For most of you, the 2017 – 18 hockey season will wind down over the next couple of weeks. Whatever else you do, make sure you take a little time to stop competing and relax. If you are a younger goaltender, you may choose to play “spring hockey” before shutting down while others will gravitate to another sport immediately after season. However, whatever you chose to do make sure you play an alternative sport(s) during the off season. Try to pick a sport that will help you develop your overall athletic skills which, will, in turn help you to become a better goaltender. (tennis, volleyball, soccer are among the better)
But, if you play at a competitive or developmental level, you may also want to devote time this next month to plan your strategy for improvement throughout the summer with your parents or a trusted coach. At this moment next season’s tryouts might be the furthest from your mind, but, trust me, they will be here before you know it. So, prepare early and prepare well.
Here are our thoughts about the seasons of hockey:
In-season – regular season & playoffs
Post-season – recuperation/relaxation time (minimum of 1 month)
Off-season – between post & pre-season
Pre-season - training camps, tryouts etc.
Our view, however, is that the off-season really should be renamed "The Most Important Season" Why? Because it can't be time "off", in the literal sense, if you play at a developmental/competitive in Minor Hockey or Junior or above.
Here you have an opportunity to retool, refine and develop your physical tools, mental skills and, at the same time, make corrections to your on-ice game with goaltender specific training at a camp or clinics.
Most definitely, you need to keep your skates on the ice a minimum number of times during "The Most Important Season". But, don't associate playing "pick up hockey" with improving your game. I can say the same for programs which are not goaltender specific. Both might develop your compete level (or not) but do little to nothing to develop your technical skills. And, for the most part both these expose you to many situations you will never find in a team game. Pick up hockey is strictly for FUN and a bit of socializing.
If you are serious about your development, we strongly recommend you take part in an on ice weekly structured development program during June & July. Add a week long professional training camp and you have your goaltending on ice specific training covered off during those 2 months. That leaves you time prior to and after this training period to do other things (and maybe even play some pick-up hockey).
Approximately 2 months should be quite adequate for you to refine, develop new skills or make changes to your technical game