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Just how important is awareness to a top end goaltender?

Let's just take a look at a situation that potentially happens at least once per game: the play is down low, puck carrier on goalie's right, potential back door threat on the left. As that play had developed coming in over the blue line, the goalie noted a player moving down low (back door) on the opposite side. Although not in his sight line, the goalie was "aware" of the potential threat.

So, when the puck carrier made the pass, the goalie attempts to intercept it with a stick poke check. Unsuccessful with the poke check, the goalie sprawls backward into a "long body" position and is able to make the save. Without the goalie's "awareness" of the full situation, the red light would have flashed instead of the whistle being blown.

So how do we develop this "awareness"? Well it does come with experience, but the harder you work to acquire it, the better you will become. Here are some tips:

1. - look "off" the puck often whenever the opposition is not in a shooting position especially when the puck is below the goal line
2. - even as you follow the path of the puck, attempt to note where everyone on the ice is positioned or their direction of movement
3. - attempt to understand your opponents options based on their positioning
4. - although puck focus is a priority, don't just lock in on the puck
5. - don't be one dimensional; develop awareness habits and simplify your game.

For the most part, a goalie moving up a level as a first year is very difficult, even with a good team in front of you. It is unfortunate but many times a goaltender is “thrown into the fire” so to speak and not given the opportunity to develop his/her skills at a more normal pace. If that is your or your son’s/daughters situation, expect lots of peaks & valleys.

Many times in these situations, goaltenders tend to receive an inordinate number of shots. Shot numbers are less relevant if they are just single shots, but for the most part a good number are probably second or third shots. And, this is where problem lies. Most every time there is a large discrepancy in shots or territorial edge it forces the goaltender to play in a scramble or overactive mode, and technical skills are apt to deteriorate as the goaltender scrambles & dives in an attempt to simply “stop the puck”. (I have also seen situations where the goaltender was simply overwhelmed & unable to keep pace with what is happening around her/him because of a huge discrepancy in skill levels of the teams)

So, despite the adage that lots of shots are a good thing that is only true if it one is not constantly overwhelmed. Probably the one thing lots of shots will develop is one’s battle level. But, only if one has the physical strength & mental toughness to keep up with the pace.

It is difficult to find the positive in this situation. However, if the goaltender, can remain positive and concentrates on improving & developing his/her skills & not the score there should be little or no harm done. Of course, for that to happen, support from coaches & team mates are vital.

First understand that shot reading is really an advanced goaltending skill and probably not something to be attempted until shot stopping becomes an automatic. Although mastery of the skill is generally achieved over time and with experience, one can speed up the process if one makes the effort to understand some of the mechanics of shooting.

Of course, we cannot deal with the slap shot because there really isn't a whole lot of predictability of the shot trajectory based on wind up & body position as the whole process happens so quickly. The same can probably be said of the "snap-shot" except for that distance of the puck from the shooter's body & his/her foot position can give some indication whether the puck will be released to the glove or blocker side.

That being said, let's now review some indicators you can look for to help you read the trajectory of a wrist shot: (these are all based on a left handed shooter & a left hand catching goaltender)

high blocker side = open hips / back shoulder dips
low blocker side = open hips / front shoulder dips

high glove side = closed hips / back shoulder dips
low glove side = closed hips / front shoulder dips.

Don't forget that stick follow through & a shooter's chin position (up or down) can also determine a high or low shot.

As a side note, any time the shooter (left handed) shoots to the glove side (vice-versa for the right hander going to the blocker side) they need to bring their hands across their body so even though their hips are closed their shoulders will open.

Remember, these are just generalities and the really smart shooter will have learned how to disguise his/her shooting movements in an attempt to swing the odds back into his favor. As a last reminder, use every opportunity, including your practices, to improve your shot reading skills and remember, every good read starts with puck focus.

There are many "tidbits" & "tips" that get passed on to goaltenders prior to or during tryouts - from parents to coaches to well meaning friends.

Most revolve around the technical elements or aspects of the goaltender's game. For example, "you need to make sure your hands are active or you need to make sure you get out & stop wide rims, etc". Hopefully, these are just reminders of things you are already doing well.

Because, with all the stress that accompanies tryouts for the majority of goaltenders, an attempt to modify or change an element of one's game, at that point will only lead to confusion, undesirable actions & negative results.

I suggest that at tryout time one needs to concentrate on these 3 things above everything else:

1. - to remain completely focused always on the task at hand (making the cut). That is the priority. Everything else is just a distraction.
2. - to maintain a calm, controlled body & a calm mind (never panic or concern yourself with what others do or what you believe others think - you are probably wrong)
3. - don't try to be something you are not (at this point, your game is what it is; if it is good enough, it will get you where you want to be, if not, it won't - preparation time started long before tryout)

No question, positioning is, like skating competence, the foundation of great goaltending. As correct positioning is attained, then the usual formula follows that the next decision the goaltender has to deal with is the pending shot or pass. At this point, though we need to add another important element to the goaltending equation. WHEN do we do what we need to do what is necessary? That is what this third element known as "TIMING" is all about.

We'll now attempt to give you a brief explanation of instances, in goaltending, where it's importance is critical. First, timing is involved in gaining an optimum position or in repositioning. Whether doing so from stance or a lateral slide arriving "on time" is imperative. To gain position and have ample opportunity for good shot preparation or to slide into the path of a shot off a back door play requires a keen understanding and sense of this element.

Secondly, timing (patience) is involved in making the right move at the right time as in the instance of holding a stance position and not dropping into a butterfly until the puck carrier releases the shot so as to automatically reduce the options available to him. And lastly, there is a degree of timing involved when the goaltender adjusts his reaction to the play as it evolves in front of him.

Understand the important contribution timing can make to your success as a goaltender, and set a goal to develop it, through practice, along with all the other skills in your "toolbox"

Many times I am asked "what do I need to do to be that goaltender who gets the nod over his or her partner when an important win is on the line".

My first comment is "prepare", and prepare well. You'll need to become a "student of the game". A student who thoroughly understands all of the little nuances of the position & the game itself. For example how potential scoring threats materialize as certain plays develop in your end or the likelihood of where, in your zone, a shot will be released.

Next, show you are ready day in & day out through your mental toughness and response to pressure situations. Show you readiness by never giving up and developing an air of confidence that says I am ready for any situation the game can throw at me.

And last, be patient. It will take time to instill the thought of you as the "go to guy" in the minds of your coaches. But, if you go through the process, the likelihood that you will become the "go to guy" increases every day so when you do get your shot you will be successful

I hope your tryouts have gone well and that the last 2 postings were beneficial to you as you competed for a spot on the team.

Sometimes, though, when I talk to goaltenders, I wonder if they really understand who exactly the competition is. In a tryout scenario, obviously it is the other goaltenders vying for the open spots. Then as league play begins, the opposition becomes the competition.

But not to forget, if neither you nor your partner are the defined "starter", then, potentially your competition is your playing partner. And even if one of you gets the starter job more regularly, there is still an element of competitiveness. Hopefully it is healthy competition, but nonetheless, it is competition.

As you move up in development levels the competition arena becomes broader and now you compete with other goaltenders in your league for all-star, best save percentage etc. honors.

Graduation from Minor Hockey to the Junior or Prep School levels now means your competition could come from just about anywhere; the next town, the next province or state or for that matter another country. With hockey now a global sport and the willingness of participants to move away from their home towns in the hope of improving their hockey future, we need step back and consider a macro view of our competition.

At the end of the day, it is almost impossible to identify your true competition so you better be practicing & refining your skill set with hard work, motivation & enthusiasm because, when you both step on the ice together, will you be ready?

For many of us pre-game & tryout nervousness is something we experience regularly, Just what can we do to take this stressful time, turn it around & make it a more enjoyable experience? Well, here is one thing we can work on to minimize & reduce nervousness or getting "rattled" and that is controlled breathing.

So just how can we control our breathing? Well, it is simple really and the more your practice, the better you will become at relaxing. You can do this at most any time, when you are in the dressing room before the ice session, sitting on the bench or even on the ice waiting your turn in the net. And here is how: sit or stand up straight and breath in deeply (use a slow count of 10) through your nose and down into your stomach (not your chest). Now breath out slowly through your mouth (again use a count of 10) until you empty all the air out.

Repeat this several times until you feel your body relax (it really works) Do this as often as you like and whenever you feel necessary. Try to think only about what you are doing (breathing). The neat thing about this is that no one will ever know what you are doing.

Another thing you need to be aware of is to maintain your focus at those critical ice times throughout the days & weeks of the whole tryout process or games. Concentrate hard, and don't get distracted by what is going on around you.

And, last, don't be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes happen and you can't change what has already happened