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In previous articles, we have analyzed with text
and photos, six of the most common errors made by goaltenders. This time,
we will look at three additional faults.
Shoulder Rolls
More sloppy stick work. In an attempt to try to deflect pucks to the stick
corner, or simply because of a lack of stick discipline, the goaltender
often �rolls his shoulder�, opening up the 5-hole and areas under the
pad (Photo 1). This roll is often premature, resulting in goals or bad
rebounds with a very slow, inefficient recovery.
No Push or No Rotation
Goaltenders need to push and bring their entire body across on a pass
play or deke � especially in a �back-door play.� In addition, the goaltender
must �rotate� by a 1/4 turn and go back on a diagonal toward the post.
This helps them become square to the puck. We call this the �Y theory,�
where the motion is backward (the stem of the Y) and then diagonal from
the top of the crease toward the goal post.
Too often, the goaltender either does not push or
fails to rotate as shown in Photo 2. When this happens, the entire net
is open to the shooter. Now look at Photo 3. Here the goaltender gets
a good push, makes a 1/4-turn rotation, and brings his back leg (left)
under his body to close the 5-hole, thereby increasing his range without
reaching.
Planting the Back Foot
There is no worse position for a goaltender than on his butt. Goalies
end up on their butt because of poor balance and because they �plant their
back foot.� While hard to capture with still photography, look at Photo
4. The goalie has planted his left foot and has begun moving to his right.
At some point, his balance becomes so poor that he falls backward onto
his butt (Photo 5). On his way down the goalie is wide open and extremely
vulnerable to scoring opportunities. We see this often on breakaways,
back door plays, quick passes, etc. Pucks often go in around or under
(through) the goalie while on the way down.
Rather than planting, the goalie should simply use
his left foot to push, then, like the goalie in Photo 3, bring that left
foot back under the body. This will eliminate the balance problem.
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