Couldn't resist contributing my 2-cents-worth on this topic. So far I have
to agree with almost everything that people have posted, and would add a
couple of points besides:
Especially in youth hockey, the goalie is often given extremely short shrift.
Odd, when you consider the relative value of the keeper to the team and its
success; however, in order to give them the attention they're due, it takes
some extra hands on the ice. Under no circumstances should the goalie(s) be
spared from the "skating" drills -- good goalies are often among the best
skaters on a team. And, they should do the drills in full equipment, since
that's the way they'll be playing. Goalie-specific drills, like toe kicks,
splits, knee-drops, etc., can be done anywhere on the ice (or even off it)
while the rest of the team does break-outs, break-ins, power play sets, or
whatever, none of which require a goalie's presence in the net. In fact
(parenthetical aside here) you will do better developing shooting accuracy
using a "shooter tutor" than a live goalie. Some very good drills and
exercises can be found in the AHAUS coaching manuals (is it still AHAUS?
seems to me they've got a new acronym which eludes me at the moment, and
I've dated myself once again), and I highly recommend the book written by Joe
Bertagna (former Harvard keeper, goalie-coach to the pros, and present ECAC
commissioner) on the care and feeding of goalies of all ages and abilities.
Lastly, in re: pre-game warmups: insist that your players give the goalies
SHOTS THEY CAN STOP in the course of pre-game warmups. This will limber up
the shooters and loosen up the keeper, and at the same time make it look to
the opposition like YOUR goalies are damn near unbeatable. A little
psychological edge never hurt anybody.
Dave Erickson
The Intercollegiate Hockey Newsletter
"Be kind to animals: hug a hockey player." Not original, but a propos.
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