Goalie Training Tips: Glove-Side Post Position

Coaches frequently use the term, “A smart hockey player” to describe hockey prospects.  Goaltenders, on the other hand, which are comfortable with applying efficiency learned from their goalie training sessions to their game, implement varying weight distributions and adjustments to their stance.  This enables them to minimize opposing threats, and allows them to be labelled as “A Smart Goalie”.  In order to be labelled as a smart goalie however, let’s start at the post.

The glove-side post position is one of the simplest positions for goalies to master during our goalie training sessions.  Implementing this proper (and necessary) technique to their games will allow students to cut off passes through their crease without having to adjust their balance too much.  But applying this technique will take plenty of repetition practice in order to become comfortable with the necessary movements so that goalies may maximize its benefits.

Although the post position may take goaltenders out of their comfort zones due to the need for shoulder-checks and applying more weight on one leg than the other, the benefits of applying the following techniques will enable our students to contribute to their teams more, therefore minimizing scoring opportunities.

Stick Out

When the puck is situated below the goal line, whether it’s being carried or passed, the goalie should look to ensure that the blade of their stick is able to cut off any passes through their crease.  In order to cut off the pass effectively, the goaltender should look to apply a “Challenge the Pass” mentality to ensure that they’re able to effectively neutralize any scoring chances from the opposition.

Elbow Out

Although there are a handful of goalie training providers which teach their students to cut off the passes through their crease with their stick, many fail to incorporate the glove.  Instead, they teach their students to keep their arm inside the post in order to seal up any potential holes that are caused from the knee being bent.  This allows the goaltender to avoid a bank shot off of the bend of their knee and into the net.

Goalie Army Academy teaches our students to maximize efficiency through our R3E System, and the glove-side post is a great example of how we are able to ensure that the back of the knee is protected against the bank shot, while allowing our students to cut off a saucer pass through their crease when the shooter attempts to avoid having the puck come into contact with the blade of the goalie’s stick.

Hugging the Post

Once the elbow is outside of the post, we teach our students that with the puck in close proximity, it is essential that they hold the post with their elbow as the puck crosses the goal line.  This enables them to drop into a Vertical Horizontal position without coming off of the post, allowing them to cover the short side effectively while helping them to push off of the post with power if the puck carrier attempts to gain a wider angle on them.

All of our goalie training allows our students to apply our R3E System to become smart goalies and as efficient as possible in their role on their team.  Applying the techniques above are only part of what Goalie Army Academy can offer our students.  Goalies do whatever it takes to stop the puck, but if they’re not doing all that they can to stop scoring chances, it is evident that they have gaps in their game.  Learn how we can help you to become a better goalie.

Liked this article?  Check out how to implement proper technical structure at the Blocker-Side Post Position.