Does anyone have tips on how to be a better goalie?

Question

I'm 14 years old and im an ice hockey goalie. I really really have a passion for this sport and love goaltending, and i wouldnt want any other sport to play in. Do any of you have any advice for me to get better? Thank you!! I appreciate it!

-Matt

Answer 1

Here are a few from a former goalie. I mean, I kind of sucked, but it was from inability moreso than lack of understanding! Here goes:

1. Practice, practice, practice!!! This should go without saying, but lots of people don't put in the time, and then wonder why they are not good. Play whenever you can.

2. Work on your skating. This is what killed me. I didn't skate worth crap. You would think goaltenders wouldn't have to skate as well as forwards and defensemen, and you would be wrong. So skate whenever you can!

3. Work on your fundamentals. Some of this might seem obvious, but stay square to the puck. Keep your glove up and ahead of you. Pay attention at all times, even when the puck is up the ice! Keep your stick down and your blocker out in front of you, square to the puck. Be patient and do not overcommit to the puck too soon. Stay balanced. And above all, NEVER take your eye off of the puck. Watch it into your pads. Watch it into your glove. Watch it into your body, or you'll be watching it go into the net. And never give up on the puck until the whistle blows.

4. Exercise. At your age, especially make sure you do LOTS and LOTS of stretching. You want to be as flexible as possible. Run a lot. Ride a bike a lot. Stay in shape, especially doing cardiovascular stuff that gets your heart pumping. You probably do not need to do a lot of weight training yet, but if you do, get someone who knows what they are doing to help. Flexibility and stamina are more important for you than power.

5. Visualize. When you are not playing, think about playing. You don't have to eat, sleep, and breathe hockey 24/7, but as often as you can imagine yourself playing. Imagine yourself making the saves. Imagine yourself doing it right. Repeat your moves over and over again in your head. Imagine your successes.

6. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Learn from them. Be angry when you screw up! But then figure out what you did wrong, and forget about it. It's over. Now move on. The ability to learn from your mistakes, then LET THEM GO will be essential to your success.

7. Watch all the hockey you can watch. Study it. Watch the goalies. See what they do. Listen to the commentators. They will make suggestions. They will point out when the goalie is sitting too far in his net, or coming out too far. They will point out when he was not set or if he did not have his glove up. They will point out when he went down too soon. Watch what your favorite goalie does when he makes a big save, or even a dull looking save. In fact, if he has to make a really great save, he probably was out of position!

8. Above all, have fun!!! If you have fun and enjoy what you do, you'll be better at it.

I hope this was helpful and not too elementary. You're probably further along than I was at your age. Good luck!

Answer 2

Practice is a gimmy

Play video games. no joke. they really improve your reflexes, and if you dont have reflexes you cant be a goalie. Also, i saw in sports illustrated this thing Drew Brees does to help him react better. have some one ask you a question and immediately after they ask it they throw a card. answer the question AND catch the card. answer the question before catching the card though.

The card drill improves hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and the ability to think really fast. and the thing is the question can be about anything, but its best if the question relates somewhat to your sport, ie hockey.

Also try playing Catcher in Baseball. I play 2nd base but I know enough that the only difference between a catcher and a goalie is that a catcher can usually hit and throw far, whereas a goalie can skate fast. Seriously, a major league catcher gets as much work as a hockey goalie. A good slap shot in the NHL is about the same speed as an average fastball by a starting pitcher in the MLB

but above all

PRACTICE

Answer 3

Don't over-play the puck. One of the goalies on my team last year skated out to play the puck way too much instead of just stopping it behind the net. As a defenseman, I hated when my goalie is trying to pass it the length of the ice cause it almost always led to 2 or 3 on 1 rushes that I had to break up.

Answer 4

Of Course Practise. The more pucks you face the better. I was never a goaltender, but I know a guy who would emulate pro goalies. How they cut down angles, lateral body movement.

One tip for breakaways (this is also good for shooters). On a breakaway it's harder to read what a player is going to do if he carries the puck at his side. ie. shoot or deek. So a player carrying the puck out in front of him; his only option is to deek.

Answer 5

Hey I'm 14, and i also play goalie.What i do is play on my rink in my backyard...i get my dad to shuffle the puck around and make loud nosies for distractions, so what I'm learning here is how to stay focused on the player and the puck. One other tip is watch the players eyes.....and were ever they look shift over to that side or put your stick etc. in that direction!!! This helps me (but I'm a girl so maybe the other girls have a less harder shot then the guys do)Well i hope i helped bye <3

Answer 6

Practice is the best thing but work on dropping down and getting back up as quick as you can. If you are playing butterfly, you should be able to drop and get right back up for the rebound (if there is one). Also work on laterall movement, side to side, and hug those posts.

Answer 7

Just keep your eyes on the puck and go were ever it go's

Answer 8

Don't let the puck in!

Answer 9

gryz?