Use visual targets to help goalies play the angles properly
Angles are, arguably, the most important part of a goaltender’s game. If you cannot manage your angles appropriately, it will be more difficult to make the simple saves. Using these 11 visual cues on the ice will assist goaltenders, at all levels, to manage where they are on the ice.
11 Visual Cues: Sequence 1
1 & 11 – Goal Line
2 & 10 – Board-side Hashmarks
3 & 9 – Defensive Zone Dots
4 & 8 – Blue Line on the Boards
4 & 7 – Neutral Zone Dots
6 – Straight up the Middle
11 Visual Cues: Sequence 2
1. Spray paint lines on the ice that match up with the visual cues
2. Set up pucks further out along the visual cues (spray paint dots to keep the set-up)
3. Players shoot from the spray painted dots, goalie uses spray painted lines to judge angles
Notes:
In this drill I discuss marking the ice using rope and paint. This is not absolutely necessary to work with the visual cues but will help a younger goalie correct his or her position within a practice. After doing this once or twice, you shouldn’t have to do it anymore unless the goaltender continues struggling with angles.
Another good idea is to take video of the goalies telescoping in and out. You can then show them the video so they can see how the angles change while they move in and out at the cue. This will definitively teach them how angles work. All of this seems very simple and basic, yet almost all goalies struggle (even some of the most experienced) with angles at some time in their career. Work on this and you will definitely be a better goalie.
Regards,
Hands
USE THIS DRILL IN YOUR OWN PRACTICE PLAN:
KleimanGoalie Thanks Zach!
Jeremy, you know when something has lasted the test of time it should be written in stone. I remember learning this when I was 7 years old (21 years ago) and I’m thrilled to have stumbled across this on your website. Working with goalies of all age groups I can’t think of a better way to improve their knowledge of angles and where they are in the net.
Thanks,
Zach Kleiman
Very cool drill, will be sure to use this at my next practice!
let me know how it goes!
What are the 11 cues?
did you watch the video? it outlines them in the vid
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