Written By: Corey Hirsch; National Team Goaltending Consultant

*Complete articles found on the Coaches’ Club Website

Point Shots: Tips and Tricks
I am noticing a disturbing trend in the increasing number of goaltenders who are getting beat by screens and tips from point shots. This is becoming a problem as young goaltenders are not being taught properly as to how much they should challenge a point shot. This is due strictly to being caught too deep in the net and not being aggressive enough when the puck is at the point

Part I – Goalie Pads: Tips and Tricks
As everyone is aware, the goaltending position has evolved the most out of any position, in any sport, over the last decade. Gone is the complete stand –up style goaltender, and in has come the butterfly goaltender, and the hybrid goaltender. A butterfly goaltender is the type of goaltender that will drop down to his knees in almost every situation, and the hybrid goaltender is the type of goaltender whose style is a little more unpredictable in the fact that he may stay on his feet to make a save or he may drop to his knees in a butterfly goaltending style.

Part II – Goalie Pads: Tips and Tricks
Step 1: The correct way to put on the pads.
Step 2: Using skate lace to attach the toe of the pad to the skate
Step 3: Put the pad on

The butterfly, hybrid style goaltending is now possible due to the fact that goalies wear their pads with their straps done up loosely and have good inside knee protection. So if you have goalie pads with good inside knee protection, I suggest you wear your pads with the straps done up as loosely as possible.

Minor Hockey Player Development