) Put puck back to shooter e) Put puck away from shooter. Can the goaltender control the tempo of the game?
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MOVEMENT AND MOBILITY
The goaltender must be a strong skater with both regular skating and goaltender specific skating skills.
Skating without the puck 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Skating with the puck 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Edge Control
Position specific movements; Sculls, glides, shuffles and stops. The feet are quiet at the point of release. Upperbody, hands and stick all remain steady during all movements.
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Edge Control with POWER
Power is more important than foot speed. If a goaltender can get into position with one powerful, controlled push that goaltender will be better prepared for any situation.
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Recovery
Proper timing and balance.
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DIRECTIONAL MOBILITY/ADJUSTMENTS
The goaltender must maintain square positioning when making adjustments. Edge control, foot speed, co-ordination, timing of shot release are all done simultaneously. Lateral adjustments for staggered feeds has 4 phases 1) Awareness of weak side 2) Initial mobility and body rotation 3) Coverage of lateral distance 4) Save positioning. The goaltender builds coverage on lateral feeds using the following, Low net, Middle net, built from a low middle coverage point.
Lateral while up 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Lateral while down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Forward adjustment while up 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Forward adjustment while down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Backwards adjustments 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
NOTE: Goaltenders must be able to move as well on their knees as they can on their feet.
TRANSITIONAL/TEAM SKILLS
To excel fully in the transitional game the goaltender must understand all facets of the game. He must understand his own team’s breakout systems and also be able to recognize opponents fore-checking systems.
The goaltender should be mobile with the puck, to avoid pressure while regaining net protection and creating more passing options. In today’s game the goaltender plays two dominant roles, 1) Puck stopping and 2) the importance of goaltender transition. By handling the puck the goaltender takes pressure off his defence, increasing their energy level over the course of the game.
Remember to have patience, you have more time than you think as the fore checker cannot hit you and must either stop or skate by you. Use fakes, screen the fore checker after a pass and delay him if a swing occurs.
Stick Handling 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Passing Forehand 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Passing Backhand 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Shooting Forehand 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Shooting Backhand 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Blocker hand only – Forehand 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Blocker hand only – Backhand 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sets and dump-in control
The goaltender must be able to consistently control and settle down any dumps within 15' of the net including behind the net. The goaltender must place the puck in a position that makes for easy and safe pickup by a teammate.
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Understanding of breakouts, penalty killing and power play formations
Goaltenders must understand the all-around game tactics of not only the opposition but their own team as well.
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Recognizing opponents fore-checking systems
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Short transition skills
Goaltenders need to be aware of the short plays that can be made, in zone, to aid in the transition out of the zone.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Long transition skills
Is the goaltender aware of the opportunities, due to the no center line rule, to move the puck out of zone in a manner that leads to a quicker attack?
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COMMUNICATION
Phases of communication can include warnings about pressure, notification of time and space, information on pressure and support, body and verbal support for team systems. Taking charge and being a leader on and off the ice creates an atmosphere of confidence in the goaltender. There are three keys to effective communication: a) Volume b)Short Phrases c)Timing
Verbal 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Physical (Body Language) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Understanding the rules of the Game 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Linear Mode
