Starting with the feet. This might be one of the most important features of the stance. First it is important to have your feet, just beyond shoulder width apart. This will allow the majority of the weight to be placed onto the inside edge of your skate blades. Having the inside edges activated allows for optimal lateral movement. It’s also important that you have a good knee bend. By doing so, places the majority of the weight onto the balls of your feet.

Moving up from here, it is important to have a good knee bend. By doing so, will ensure that you have a good starting point for any explosive movement you make (whether it be save or a push). You can't skate with straight legs, you can't run with straight legs, nor can a
goaltender move with straight legs. A knee bend is similar to a spring. The more you compress the spring, the more explosive it will be. The same can be said about knee bend, if there is no knee bend an explosive movement is near impossible; however, having a good knee bend allows for the  results  the goaltender requires. So, what is the optimal angle of a knee bend? This is pretty subjective, however, it could be said that somewhere around a 110 degree angle, given that the angle would be at the interior of the knee. 

I think the next important aspect to look at is the back.  It’s an interesting phenomenon, but many tall goaltenders tend to reduce their size by bending over too far in their stance. It is important to have good upper body posture, because good upper body posture allows for good net coverage. So here, the goaltender should keep an upright posture as much as possible which will help the goaltender. An imaginary line that could be drawn from the goaltenders shoulder to the goalies’
knee can display a good measure of proper upper body posture. 

The line does not need to be perfect but it can serve as a good measuring stick. Another reason upper body posture is important is that it also helps the goaltenders balance. Like a pendulum if there is too much weight on one end, the scale is throw off. This analogy can be used for the goaltender. If the upper body is too far forward, the goaltenders balance will be thrown off. Conversely, if the goaltender is too far backward the same effect will occur.

By starting with good upper body position allows the goaltender to finish with good posture. For example, if the goaltender starts with a lean too far forward in their stance, there will be ramifications, for instance, if the goaltender enters their butterfly. Upon butterfly entry the upper body will already be too far forward causing further problems once the butterfly is fully executed. So, proper upper body positioning is not only important for the stance itself, but for other goaltending elements beyond the stance.

The last feature we will look at is the hands. There are a variety of options available to the goaltender here. Looking at the blocker first. The most important element of blocker positioning within the stance is to ensure that there is no double coverage along the blocker side leg. Double coverage is essentially two pieces of equipment covering one area; so, here it would have the blocker over top of the pad. That being said the blocker should be placed to the side. The two most common positions here is one where the wrist is assuming a more rolled out position. This ensures efficient rebound control for pucks directed at the blocker. However, from the pucks vantage point the blocker is not covering all potential net due to the rolled out position. Another option, a flatter blocker position that covers more net from the pucks vantage point.  It can be argued that this position will create rebounds due to the flatter blocking surface; however, proper saving techniques can eliminate this problem. 

The trapper is probably, the most versatile with regards to its positioning. Some advocate having it in tight to the body eliminating that hole between the body and the glove. Others suggest that a rotation of the glove hand, placing your fingers in an up position, can help cut the trajectory of the puck off. Whichever you choose, both have worked for many.

The AG Imperatives:

1. Feet just a bit past shoulder width apart, with a good knee bend
2. Make sure you have good upper body posture
3. Choose glove positioning that is comfortable and does not encourage    
   double coverage.                                      
                                                                                      (back to top)

Prior to the prevalence of butterfly usage, the stick played an important role in handling shots on the ice both directly at or to the side of the goaltender.  As the butterfly (blocking) game gained in popularity, goaltenders simply moved into a butterfly position, kept the stick in front of their body and used his/her pads to stop any shots not directed at the body without much attempt to steer the rebound in a meaningful manner.  And let’s face it, using a pad to control the rebound direction of a shot can be difficult even if the shooting distance is great or the puck is shot a slower speed.  A goaltender’s legs, which contain of some of the largest muscles in the body, are not adept at highly skilled movement.

One of the most versatile but underused tools in the goaltender’s arsenal is his/her stick.  And, since it is controlled by the fastest limbs (arms & hands) the stick, it can be one of the most effective tools to control low shots to the side of the goaltender. Let’s begin by identifying where the stick should be when the goaltender is in a proper stance position, because proper stance is where everything starts.  In that instance the stick blade should be flat on the ice, about 18” in front of the goaltender’s skates and approximately at a 45 degree angle to the goaltender’s body.  Good stick position also dictates that it be directly in front of the goaltender, covering off the 5 hole and not off to one side or the other.  To attain this stick position it is necessary to have the blocker hand positioned just ahead of the pad.  Keeping those hands in an “active” position really simplifies rebound control with the stick.  The gap between the goaltender’s skates and the stick (approximately 18 “) should be maintained whether the goaltender is on his/her skates or in a butterfly position.  Too often, when the goaltender moves into a butterfly position, the stick blade ends up nearly resting against the goaltender’s pads.  This creates a number of problems, not only because the goaltender’s upper body is not compact (arms and elbows are away from the body, creating "holes") but now the position of the stick blade will almost certainly create a rebound from any shot directed at it. 

All good goaltending begins with excellent visual puck contact and using your stick to control an on-ice shot is no different.  We can see in the pictures that with good visual puck contact the head and shoulders have rotated to follow the puck.  This facilitates moving the stick in an arc from it’s original position now to the angled position necessary to direct the puck.  Note that even as the stick is moved to the side the entire stick blade remains on the ice, a gap is maintained between the goaltender’s pad and the stick, and also, that the pad is backing up the stick.

So if the timing is not quite perfect and the puck misses the stick, the goaltender’s pad will absorb the shot.  In any case, the puck
should be directed by the goaltender off his stick high on to the glass behind…...........

Now a quick review:

- proper stance
- good stick gap
- visual puck contact
- head, shoulders and stick rotate into the save
- stick blade travels in arc
- stick blade remains on the ice
- pads back up stick
                                                                                        (back to top)
 

Welcome to article number 1A of a 4 part series. This series will touch
on how the new standard of officiating will affect the modern day goaltender. These four issues will encompass: puck handling, the penalty kill, and breakaways.

Here, in part one of our four part series, we look at puck handling.

It is suffice to say that puck handling has moved itself permanently into the job description of the hockey goaltender. In previous years, a goaltender could get away with only setting pucks up behind the net. Or, might I say, not playing pucks at all. That, my friends is passé, old hat, history. That is not to say you have to be Marty Turco back there. However, what it does mean is that if you’re not a puck handling goaltender, its time to get acquainted with your beloved hands. This article will focus on just that - The goaltender that is not an active puck handler.

The particulars will cover:

1. How the rules are forcing us to play pucks.
2. How we can help the defense before we even touch the puck
3. How we can help the defense behind the net
4. How we can help the defense on the straight dump in, or long shot.

This season a new standard of officiating has swept across the hockey nation. Hockey Canada states, “The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player's progress.” This is translates into a major factor for the puck handling goaltender. For years, a back checking forward was able to tug and hold back the offensive fore-checking player, allowing the defensemen to gain extra time to pick up the dumped puck. Another alternative allowed the back-checker to place a pick on the fore-checker. However, the new standards affect this as well. Hockey Canada indicates that, “the use of a ‘pick’ or a ‘block’ is no longer permitted.” With these new standards, the back checking forward cannot get a stick or place a pick on the fore-checker. Meaning, the defensemen is faced with a fore-checker with unprecedented speed.

Enter the new puck handling goaltender. Here, through either proper puck placement, or playing the puck up, the goaltender can help the defensemen handle this new added pressure. Not only will a good puck handling goaltender help his defensemen out by making a play with the puck, but also, the goaltender can help reduce injury to the defense core. Many defensemen will bare the brunt of jarring hits from the untouched fore-checkers. By either moving the puck for the defense or placing the puck in a position that allows the defense to avoid a hit, will prolong the life on his or her defensemen. So now that we have an understanding of why puck handling is more important. We should now look at what we can do specifically; starting with the goaltender who is not so comfortable handling pucks.

If you are new to this part of the game, don’t panic - You can do numerous things without even touching the puck that can help your defensemen. Firstly, communication with your defense is vital. Yelling, “man on”, or even set plays such as “reverse” or “quick up” will help alleviate some of the pressures placed on the defense.

A good place to start for the beginner is stopping rims. When exiting the crease on the trapper side its important to get your body close to the boards, and place your stick flat on the ice flush with the boards. (See Figure 1A). When your exiting the blocker side make sure your stick leads and touches the boards, allowing for optimal puck reception (See Figure 1B).

In addition to stopping the puck behind the net, it is very important to make sure you exit the crease very quickly, allowing enough time to stop the puck behind the net. How many times have I heard from a goaltender that, “they come so fast once I’m behind the net,” or “it seems like they’re coming from everywhere.” Well this is true, but you can gain the advantage by getting behind the net quickly and allowing enough time to set the puck up for your defensemen.

So, we’re behind the net, we’ve arrived on time, and we’ve
just stopped the puck behind the net, now what? Rule of thumb for the
beginning goaltender is to pull the puck off the boards about 6 inches
and return to the crease (See Figure 2A & 2B).

By pulling the puck off the boards, it allows easy puck access for the defensemen. With that comes a few options for the defensemen. The defense can pick the puck up and skate it, or if there is pressure, he can rim the puck to the winger who is waiting at the hash marks. After the puck has been set up, a quick Fig 2A Fig 2B retreat to the crease will allow the defense room to make his play while handling the pressures of the for-checker.

What about those long shots or dumps? In most cases, the beginner will put the puck in the corner of the rink, making both defensemen and coaches nervous. You have placed your defensemen in a very vulnerable position. The defensemen is now either very susceptible to injury, or you have placed him or her in a bad position to make an effective play.

Depending on the situation there are a few options. If the puck is a long dump - not at the goaltender or a rim, he or she must get out quick (See figure 3). Once the goaltender has retrieved the puck while returning to the net the goaltender should set the puck up on the goal line about 5 feet from the net (See figure 4). This provides the oncoming defensemen with four options. The defensemen can either continue his line behind the net or curl with the puck back to the corner. Or, the defensemen can shoot the puck behind the net or hammer it in the reverse direction towards the corner back Fig 4 up to the winger.

       If there is a long shot, the goaltender should try and get as much
coverage behind the puck as possible (See figure 5). For instance, placing your trapper behind your stick while dropping one knee, provides plenty of extra coverage. Once the puck is under control, the goaltender should place the puck 5 feet to the side of the net on the side in which the defensemen is returning (See figure 4). If the defensemen is not displaying a line of direction, place the puck to a side quickly so he has time to adjust accordingly. Fig 5

The AG imperatives:

1. No matter what you do its imperative to get out of the net quickly. This allows more time to make your play and your decision.
2. When stopping rims, get out early and pull that puck off the boards 6 inches to provide easy access for your defensemen. In addition, it provides more options for your defense.
3. On long shots or straight on dump, once the puck is under control, place the puck on the goal line about 5 feet from the net.
                                                                           (back to top)

      Welcome to article number 1B of a 4 part series. This series will touch
on how the new standard of officiating will affect the modern day goaltender. These four issues will encompass: puck handling, the penalty kill, rebound control, and walkouts.

      In article 1A, we looked at puck handling for the beginner. In addition, we saw how the new standard of officiating is creating the demand on the goaltender to handle the puck more often. Now its time to start handling the puck more effectively.

     Here, this subsequent article looks at puck handling from the advanced perspective. The particulars will cover:
 
        1. Setting puck to the forehand
        2. Body positioning
        3. The indirect versus the direct
        4. Faking

     We saw in article 1A that, when setting the puck up behind the net we should pull the puck off the wall, allowing for better puck access for the defensemen. Now that we've mastered that, we need to start recognizing what hand each of our defensemen shoots. With that, we can set the puck to our defensemen's forehand. This makes life even easier for the
retreating defensemen.

     One of the biggest flaws of the puck handling goaltender is poor positioning. Primarily, with his back turned to the play. The goaltender will leave his crease to play the puck behind his net, while still having plenty of time, he move the puck with his back facing the play. As we saw in the last article, it is important to get behind the net quickly so we have time to move the puck. With that, as soon as we cross the goal line, the goalie becomes a third defensemen. If time warrants itself, it's imperative to turn facing the play. If you do not face the play our options are limited. Either rim the puck hard around the boards either side or set the puck up for the defense (see figure 1A). However, by facing the play there are many more options. You can rim the puck hard to either side, set the puck up, make an outlet pass to a winger or a curling center man, or even play an indirect (will be discussed later) (See figure 1B).

     Thus, if we can face the play as a goaltender it will open up options for us. But it will also open up options for your teammates. Defensemen can now become outlets instead of coming to get the puck. For instance, your defensemen can now flare out to the corner of the rink and provide you with a safety valve if you cannot make any other pass. In any event, don't limit your options by bad positioning. It is important to note, this option doesn't work all the time. There are instance during a game when you must make that quick decision back there and move the puck. However, if you do have the time, use it!

       Many goaltenders will stop the puck and rim it hard around the boards to either side. This play is common and effective. However, many goaltenders do not think of another alternative in this situation, that is, the indirect. In order to perform an indirect it is best to have a shot that can consistently hit the higher portion of the boards or the lower portion of the glass. So, what is the indirect? The indirect essentially entails the goaltender to shoot the puck at mid height of the boards approximately at the top of the circle (See figure 2A).

      In order to perform this it is imperative that the goaltender has a clear shot at the desired target. Now that the goaltender has seen a lane to the target, and shot the puck the ramification for the opposition can be illustrated. By choosing the indirect, the puck will bounce off the boards at an unfavorable angle (See figure 2B). Here a few things can occur. Firstly, the goaltender can gain more time to return to Figure 2A–The Indirect his net. Next, the puck can clear the zone completely

      Secondly, the defense could knock down the puck. However, an indirect will force the defensemen to follow the puck into their body to knock the puck down. While doing so, this buys the goaltenders team time to move up to the defense and retrieve the indirect. Simply put, the bounce off the boards can be difficult to read from the defensemen's standpoint, making it more difficult to retrieve.

       Faking is something the modern day goaltender rarely uses. I recall a few years back reading a Goalie's World article that had a Roberto Luongo interview. The article changed how I handled the puck forever. In the article, Roberto was reflecting on how a coach of his told him to fake more before he passed the puck. After reading this, and putting the fake into practice, it occurred to me how easy it was to fake out an opposition forward. Most players take for granted that goalies are not good puck handlers. With that, they will usually fall for the first move you make, creating new options for you or making your primary option more accessible. There are three major parts of the faking arsenal, they are: your head, your stick, and your feet.

      Your head can be the simplest tool for faking. For instance, simply looking in the opposite direction of your intended target can throw the opposition. It is important to note, though you may look away from your target to fake, it is important to regain visual confirmation of your target prior to you pass release.

       Your stick can be the best faking mechanism you own. By simply changing the angle of the stick blade, this can make your opponents think you are passing in one direction. So, in this instance, you would fake an incorrect angle then, by rotating the blade back to the appropriate angle, you can execute the desired puck release.

       A more advanced technique, known as the sweep, can be an amazing advantage if you can learn to execute it properly. For example, you could start with the puck on your forehand, sweep past the puck, regain control on your backhand and then shoot the puck using your backhand. Here you have faked the opposition into thinking a forehand shot is about to be released however you shoot the puck in the opposite direction using your backhand.

 Start the puck off on the forehand                 Sweep past the puck

      Bring the stick to backhand                       Release a backhand

The AG imperatives:

1. Set the puck up to your defensemen's forehand allowing for optimal playability.
2. When time warrants, face the play
3. When handling the puck. It opens up options for you and your teammates.
4. By using the indirect, the goaltender can gain an advantage in 3 ways:   
   

• Firstly, he can gain more time to retreat to his net.
• Secondly, the goaltender himself can clear the zone.
• Lastly, he can create a better opportunity for his teammates to get  the puck out.
• The bounce off the boards can be difficult to read from the defensemen's standpoint, making it more difficult to retrieve.
                                                                            (back to top)