Resources for Goalie Coaches

5 Simple Actions for Designated Goalie Coaches to Exercise as Advocates for their Goalies

Put the pegs in the net all the time
Modify drills to ensure goalies are included; simple tweaks to drills can make a huge difference
Use a marker on the ice: draw creases, label points 1,2,3,4,5 to assist with angles
Regularly (every practice) work on goalie skating (t-pushes, shuffles, butterfly slides, etc); frequently can be done at the start of practice when everyone else is doing skating drills
Attend Storm goalie clinics with your goalie; leverage and learn from David Cole and his team.

Simple Daily Drill

Highly recommend this simple drill
Post to post movement is critical for goalies, especially those new to the position
Have great post locks not only secure them for attacks from behind the need, more importantly, provides for an excellent lauching point for their next move
Do this almost daily...can be as little as 5 minutes

Goaltending Depth

It is critical that goaltenders understand and master the concept of depth control. Especially at a young age (and size), controlling depth and angles will result in more saves and build confidence.

Defensive Depth:

When the puck is in this area the goaltender is either on the post or is tracking the puck behind the net.

Conservative Depth:

When the puck is in this area the goaltender is aware of a potential lateral play or is recovering to be set on a rebound.

Base Depth:

When the puck is in this area the goaltender will have his or her skate blades on the top of the crease (red outline of the crease). This is the depth is where goaltenders should be prior to most shot attempts against them.

Aggressive Depth:

When the puck is in this area the goalie reaches the aggressive depth to address the play as the puck enters the defensive zone.

Angle References in Zone

Just as critical as depth control, angles play an important role in goaltending.

This chart to the right illustrates the 5 on-ice reference points for goalies to drill into their routines and with repetition become natural control points on angle control.

Coaches - utilize a marker on the ice to label these points for your goalies (1,2,3,4,5) during practice. Also, leverage those marks when practicing crease movement (see drill library below).

Desginated Goalie Coach Resources

Various info, topics and letters (including from years past).