The goalies stick is one of the most important pieces of equipment they use. Outside of (arguably) the blocker, there is only one other piece of equipment that is specifically designed to take shots that would otherwise be rebounds and send them into the netting behind the goalie. As a result, play is stopped and both teams regroup for a face-off.
The importance of learning how to develop an elite stick as a goalie cannot be understated. Goalies who know how to make better stick saves have more control over the game and they reduce the opportunities for rebounds, two things that will absolutely help you become a better goalie.
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Improving The Goalies Ability To Make Stick Saves
Making stick saves starts with having good vision of the puck. There are several key elements to making a proper stick save, one of the first is not pushing at the puck, but rather making a subtle movement with the stick so that the puck can safely deflect from the goalie stick.
One of the most common mistakes beginner goalies make is by pushing at pucks, which inevitably results in mis-handled stick saves creating further scoring opportunities for the other team.
So how do we train goalies to make better stick saves?
The most critical element to a proper stick save is proper stick positioning while in the butterfly. A common mistake by young goalies is with their stick placement in the butterfly position. When the goalies stick is to tight to their pads, the goalie will fight the puck off, which often results in a loose rebound in front of the goalie.
By learning how to properly position the hands while in the butterfly position, the goalie will create a natural “ramp” for the goalie stick. This allows rebounds to quickly and safely deflect from the stick into a low danger area such as the corner. Ideally, stick saves result in pucks that enter the netting and out of play, giving your team the ability to reset with a face-off.
As goalies begin to progress through higher levels of play, having control over stick save selection is key, as goalies will be able to make multiple versions of a stick save. They will begin to have control over whether or not they put pucks out of play, or simply re-direct them to the corner area of the rink.
In the photo above, Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord is making a glove save.
So how does that relate to making more stick saves?
One of the key elements of proper fundamentals in a goalie is by demonstrating them consistently, no matter which type of save you are making. In the photo here, even though Daccord is making a proper glove save, take a look at his stick position.
His stick is 6″ to 8″ in front of his butterfly. It’s covering the most dangerous scoring area in the butterfly, the 5 hole position. Not only is his goalie stick in the correct location, it’s at the proper angle, allowing him to effortlessly ensure that any puck shot in an area where he could make a stick save would be properly deflected into a low danger scoring area such as the corner or the netting behind the goal.
Prior to entering the butterfly, goalies must have proper stick position in front of their body.
Before the butterfly save happens, in order to make a stick save, the goalies stick should be in proper position in front of their body. This happens before they ever enter the butterfly position.
This is best demonstrated by another example, shown below. In this photo, we’re continuing to use Kraken goalie Joey Daccord.
Daccord is standing here, in proper position to make the next save. Looking at this photo, take a look at our blue arrow which shows the position of his stick. In this position, if Daccord opts to drop into the butterfly, his stick will remain in this same position. There is a slight tilt to the blade of his stick, so that any pucks shot at it will quickly and safely deflect rather than creating an unwanted rebound.
When training hockey goalies, care must be taken to teach proper stick position before ever entering the butterfly when making a stick save. The stick should be positioned in front of the goalies body so that it does not move while a goalie drops into the butterfly, so that the goalie can deflect a puck without ever thinking about how the stick should move.
If You Are Struggling With Stick Saves As A Goalie
If you’re struggling with stick saves, or perhaps you are training a goalie who is struggling with stick saves, take a look at your stance before you make a stick save. It is very probable that proper stick positioning is not being demonstrated.
I cannot count the number of young goalies that I have worked with who have had troubles making stick saves. The vast majority of them are able to solve their problems simply by learning to better position their stick when making a stick save. There is an art to properly deflecting pucks out of harms way with the goalies stick and much of it is built from a foundation of proper technique.
The goalies stick should always be out in front of the goalies body, not fighting against the puck. If pucks hit the goalies stick and stop, or bounce into the goalies pads, it is likely that the stick should be placed further in front of the goalies pads. Keeping the stick in proper position covering the five hole area, simply move the stick further out on front of the body.
Goalies should take care to never overly reach for pucks when making a stick save, as if they are on their proper angle, there shouldn’t be a risk of missing anything that would end up in the net behind them.
Learning to make proper stick saves as a goalie is just one of the many critical elements of becoming an elite goalie. Consider joining us for a goalie camp this summer, or extending your learning inside the goalie training app.
Put a goalie coach in your pocket with the Goalie Coaches training app, built specifically for hockey goalies. The Goalie Coaches app has been used at every level of play, up to the NHL. Unlock hundreds of drills, game specific scenarios, and more inside the free app, today.
