This beginner goaltending practice plan is designed to teach the core fundamentals of ice hockey goaltending, focusing on stance, movement, and save techniques. Through a series of five simple drills, goalies will learn the proper ready position, how to execute butterfly saves, lateral movement with the T-push, glove and blocker saves, and the crucial skill of controlling rebounds. Each drill builds essential skills needed for effective goaltending, helping new goalies develop confidence and improve their ability to protect the net.
Drill Title | Drill Video Link | Drill Video Text |
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Stance and Ready Position | Focus on getting into the proper stance—knees bent, glove up, stick positioned to cover the five-hole. This drill emphasizes balance and quick transitions from standing to butterfly. | |
Butterfly Saves | Start in the ready position, then drop into the butterfly when the coach or another player shoots the puck low. Ensure the pads are flat on the ice and the glove is in position to cover high shots. | |
T-Push Movement Drill | Description: This drill teaches the goaltender to move laterally across the crease efficiently. From the ready position, push off with one leg to glide across the goal in a "T" formation. Focus on quick, smooth movements. | |
Glove and Blocker Saves | Practice catching with the glove and deflecting with the blocker. Players shoot high on each side of the goaltender, and they respond by controlling the puck with either their glove or blocker. | |
Basic Rebound Control | This drill focuses on controlling rebounds. Have shooters fire shots low at the pads, and the goaltender must direct the puck away from the net (into the corners) or cover it. Emphasize controlling where the puck goes after a save. |