Skating Ability & Goaltending

By Todd Lightfoot, BTP Goalie Coach - COPYRIGHT  © 2007  All Rights Reserved.

Nothing is more irritating than watching a hockey practice down at the association level, or any level for that matter, where the coach doesn't have the goalie skating the same drills as the rest of the team.  I can't sugar coat this one!  If the skating drill does not involve the player shooting the puck at the goalie, then the goalie skates the drill!  No exceptions here! There is the old saying and there is the truth, in this case they're one and the same, "The goaltender must be the best skater on the team!"  Until the goalie is the best skater on the team, they sure as heck will get tired trying to be the best skater on the team.  There are a number of reasons that I have this strong of an opinion on this subject matter, and that's what I'm on a tangent about this month!  So let's get into it!

Reason #10.  As goalie coaches, we can not teach a goalie how to move in the net, teach save technique, or anything else, if our student can not skate, does not have confidence in their skating ability, or has been told that goalies don't have to be "good" skaters!

# 9. A goaltenders ability to gain good initial depth and angle position in a extremely timely fashion is totally dependant on their skating ability.

# 8.  A goaltenders ability to transition from save to recovery is totally dependant on their skating ability.

# 7.  A goaltenders balance and weight distribution is totally dictated by and dependant on their skating ability.

# 6.  A goaltender who can not skate will not have the ability to "play the puck" without dire consequences.

# 5.  Just as for any other hockey player, the game is not fun if the player is not confident in their skating ability.

# 4.  A goaltenders ability to develop and advance to the next level is directly impacted by their skating ability.  

# 3.  A goaltenders ability to maintain mental awareness on the ice is directly impacted by their skating ability.

# 2.  A goaltenders ability to earn the respect of their team mates is directly impacted by their willingness to skate as hard and as often as their team mates do during practice.

# 1.  A goaltender who is a weak skater will not be effective.

As parents and coaches, it is our responsibility to encourage our goalies to get on the ice and skate as much and as often as possible.  Public skating at the local rink, on the pond or lake, or on the backyard rink at home or a friends... let them have at it.  They have fun, gain confidence and ability, and it will have a positive impact on their game!

Movement Fundamentals Straight line vs. C-cuts

By Jeremy Kaleniecki, BTP Asst. Camp Director & Goalie Coach - COPYRIGHT  © 2007  All Rights Reserved.

I n analyzing the different goalies styles and their movements, the two main types of basic movements arise, straight line movement and c-cut movement. This month, I'd like explore both of these skating movements, address the pros and cons of each, so you can decide which is the best for your game.

Straight line movement is exactly what it sounds like, straight lines. Any movement around the crease is done in straight lines, using shuffles to cover short distances like following a shooter around the zone, and t-pushes for longer distances such as passes around the crease.

C-cut movement uses only c-cuts to move around the crease. Backward, forward and repositioning laterally you open up into a c-cut instead of a shuffle or t-push.

Some advantages to straight line movement are speed and quickness. In general theory, the quickest way between two points is a straight line. The same holds true for goalies without exception. It truly represents the fastest way to get from one point around the crease to another covering the shortest distance as well as maximizing angle coverage. This method also provides better and more discrete ways of anticipating the play. You can use your speed to draw shooters into thinking there is more to shoot at than there really is. The straight line movement allows for hesitation in your movements, in any direction, so a shooter sees more net in a given area. Just as he shoots, you move into the shot.

Advantages to c-cut movements are very similar to straight line movement but with a different philosophy. The belief with c-cut movement is to maximize your readiness and angle by getting to the center of the net before challenging your angle. Instead of going point to point, the goaltender will c-cut reversely to the center of the net, then c-cut out to the angle where the shooter is. The idea here is, if you can get to the center of the net, you will be able to maximize the amount of net you cover if you can't get into position quick enough. With c-cut movements, a goaltender never really uses t-pushes and only integrates shuffles when necessary. It is simple c-cuts in and out to cover the distance.

Straight Line movement is normally best used by smaller goaltenders can, usually are faster and more agile. However, this represents a stereotype, remember, there are exceptions to every rule. A large goaltender that moves technically sound, in a straight line movement will be the largest threat to a shooter. In general though straight line is used by goaltenders who at all times want and need to be at the maximum angle in case of a shot even, if it means being late getting into position. If you're late using straight line movement you still will have your depth and angle covered which is most important.

C-cut movement is usually seen with larger goaltender who, may lack the skating skills necessary to straight line movement. Again I stress these are just generalizations.  Most goaltenders who are larger, have an advantage over smaller goaltenders, but when it comes to movement, the smaller goaltenders usually rule. Larger goaltenders don't have to achieve maximum depth at all times because their size compensates for this.  Unlike our smaller goaltenders, this freedom just means they just get hit with the puck important as lateral angle.   

The disadvantages to straight line movement are that you have to move a lot more during a game, you get fatigued quicker. It's much more apparent when a goaltender gets tired as well, he tries not to move as much and may be late getting into position. Another thing to keep in mind is that this type of movement requires a level of technique that has to be practiced over time. If you are not flawless with your movements, you will be more, no, much more vulnerable to on coming shots.

Disadvantages to C-cuts are vulnerability, if you are caught deep while in your reverse c-cut you will be vulnerable in the high corners. I see this time and time again, where a goaltender using c-cuts gets into the proper lateral angle but isn't able to gain depth so the shooter scores in the top corners. In tight scrambles and in situations where a lot of distances needs to be covered quickly this type of movement is insufficient to get you into position.

The ideal goaltender is a master of their blades, confident in their skating ability, and utilizes both of these types of movement.  The ability to move differently in demanding situations allows the goaltender more flexibility.  The goalie who can mix it up isn't as easily read and the shooter doesn't know what to expect because the predictability isn't there.  The goalie who utilizes both movement techniques can also regulate their physical output during a game, thus giving an energy reserve later on in a game situation.