Before playing in your first game, learn the basics of inline hockey goaltending. These basics help you to make saves, control rebounds and follow the puck throughout the play. Make yourself aware of the differences between ice hockey and inline hockey goaltending, because the differences of the inline playing surface can cause difficulties for goalies.
Stay Square
Square yourself to the shooter as he approaches. This allows you to cover most of the net without having to move very much. Move your entire body as a productive unit, rather than moving your legs so that your body follows, because this prevents gaps from opening up as you move. Today's shooters know to shoot when you least expect it, so staying prepared for the shot as you make small movements to square yourself remains very important.
Watch
You must know the location of the puck or ball at all times because this gives you a better chance of making the save. On a shot, watch the puck hit your body and then follow the puck wherever it goes afterward. If the puck goes into the corner, follow it with your eyes because it could end up back in front of the net very quickly. Do not let your guard down until you hear the whistle. Tracking the puck becomes difficult with bodies in front of you, but all goalies must deal with this traffic.
Stick Save
Most goaltenders learn the stick save before anything else because stopping the puck with your stick gives you more control over the puck. You use the stick to cover your five-hole --- the gap directly below you --- and to direct pucks away from the net. Because your stick moves when you make a blocker save, you must quickly return your stick to the area between your legs after making a blocker save. Avoid pressing the stick against your pads during a stick save because this could lead to unpredictable rebounds.
Sliding
When moving from side to side, maintain awareness of the role that friction plays on the surface. You cannot slide the way that you do on ice skates, so point your lead foot in the direction that you wish to go. If you fail to do so, you could end up falling, providing the opposing team with an easy goal. The same can occur when you come out of your net to challenge a shooter because friction on the playing surface can make it difficult to get back to your net.
References
- "Winning Roller Hockey"; Dave Easter, et al.; 1997
- "Hockey Goaltending"; Brian Daccord; 2008
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