Coaching objectives for better goaltending

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Coaching objectives for better goaltending
By Mitch Korn
Nov 2, 2002, 16:51

Goalies should develop patience to stay on their feet for as long as possible. Photo: BBS.

Some time ago, I attempted to develop 10 �objectives� which would encompass the entire process of coaching the goaltenders for whom I was responsible. While these objectives are somewhat general and abstract, I have tried to provide some insights and specifics to help those reading understand what each objective really means.

Here I explain the first five; the remain five will be posted soon.

Objective No. 1
Help the goaltenders become as efficient as possible regarding all physical skills and movements. Develop drills to emphasize and isolate those skills. Ensure goaltenders are equally strong to their right as to their left (and vice versa).

I am a physical efficiency fanatic. Physical efficiency refers to how the arms and legs work together, how the goalie closes holes, the elimination of sloppy sticks, and eliminating planted back legs. It involves how compact the goalie moves, and how �under control� he is when he moves makes saves or recovers. The goalie needs to be equally as strong to the left as he is to the right. Most great saves are made within 10 feet of the net and they require the goalie to move while saving.

Objective No. 2
Help the goaltenders be prepared �mentally� with confidence, focus, and with their decision-making abilities.

Regardless of physical skills, no goaltender can be an all-star without solid mental skills. We hear about �confidence� all the time. Yes, that�s critical. Goalie coaches have to be psychologists, too! Without confidence, any athlete will struggle. Focus refers to �seeing the puck,� �seeing the ice,� and the overall levels of concentration and intensity. The decision making is what we see ... What save selection was used? ... Should the goalie have covered up the puck? ... How far should the goalie have come out?, etc. The use of shot charts and video tape help �coach� their ability to read and react.

Objective No. 3
Help each goaltender understand his �range� as well as �why� he or she does certain things.

The goalie�s range is his or her �reach.� That includes how far a stick can poke check, how far one can extend to break up an entering pass, how far a pad can reach in a half butterfly, what pucks a goalie can reach standing vs. leaving his feet, etc, etc. In addition, I want the goalies to know and understand why they do things in certain situations. The more the goaltender understands himself, the more consistent, efficient, and effective he will be.

Objective No. 4
Help the goaltenders be as versatile and agile when moving forward, backward and laterally as when in a stationary position. Be able to execute save selections not only stationary, but while moving forward, backward and laterally.

On paper, goaltending should be simple: move, get set, make a save selection. But in reality, that rarely happens. The game is way too fast.

Goalies must be able to make save selections, get their �pads down� into half or full butterflies or 2-pad slides, while moving under control and efficiently.

The goalies that can do this forward, backward and laterally equally as well to the left and right will excel. I call this being �fast and flexible.� These skills are very tough.

Objective No. 5
Help the goaltenders develop the patience to remain on their feet as long as possible.

For years goalies have been reminded by every coach to �stand-up, stand-up!� In today�s game, it is not if you leave your feet, but when and how. The how we have already discussed (save selections, physical efficiency, etc.).

The when is the timing. If goaltenders leave their feet too early, pucks go over them or around them and into the net. If goaltenders drop too late, pucks often go under them and into the net.

The longer a goaltender can stay on his or her feet, the more likely has to move to be in the best position to fill net, make transition, and thus make saves.