Goalie Crease Network - The Foundation: Understanding the Basic Stance
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  • The Foundation: Understanding the Basic Stance

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    MindTheNet
    Published on 04-28-2011 02:28 AM      Number of Views: 1904  
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    Whenever Mind The Net Goaltending begins working with any kind of student, whether they are a beginner or an NCAA goaltender, we begin with going through and analyzing the goaltender’s basic stance. The basic stance is, essentially, the foundation for a goaltender’s game. This foundation must allow the goaltender to move in a fluid, comfortable, balanced manner while making sure to stay energized and to cover area in the scoring space. In order to accomplish all that is required of a basic stance the goaltender must present the following in their basic stance:

     - Start with the feet about 2-6” wider than hip width apart; enough that the goaltender is on the inside edges of the skate blades. By being too narrow a goaltender may struggle with quick execution of down ward save movements. If a stance is too wide the goaltender will not have enough thrust or be “locked” too tightly on the inside edges of the skates. A stance too wide or too narrow can hinder mobility.





    ***Goaltenders must avoid locking their knees together as this can cause hindrances with stance, as well.***
    ***Also, if a goalie has a tall thigh rise on the pads the goalie must ensure they do not stand too wide to avoid the tops of the pads to touch. If operating with a tall thigh rise the goaltender will have to get used to moving with the pads that overlap(see “Adjusting to Life with Extra Thighrise”)***

    - Make sure the knees are bent enough to allow for quick execution of all movements on feet, knees and during save movements. Goalies need to be low enough in stance to allow for readiness at all times. Goaltenders must be able to hold that basic stance through ALL movements without wavering.



    - Keep the upper body upright by bending at the hips not the middle to upper back.

     - There should be any imaginary line that runs from the toes, up through the knees and shoulders. The elbows, when the hands are moved forward enough, will also appear to intersect the toes-knees-shoulders line of a strong basic stance. This is the sign of a properly balance stance.



    - Present the glove and blocker in front of the body, on an equal plane forward of the body and the pads. While keeping the gloves forward of the body the gloves must be anywhere from knee to lower rib height to maintain coverage of the scoring space and to help keep the shoulders leveled and balanced. The hands must be clear of all obstructions to allow for proper stick involvement, anywhere a shot is on the ice, on as many shots as possible.

    ***Although there are many schools of thought as to the proper position of the trapper, be it a more traditional hand position or a “fingers up” glove position, the goaltender must go with what is comfortable as long as the trapper is forward of the body, facing the puck and occupying the scoring space according to the puck’s perspective.***
    - The position of the goalie stick must allow for as much of the blade to be in contact with the ice as possible. The stick must be held anywhere from 8”-16” away from the toes of the pads, giving the stick some cushion or angle depending on whether the goalie is attempting to retain the rebound or get the rebound elevated. The distance the stick is away from the toes depends on goalie stick length and the goalie’s approach to rebound control.

     - The blade of the stick MUST be square to the puck as much as possible. If the stick is square then the blocker is almost automatically squared up to the puck, as well.

     - Try to avoid double coverage. Double coverage involves using a trapper or blocker to cover space already covered by another part of equipment or body. It is alright to have a little bit of double coverage, by an inch or two, to allow the goaltender to keep compact.
    ***Always be aware of what the puck sees as a guide for setting how to position the hands and arms. Goaltenders that try to look big by spreading out the elbows and hands is actually opening up unnecessary holes between the arms and body.***

    It is important for the goaltender to realize that the basic stance must be a base for the goaltender to move from and be able to return to as quickly as possible. Strength through the legs, core and upper body, in that order, must be built so a goaltender can maintain readiness whenever the puck is about to cross the redline until the puck has gone back outside the goalie’s own blue line. In order for a stance to be effective it must be comfortable, energizing, easy to hold for long periods of time with minimal adjustments needed throughout the game and must be the level of leg flexion used throughout all movements on the feet. A goalie with a strong stance and the ability to keep that stance is the goaltender that is setting the foundation for physical success as a goaltender.
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