How can I improve my Reaction time? I'm an Ice Hockey Goaltender and need help?

Question

I am a 4th year, 16 year old Minor Hockey goaltender and need help with improving my reaction time, and also if you know any good focusing and concentration drills that would be good too :) Any help will be appreciated, thank you for your time

Answer 1

the best way is to throw a tennis ball against a wall and catch it ,at the same time getting your body in front of the ball also..keep doing this until it becomes easy,then move a little closer to the wall.you could use an indian rubber ball,but I think you should stay with the tennis ball....good luck and stay with it every day....g.f/

Answer 2

Strictly speaking your reaction time and hand speed (and leg speed) are different things.

Reaction time is mostly genetic (hard wired) but there are a few things you can do to maximize your potential. Video games (as suggested by another answer) can help a bit but not that much.

Speed is directly related to strength. Do some weight training but not so much as you lose range of motion - do lots of stretching as well to maintain flexibility. (it IS possible to be both strong and flexible) You don't want to bulk up a lot but you do want to work on those fast-twitch muscle fibres.

Seeing the puck and positioning are also important aspects of goaltending but aren't really related to reaction time.

Answer 3

I remember Patrick Roy saying in an interview that he played a lot of fast-paced video games (can't remember which ones though). Apparently it helped with his hand-eye coordination and reaction time.

Maybe something nuts like Geometry Wars on xBox360 would help but definitely, on-ice practice is your most important tool.

Answer 4

To work on seeing the puck I would buy about 5-20 white pucks and have your goalie coach use those in practice for normal drills to make you focus on the puck and I would buy a reaction ball (a ball with about 6 bumbs) and throw that against a wall and try to catch it (if u do buy a ball u don't need to aim it goes every which direction because of those bumbs)..

Answer 5

There are no techniques which will improve reaction time except a lot of practice with shooters who are proficient. The more shots on goal the more aware you become to the skater's speed, the speed of the puck the angle of attack, the quickness of the pass and the position to make a save..You must learn to be active, to cut down the angle for the opponents shot and not expose your self to an easy goal. Again much practice!!

Answer 6

Yes and no. They don't wear the same shin pads players do, but they were those big ones, also called 'Leg pads'. They dont really need both.

Answer 7

there are games online where a light flashes abd you click the mouse as soon as possible, try throwing a bouncie ball, or tennis ball against a wall,

Answer 8

Drink milk

Answer 9

I do the tennis ball drill (in fact just got done with it!).

Answer 10

practice