Absorption

Introduction

Glove placement during a goaltender’s ready stance as well as while dropping into a butterfly drop or slide is one of the key components to being able to absorb and trap the puck and avoid giving up a rebound.  Therefore, an efficient goaltender will be able to place their glove in a position that will benefit them during every potential scenario.  Many styles, and placements of a goaltender’s glove are currently being taught around the world, but are they all effective and efficient?  Although the glove may be one of the most obvious tools for a goaltender in absorbing the puck, there are many other aspects which will separate goaltenders from average to elite.  The following will explore and analyze the main aspects and variables which go into proper absorption of the puck, compare the methods of other teachings which are currently being taught, as well as explain and promote the teachings of Goalie Army Academy.

Positioning and Timing

A goaltender’s timing is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle in order for a goaltender to ensure that he/she is continuously square to the puck and in proper position.  By matching the speed of the puck within one’s crease, a goaltender will be able to maintain their core in a direct line of contact with any shot that comes their way.

Timing is also essential for situations where shots are directed to the outside of one’s body.  Being in proper position will allow goaltenders to react with as much time as possible, therefore making shots easier to handle, and give the appearance of looking effortless.

Angles

Although a goaltender may be in a direct line from the puck to the centre of their net, they may not be in proper position due to the angle of their shoulders.  Minimal movement of the shoulders during T-pushes and shuffles is imperative to the success of a goaltender.  Many goaltenders turn their shoulders to follow the direction of the path of the puck.  Instead, goaltenders should be placing their shoulders in a parallel line with direction of the puck during a pass.  Moving this way ensures that the goaltender is always ready for a shot by being able to react with ease, that they are covering as much of the net as possible, and that they are moving within their crease with explosiveness, and ease.

Currently, some other methods are also being taught.  One of which teaches students to retreat back to the middle of the net to ensure that the goaltender is centred first, then to push back out to cut off the angles from the shooter in a pass across-type scenario.  We have all been taught that the shortest distance from Point A to Point B is in a straight line and we believe that goaltending should be no different.  Goalie Army Academy feels that in order to match the speed of the puck and ensure efficiency with every movement, a goaltender must push hard with one skate, and stop hard with the other.  This allows the shoulders to remain square to the puck at all times which will help him/her in a quick release of a shot.  By retreating to the centre of the net, and then coasting out of the net shooters will be able to view more of the net and may be able to pick larger targets.  Also, this method may take longer to get into position which may cause the goaltender to still be moving when the shot is taken and will therefore make pucks harder to stop and absorb then if the goaltender were to be standing still and ready.

The Core

By getting their core between the net and the puck, a goaltender is able to ensure that they are placing the biggest part of them in front of the shot to increase their chances of stopping and absorbing the puck.  The best way to be successful at this stems from skating ability, balance, and posture.  Keeping the body between the puck and the net will allow the goaltender to absorb shots and limit rebounds.  Once again, with this method, the placement of a goaltender’s glove is key.

As we develop our army of efficient goaltenders, the placement of the glove and blocker is imperative to the success of our goaltenders.  During standing, butterfly dropping, and butterfly blocking movements, we place emphasis on the keeping the glove and blocker tight to the body so that holes are minimal for the possibility of a puck to slip through and into the net.  This style has been criticized by some as looking robotic however it has been proven to be the most efficient method at the most elite levels if performed properly.

Blocking – Glove Placement

Some coaches are teaching incorrect placement of the gloves of their students by advising them to extend their arms in front of them and hold their glove so that the fingers are pointed upward or almost in a palm-down position.  As a result, goaltenders will not be able to react as quickly to lower shots and will see a lot more pucks bounce out of their glove and therefore causing the possibility for more rebounds.  We feel that a goaltender can make better use of his glove by covering net space that isn’t already covered.  By extending the arm in front of one’s body, a goaltender is merely covering space that has already been covered by the arm and shoulder, meanwhile leaving a gap underneath the elbow.

Instead we recommend holding one’s arm and elbow close to the body for a more compact stance while turning the forearm outward to cover more of the net.  This allows the goaltender to remove some of the thinking of how to react, out of the game.  They will allow themselves more time to process less options of how to react, cover more of the net, and allow themselves to have their glove ready for every potential shot, deflection, or play