Mitch Korn's Goaltending Commandments

Mitch Korn is the Nashville Predators Goaltender coach and these commandments are from his web site www.mitchkorn.com .

• It is not IF, you leave your feet - you must - it is WHEN and HOW you leave your feet .
• Leave your feet for a reason.
• Always give yourself a chance to make a save. How, arrive early, and try to be "set" when a shot is taken. Stay off your butt.
• Always close holes. Murphy's law says that if there is a hole, the puck will find it. Eliminate goals that go through you or off you.
• Be able to do everything equally as well to your right, as to your left (and vise versa) either stationary, moving forward, backward or laterally.
• Be "fast and flexible" - able to handle many situations and to make quick "transition" from move to move, as the puck changes location.
• Bring your entire "package to the puck." Avoid planting your "back foot" when moving or saving. It opens holes.
• Never let a player score a goal (especially a breakaway) from inside your crease. No puck should be passed through your reach - know the range and limits of your stick.
• Be patient. Don't beat yourself. Avoid leaving your feet when a player is moving across the front of the net. Don't poke check a player straight on, they have a low success rate and you will probably give up a "lay up" goal.
• You cannot play mad. When you give up a goal do not bang your stick, yell at your defensemen or get all worked up. Put it behind you and get ready for the next save. You must be mentally strong.
• Your goal stick is the most important piece of equipment. Have a hard, disciplined stick. No sloppy sticks. Keep it involved in save making and rebound control. Learn to make use of the stick to poke check, break up centring passes, clear/pass the puck, stop pucks dumped in, etc.
• A screen is not an excuse for a goal. You must "fight the screen" to find the puck.
• There is no substitute for hard work. You practice as you play. Everybody can work harder, do things faster, and focus better.
• Never quit on a puck.
• Avoid giving up goals from the outside thirds of the ice. That is a bad angle goal.
• You can't be a star without exceptional skating ability, outstanding athleticism, good lower body flexibility, and the ability to read and react.
• The best goaltenders have a burning desire to " make a difference every time they play and never make excuses. They take responsibility for their play. They blame no one.
• Don't let a player beat you with his hands. Recognize off-side wings, drag snap shots, and puck repositioning tactics used to "open up the net", while you try to "close up the net". "Adjust".
• Hockey is a series of situations, not a series of shots. Situations may or may not end with a shot. Goalies play situations, not just shots.
• Don't create extra work for yourself - Control or deflect all rebounds away from danger. Be smart when you handle the puck to avoid turnovers.
• Do not be a "goal line goalie". Challenge the shooters within limits of the situation at hand. Always balance out the "front door" with the "back door", and your size with your reaction and movement time.