When training a goalie, remember that they have different needs from the rest of the team. The drills that you develop for your goalie must focus on the skills that he will utilize during a game. These drills, however, should go beyond stopping the puck, since goalies must skate and pass the puck well to become more valuable players.
Positioning
Begin by breaking the goalie's crease down into five numbered points. Have your goalie go through each of these five points in order, since this gives him a feel for the angles he needs to take when he faces a shooter. Call out the numbers randomly and have your goalie slide to the corresponding part of the crease. This helps your goalie's fundamental positioning and helps her learn where she should stand when a shooter comes toward her in a game situation.
Zigzag
Set up cones about 4 feet apart outside of the crease. Have your goalie skate forward and then backward between the cones. You want your goalie to use the T-push, shuffle or power slide when skating between the cones. This means that the goalie will not skate in a traditional manner, but will use fundamental goaltending techniques throughout the drill.
Lateral Movement
Many goalies neglect to improve their skating, but skating remains a very important skill. Hockey features a great deal of east-to-west action, and a goalie must keep up with both the puck and opposing players. Lateral movement begins by having the proper base, so have your goalie practice lining up with her legs a little wider than shoulder-width apart. Have your goalie then practice sliding from side to side, while keeping her stick between her legs to cover the five-hole. This lateral movement helps your goalie stay in position on cross-crease passes and follow skaters who make moves in front of the net.
Passing
In today's game, your goalie must have the ability to move the puck forward to a teammate quickly and accurately. Have your goalie practice passing the puck between pylons at various positions on the ice. Start with a simple pass, but also have your goalie make a save and then make a pass or skate forward toward the puck and make a pass. As your goalie advances, have him make a pass to a moving player and then return to his net as quickly as possible.
References
- Hockey Canada: Goaltending
- "Hockey Goaltending"; Brian Daccord; 2008
- "The Hockey Goalie's Complete Guide: An Indispensable Development Plan"; François Allaire; 2009
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