What makes a goalie great

That's easier said than done. Below are the qualities that I recommend focusing on. Admittedly, there's going to be some overlap. That, I think, speaks to the complexity of the position. Emotional Courage. Despite the improvement in goaltending gear, getting hit with a puck can still hurt. A lot. Much like a positional player can't shy away from the corners, afraid that he might get pancaked by a defenseman or forechecker, a goalie has to accept that he or she will occasionally get a stinger.

Knowing that, and still bearing down on each shot without flinching, while remaining cool and calm, takes guts. The ability to handle pressure is paramount. You're going to get knocked down. Few goalies go through life without giving up bad goals. And these days, when goalies are becoming so dominant, and goals are even harder to come by, the pressure to be perfect has never been greater.

Dealing with that requires intestinal fortitude. Some kids are naturally confident. Others gain a measure through hard work, repetition, and experiencing the success that often results.

Confidence isn't arrogance. It's a belief that, no matter shots may have gotten behind you, the next one won't. And it's not enough for a goalie to be sure about his or her own abilities.

They have to exude confidence. A team needs to believe in its goaltender. If it doesn't, it's starting the game behind the 8-ball, and will almost certainly play tentatively. The notion of "taking ownership" is vital for goaltenders. As great as he was, Patrick Roy had an annoying habit of showing up his defense when he felt a goal wasn't his "fault. Patrick — they were all his fault. Because he only had one job, and that was to keep the puck out of the net.

Goalies need to accept this reality. If they do, their teammates will play harder in front of them. I guarantee it. A goalie has to "want it" to be great.

He or she has to care. Passion is what drives a young goaltender to work hard every time he or she is on the ice. Passion means taking care of your gear, getting to the rink early, helping your teammates. Simply, it means doing whatever it takes to win.

A sense of humor. This is one of the most underrated traits for a goaltender. At the end of the day, hockey, for the vast majority of players, is still a game.

It's not a job. You have to be able to enjoy it. It's been my experience that the more fun kids have, the less likely they'll burn out. This is really about perspective. Mental Analytical. For all his physical gifts, Marty Brodeur had an almost uncanny ability to read a hockey game. I believe that was a pivotal part of his greatness. Good goalies are usually students of the game. During actual games, a sharp goalie will pick up on tendencies of the opposing team and other details — is the attacking player a right shot or left?

The flip side is to not "overthink" things. Not only do you need to be very fast off the line , but be fearless in that five-second charge. You also have to be fit enough to do it over and over again in a match. This means your training should concentrate on short sprints and surges, repetitively. Preparation is key to being able to keep this up for the whole game. Please remember to play safe and wear the correct protection.

I am thinking about returning to field hockey at the age of What are you thoughts after a long time out of the game. I was a goalkeeper! Great decision to get back into field hockey. Fitness would be the first thing to tackle. Being older than when you last played, take more time to stretch. Both before the game to prevent injuries, and after to help with the recovery. Finding the right team is the key. Can always step it up from there. I am new to goal keeping and i am all ready playing under 17 and B grade girls goalie.

Your email address will not be published. In the zone. Knowing where you are on the ice With such intense concentration on the puck it would seem quite easy for a goalie to find himself moving out of position. In the zone Mental preparation for Hrudey starts days before a game. He mentioned that he thinks about the players on the opposing team and their possible strategies.

Kelly Hrudey on what it's like to be in the zone. The expression "in the zone" is used in a variety of different sports. When a goalie is in the zone he seems invincible to the opposing players. Purpose: To maximize net coverage and ability to move while maintaining balance. Body Position:. Glove positioning: Focus: Glove positioning Note: The glove positioning descriptions that follow are based on the face of a clock facing the shooter.

Four common glove positions :. Colorado Springs Tigers Hockey. Tips for Goalies. Tips for Goalies This page provides information specific to the Goalie position and tips for any player interested in being a Goalie. Goaltender Habits: Butterfly: Be on top of your b-fly meaning that you are not sitting too far back and making yourself small Chest should be up and gloves out in front to cut off higher shots Stick on ice covering five hole and in position to deflect low shots to corners Pads out to side and flush to ice to not allow any pucks underneath Rebounds: Move into shot to help deflect puck into corner instead of out in slot All low shots should be deflected with stick to corners or high into stands Watch puck into body If rebound allowed, always get up with outside leg first so that at all times you will be in a push position Paddle Down: Should only be used in tight around the crease area.

Good for wrap around attempts to shut down everything low Keep glove up and out in front to help cut down angle to high shots Get back into Butterfly position or on feet if puck moves outside of your perimeter.

Do not use paddle down as a crutch for not seeing the puck on screen shots Screen Shots: Attempt to look high above or slightly to side of the screen to find the puck Avoid crouching really low and spreading legs too wide as you lose ability to push laterally Move into the shot and be as close to the tip as possible to smother the ability to redirect the puck The percentage of shots that make it through screens end up low.