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How many of you are aware of all the little
things that affect your ability to control what goes on around your
crease and actually live those things on a regular basis? I’ll bet
most of you barely scratch the surface of your crease controlling
potential because you don’t see the value in the “little things”
that determine how good you will be. Controlling your crease
involves a lot more than simply hanging out and waiting for a puck
to be shot at you. Think of yourself as a pie. If you sliced off 75%
of that pie and threw it away, you wouldn’t have much left to offer.
Well, when you ignore 75% of goaltending methods like angles,
intensity, stickwork and hockey sense, you are trying to succeed
with only 25% of your potential.
Here are some of the
little things that allow you to dominate your crease:
1) You Combine
Hockey Sense With Good Footwork.
You can read the other team’s scoring options
as they approach you and move your feet to beat them to the scoring
angle so you are already set when they release the puck. Many of you
get caught puck watching and are late moving to position.
2) You Never
Give Up!
Unless the puck has gone in and the red light is on, you should
never give up on the play. Second effort and the intensity to do
whatever you can to keep the puck out is something YOU have complete
control over. I see way too many goalies with potential who play
like they couldn’t care less whether they get scored on or not.
Don’t be passive!
3) Your Stick
Is Not A Crutch
I don’t see too many goalies who really “get
it” when it comes to using the stick. Do you take the time to
practice clean sets and exchanges with your D so you don’t cough up
the puck to the opposing forecheckers? Do you prevent passes to the
slot? Can you pokecheck players who are crashing your crease? Can
you make efficient passes to start your team’s breakout? All these
skills can make you a more dominant goalie and are worth the time to
develop.
4) Body
Language
Do
you look confident to the opposing team(and your own team for that
matter)? I’ve often said that goalies that look like a snake(coiled,
poised and ready to strike) subconsciously make the shooters rush
their shots and force them into mistakes. If you don’t look
confident and move cautiously and without a sense of urgency, the
other team will believe that they can take advantage of you. It’s
psychological but the other team’s perception of you is their
reality.
This article was contributed by
Fred Quistgard
of Quistgard Goalie Training.
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