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Do you have questions, queries, posers about goaltending? MTN invites goalies, Moms, Dads and Coaches to submit them to us. Anything goaltender related. From technique, rules, equipment, nutrition, self-promotion, etc... MTN will endeavor to find you an answer!
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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.
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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 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.
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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...
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| 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.
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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?
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MTN's Reply.... Hello Kristin |
| 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.
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MTN's Reply.... Hello Jason |
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?
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| 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. |
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. 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.
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| 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. |
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. |
