Mind the Net

From Jim...

I have read a lot of your material and respect and hold in high regard your opinions about the ever-changing world of goaltending. Indeed, you fully understand the position and its importance to a hockey team. In the new game, a good goaltender can definitely be the difference in a team's success when all other things are seemingly equal. It is great to have a resource team like MTN available to goaltenders in the Saskatoon and surrounding area. Your website is also a valuable resource - great job and keep up the good work.

Anyway, my question has to do with the trend that I see developing in shifting towards the teaching of goaltenders to utilize the full butterfly blocking save almost exclusively with strong rebound control. I realize that the full butterfly is an invaluable tool in the goalie's toolbox, but what is your take on this idea? It is being promoted more and more and does have some merit to it. The reasoning I have heard is that save selections such as a half-butterfly or pad extension ultimately end up creating holes and extra movement, whereas the full butterfly when executed properly creates a much larger blocking area, as we know. So should goalie's abandon the half-butterfly or pad extension saves?

Other "modern" ideas being promoted utilize the VH / one knee down blocking position almost exclusively, as well as a lot of paddle down usage and butterfly slides. Again, all of these techniques and tactics have their place, but are these schools limiting the goalie's development by relying on these almost exclusively? I still believe a goalie needs to be able to scramble, play stand up on the posts on certain applications, and be able to make the desperate save when they end up out of position, which inevitably happens. It is not a matter of if, but when this happens.

Your thoughts on these concerns are greatly appreciated.

MTN's Reply....

There are a few things we believe in about goaltending, and hopefully I can express them to you in a few written words.

When it comes to stopping the puck, we stress to try and be in a position to use a blocking save (up or down depending on situation) first. As the puck starts from the ice and most shots are on the bottom third of the net, it is only logical that a butterfly will be used. Timing of the butterfly drop is vital. However, this is not always possible and other methods have to be explored. Again a blocking save will usually control the initial shot better.

Reaction saves lose some of that control. Goaltenders should always explore different save selections and styles. We like to explain it as tools in a tool box. You may not use it often but you will never use it if you do not know how to use it.

Styles and save selection use, can and should depend on the goaltender.

That being said, the philosophies of goaltending should always be in place.

Keep it Simple
Be Versatile
Stay Compact
Be Patient
Use Puck Handling

See article at http://www.mtngoaltending.com/articles.htm

What we try to do, hopefully, is expose the reasons to the goaltender so they know - When, Why and How they opt to use what they use.

Being a student of the game, using tactics, statistics, strong visual attachments, on and off ice communication, etc, all help the goaltender in their focus of “Keeping the Puck” Out of the net.

Hope this helps.

From Jim again...

What is your take on the trend of utilizing the full butterfly to the exclusion of the half-butterfly? It seems it's becoming the way of the modern goaltender. I don't have any objection to utilizing the full butterfly, as it is a great tactical response to today's game. But will this limit the goalie's abilities and hamper development? As you have stated before, the more tools in the toolbox - the greater chance of success. I have probably just answered my own question...

MTN's Reply....

I think you did answer your own question.

The half butterfly can / should be practiced . It is a great save for directing the low shot where you want it to go, when you require puck direction. The problem we have noticed is that when most goalies use it they do not always seal the ice with the flared leg. Sometimes leaving the knee slightly up off the ice. This can create holes (loss of compactness) creating the goalies worse nightmare, a goal that goes under them.

It seems to be easier for most goalies to seal the ice by driving both their knees downward by using primarily the butterfly.

A well rounded goalie should be capable of all movements.

Will their development be hampered if they ignore a tool? Who is to say. There are lots of goalies out there that still have success, yet still have some flaws to their game. No one is perfect, but if we strive for perfection, some sort of success should follow.

From Kristin...

I have a question about butterfly slides. When I try to slide across the net from a butterfly position, I end up spinning in circles. I can slide well from a standing position. Do you have any suggestions?

MTN's Reply....

Hello Kristin

Sorry for the late reply. In regards to your problem I am going to base my answer on how I have seen goalies spin when attempting the butterfly slide. I think we will go back to some of the basics. First, you need to make sure your initial butterfly is done correctly with your thighs tight, hands in front and slightly lowered, stick in front, pads flared out with the skate blades angled closer to the ice rather than up and down and the shoulders must be high.

By keeping the shoulders high your butterfly is tall, a low or collapsed butterfly make a backside recovery/lateral slide (butterfly slide from down position) sets the goaltender off balance. Once the butterfly is executed correctly you can examine yourself doing the following process:
- start by driving your pushing knee up until the knee and back of the thigh rise of the pad are directly in front of the same side of the chest.
- after driving the knee up and in front of the chest the entire skate blade from toe to heel must be in contact with the ice.
- make sure the pushing foot is completely square to the puck (pointing straight forward).
- make sure the lead leg is flared out and completely flat on the ice. Do not lift the lead pad.
- now, push directly out to the side using the whole skate blade. If you are rotating/spinning you are probably pushing with the toe of the blade only. By using the whole blade you have more edge to help you move with power and control.
-Once you push bring your pushing leg in quickly to close all holes.

**Remember: You need to do all this from the proper butterfly position and must keep the hands and stick in proper position, in front and square to the puck to keep balanced.**

By bringing your pushing leg back into position quickly you will close holes and you will naturally rotate slightly which is beneficial. Slight rotation is good, spinning or over rotation is bad.

It sounds like you need to use the entire blade of the skate to push and must keep your toe facing forward. Basically, make sure everything is done technically well and then practice, practice, practice. Once you recognize the proper movement continue working on it when you can to ensure the muscle memory can begin.

Hopefully this helps. If you have further questions please let me know. For more info check out our website and look at the article titled "A Breakdown of Butterfly Recoveries".

Thanks for the inquiry,
Mind The Net Goaltending

From Jason Moran....

Hi I am 31 and just starting my second full year as a goalie in my no hit league in moose jaw. I am loving the position and have had some leasons from the warriors goalie in the summer. But I find my self out of position lots when the puck is in close and I need to move back and fourth in the butterfly position between the pipes. Do you offer any schools or know of any first for adults or for someone in my situation.

MTN's Reply....

Hello Jason

Sorry about the late reply. In response to your questions I will start by saying that I do not know of any schools in Saskatchewan geared directly towards adults. We have been geared directly to goalies looking to play elite hockey but have had more interest from goalies such as yourself. Right now, we do not usually do in season consultations/private lessons due to time restraints and travel considerations. We will be available for private lessons during the summer on the same nights we have our Top Prospects and Midget "AAA" Prep and Atom/PeeWee camps in Aberdeen, SK. Our camp dates are:

Friday July 18 - Sunday July 20
Friday August 22 - Sunday August 24
Thursday July 24 - Sunday July 27
Monday July 28 - Friday August 1
Tuesday August 5 - Saturday August 9

If we have more inquiries we may consider a camp for Rec and Senior goalies during some evenings or over a weekend, where I do not know.

I am sorry that we cannot be more helpful at this time. I hope you will be in touch if you have some future ideas where we could work together. If all else fails please take a look at our articles on our website.

Thank you for the inquiry. Keep sticking with it, being a goalie is the greatest position in hockey (in all sports). Welcome to the brotherhood.

From Chris...

I have a question about the glove position in the butterfly. Generally, I have noticed that there are two ways that instructors are teaching goalies to hold their glove in the butterfly. One is like where the T part of the glove is facing straight down, and the other is like where the T part of the glove is facing to the side. Which is a better position in the butterfly and why?

MTN's Reply....

I will attempt to answer your question related to glove positioning in the butterfly. Like most things involved with goaltending the glove positioning has more to do with comfort, the situation and understanding the pros and cons of each kind of strategy.

The reasoning behind the glove facing towards the ice with the "T" of the glove facing down (1 o'clock position) look at several aspects. The first is based on the trajectory of the puck. From the perspective of the puck, the glove is closer to the puck. Ian Clarke, the goalie coach for the Vancouver Canucks, believes the puck is easier to catch in this position and that if the puck is not caught, it is going straight back towards the ice for easier rebound control. In terms of using this style regularly, I have a few concerns. In terms of using the butterfly, the biggest advantage of using the butterfly is when it is used close to the net. The closer to the net the puck is, the more a goalie needs to be compact (no holes underneath or through the body). I find that the hand over top position makes it hard to close the hole between the glove and the top of the pad. I also find it hard to make a quick read by pushing the glove up in this position.

We, at Mind The Net, teach a hands down and forward position (hands at the four or five o'clock position). In this position, the elbows automatically close keeping everything compact. I find that with the gloves coming forward, the stick comes forward with angle which allows for easier rebound control for pucks shot along the ice. With the gloves forward and down, the goalie only needs to move the glove in one direction; up, and also has the elbow available for a shot up high. With the glove in the 1 o'clock position, the elbow is less available for a quick reaction save.

Essentially, Chris, what style you use depends on comfort and how well you close holes. As long as you make sure that nothing goes through you or under you, how you do so is up to you. I highly suggest the hands forward, down and stick with angle. We have had a number of our goalies find success with this approach.

Hopefully this gives you a good answer. E-mail us with any further questions.

From Wendy, a new hockey Mom......

My husband and I have a 10 yr old son who has been bitten by the hockey bug early on. He has recently started playing roller hockey as a goalie and just recently went through a tryout for LIHA (Lincoln Ice Hockey Association) Squirt Travel Hockey team. He did not make the team but the coach was extremely impressed with his raw abilities. He said that for someone who had never been on the ice before, let alone in goalie gear, he was keeping up with the kids that had played for the past 2-3 yrs together. The coach would like to see my son get some ice expierence under his belt and then try again next season for a traveling team. My son has made the select team and house team for the Squirt Ice and will finish his roller hockey season this Friday.

The questions I have are:

What recommendations do you have for a young player to get started?

What camps/clinics etc. do you know of that are available to young players?

We live in Nebraska and are willing to do some traveling to get him the exposure needed so he can be successful at this. I have video and pictures if that would help. Basically there is no year round ice near us, and I have no idea what to do or offer to my son. ANY advice would be greatly appreciated.

MTN's Reply.....

Thank you for the e-mail, I will give you the best explanation I can. First, your son is making a great choice by wanting to play hockey and by becoming a goalie. Goaltending is the best, hardest and most misunderstood position in hockey, if not all team sports. Anyways, on to your questions. First of all you will need to do some research into what goaltending schools are offered in your state as well as the surrounding states. Next you need to look at what age groupings are taught for each school and can accomodate your son. Our goalie school is based out of Saskatchewan, Canada and may not be a realistic option for you but there are a number of reputable goalie schools throughout North America that would be beneficial to your son. I recommend looking for a goalie school that has a low student:instructor ratio and takes goaltenders who are around the same age. It is also beneficial for you to get involved with the goaltending learning process as much as you can tolerate as this will only help your son. You will want to make sure parents are welcome at any camp you take your son.

As far as some possible camps just do a google search and you will find many, although I will talk about the benefits of travelling to ours if so desired a little later. Look into Mitch Korn, The Goalie Academy, Popa Goaltending, Future Pro and of course us, Mind The Net.

For beginner advice I will say that both the goalie and parents need to have tough skin because the goalie is often misrepresented and miscoached so seek outside resources. As far as equipment goes always buy equipment that fits and, if buying used, has been properly maintained/broken-in. Goalie equipment cannot be bought to grow into because the key to goaltending is positioning, skating and movement which can not be hindered by large or small equipment. Look into getting goalie skates if he is going to be a full-time goalie they are made to help goaltenders move properly. As far as ice all year round it is not bad to have a break in the summer with the exception of attending a goalie school. He is a kid and should have fun and possibly play other sports or roller hockey as expressed. Once he gets to be 15 years and up then a more serious apporoach to the summer may be taken. If you are willing to travel then just look for the goalie school that seems to be the best fit for your family.

Just to end I would like to tell you that we have just had our first camp aimed to the age group of your son, with rave reviews. We offer a 3-day camp for kids in the Atom/PeeWee age groups (9-13years). Our student instructor ratio was 2.5:1 as we only take 9 goalies for the camp. We offer 9 hours on the ice with 4.5 hours dedicated strictly to goaltender movement and positioning. The other 4.5 hours the goalies will face shots. 3 hours of classroom and 3 hours of goalie specific dryland instruction. We strongly encourage and enjoy parental involvement both on and off the ice. We try to do the same types of drills and teach the same skills as we teach our elite goaltenders. If you ever want to see some of the Canadaian prairies we feel our program is very strong and would be worth the travel. We are currently looking to book our ice-times for next summer. Would you like information about next summer's camps as soon as the details are ironed out?

One last question - how did you hear of Mind The Net?

Hopefully, this helps.

From Paul, a goalie Dad...

My son is in his second year Atom and I was wondering how you get the correct size pads. He has 25� pads now and they seem fine. But how do you measure that. Also how do you measure the paddle size on the stick. He has a 22� stick now. Is there a rule of thumb for these measurements?

MTN's Reply...

If you go to our website and visit the equipment section, we have a few suggestions.

Generally pads should be fitted with the goalie wearing all his lower body equipment (skates, jock, pants), and their knee should fit into the middle of the knee channel . The thigh rise should be about 3 -5 inches above the knee. For measuring see pads at the above web page.

As per the stick (the most common error among young goaltenders is too small of stick and too big of gloves), while the goaltender is in their basic stance it should be comfortably in front of the goalie with the blade having an angle upwards toward the goaltender (the blade should not be straight up and down when on the ice). With this in mind, while wearing their equipment, have your goalie take their basic stance. Shoulders level, hands level and in front, shoulders, hands, knees and toes facing forward. The proper size stick should fit in their blocker hand and still maintain the blade angle. When the goaltender is moving side ways or up and down the stick should not impede their movement.

Sticks can come in different weights, a bigger paddle with a lighter stick could be a good option and assist your goalie in keeping proper ice contact when moving. One draw back could be that when he drops to a butterfly he could fall on his stick blade if his hands are not properly in front of him. My son (now playing University) has basically played with 25 inch paddle since Novice.