Coaches Corner
The Goalkeeper

If you don’t agree that this is the most important position on the ice, try going into a playoff series with a weak tender! Without a solid goalie, it’s very difficult to have a winning team or to play well in the defensive zone. This is the most difficult position mentally because when a goalie makes a mistake, there is no backup. When forwards make an error, a defenseman is usually there to right the ship. When a defenseman makes a mistake, the goalie is there to help avoid disaster. Unfortunately, no one is there for the goalie! If a mistake is made at this position, the red light goes on. Being aware of the added pressure a goalie faces and having strategies to deal with your goalie can help immensely in the development of a successful team.

I highly recommend having someone on your coaching staff who has experience as a goalie. This individual will be able to work with goalies on techniques and tactics and will be there to counsel them on the mental aspects of playing this position. Having a former goalie on your staff is a great benefit, as they know what it feels like when certain circumstances arise. Getting advice from someone who has actually played the position will instill credibility in the minds of your goalies. Remember that goaltending is a high-pressure position, and if the goalie is not relaxed, it’s difficult to play well.

This does not excuse the head coach from responsibility for knowing about the position, its physical and mental demands, or what to look for in a goalie’s play. However, it makes sense to get an expert to deal with this position, because it is not at all like the skating positions of center, wing, or defenseman.

We will briefly look at the goalie from a tactical perspective and discuss the tactical skills that are needed to be effective. Our discussion and the drill suggestions related to goaltending provide a solid foundation for what to look for from a goalie without being too technical regarding the specific skills of the position. Numerous books are available on the subject of goaltending that will provide you with the depth of information needed to work effectively with players at this position. Look for several recommended texts on goalkeeping in the resources section of this book.

The goalie has to be able to make the first save while making sure to put rebounds in safe places to avoid second-shot opportunities. Goalies must be able to read plays and anticipate what the opponent may do. In addition, they must be able to communicate verbally with teammates, assisting them when they are under pressure. Finally, goaltenders must be able to set up the puck cleanly for the defensemen, pass it quickly with velocity, and move it out of the zone when the situation dictates.

There are two main tenets in stopping the puck. The first and most important is the ability to see the puck. This sounds simplistic, but many young goalies lose focus on the puck. Losing focus is usually the result of an awareness of the presence of attackers other than the puck carrier, as well as an awareness of the puck carrier’s play options. It is important to be aware of all possible options but not at the expense of obtaining the best possible angle for the first play option, which is a shot. If the puck carrier chooses a different play option, the goalie’s awareness will allow him to quickly move to the new angle and position in front of the net. Your goalie must learn to see the puck, playing one potential shot at a time. This is the only way to play this position well.

The other main tenet of goaltending is positioning itself. A goalie must know how to find the best possible position for each shot (angle play). It is important to obtain the best angle possible without coming out too far. As a goalie comes out to challenge a shooter, the shooter is left with less net to shoot at. This greatly improves the prospect of making the first save but inhibits the goalie’s ability to move to a new angle if the puck is passed or to reposition quickly for a second shot if control of the rebound is lost.

To read more about Coaching Hockey Successfully by Dennis “Red” Gendron, please visit www.HumanKinetics.com