The object for ice hockey goalies is to block or stop the puck any way they can, and that task seems simple to outside observers. However, opposing offensive players have ways to distract and bother the goalie to make following and catching or blocking the puck quite difficult.
Focus on the Puck
According to National Hockey League professional star goalie Martin Brodeur, the key to success is to watch the puck not the shooter. By keeping your eyes on the puck, you can follow it from the point of the shot and block it or watch it go into your glove. Brodeur notes that players try to use tactics to throw goalies off such as changing skating speeds, moving the puck around or changing hitting speeds. If you watch the puck, those distracting tactics are not as effective because you simply track the puck and focus on what you need to stop.
Stand Tall
According to Triboro Youth Hockey, you should stay on your feet as long as you can and go down to your knees only if you have to. It is much easier for you to move from a standing position and get down to block shots than it is to get up from your knees to block high shots. Triboro Youth Hockey says if you go down early, a shooter will simply shoot high or go around you, but by holding your standing position you limit the shooter's options and room.
Square Up and Cut Angles
Positioning is the key to good goaltending, according to Triboro Youth Hockey, and goalies should aim to square up to the puck as it leaves the shooter's stick or be at a 90-degree angle toward it. You must move to square up to shooters so that your body is blocking the goal at the proper angle. Also, by moving out of the net beyond the goal crease, a goalie can cut down angles and make the goal seem smaller to the shooter.
Blocking
The idea for a goalie is to stop the puck, but some stops are certainly better than others. Triboro Youth Hockey notes that you want to catch every puck shot at you in your glove if possible no matter what side the puck is on. By catching the puck, you prevent the puck from sliding by or rebounding back for another shot. Triboro Youth Hockey says that if you cannot catch the puck you want to fall on it, or hit it into the corner to prevent the opposition from getting another direct shot.
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