Novice Aged Goalies

woodford · Squirt Joined: 25 Jan 2010 Posts: 2

I coach my son who is 9 years old and has become a goalie this past Christmas after grandpa purchased goalie equipment.

I play goalie myself back in the day before butterfly pads and modern equipment.

I am helping him with movement in and around the crease, stance, angles, etc... Essentially focusing on his skating, movements, recoveries and being square.

I am not familiar with butterfly techniques, more than what I have read and learned on the internet and through forums.

My question is, is he too young to learn proper butterfly techniques (more than dropping to his knees and keep stick in front and elbows tight to body), butterfly slides, etc...

Thanks

montreal961 · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:15 pm Post subject:

In my opinion, it is never too soon or too late to teach somebody the butterfly technique, or any technique for that matter. If you keep teaching him the technique, he will get it sooner or later. It does take a while to get it right, and to be able to perfect it, but he will get it with practice.
_________________

Returning2MyNet · Minors Joined: 09 Mar 2009 Posts: 379

961 is right but there is a progression that needs to be followed to some degree. Your "old sChool" rules ALL still apply. Your son needs to become proficient at his angles and "in stance" crease movements, and become an out standing skater.
Stick on the ice movements from 1 to 3 or 1 to 4 and 1 to 5 (etc..)sd along the top of the crease are just the plain and simple fundamentals.
He needs to learn recovery, down, up. down up...down and out and up
The rest as you see gets built in...like ok your down and made the save, load gather and slide toward where the puck went and recover to stance.
get him to a goalie school, they will get him on that track and once you see it, you will understand the basic progression and be a better coach for him.
_________________

alexthegrrr8 · Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:30 pm Post subject:

The following is just my opinion...

I coached a Novice rep team last year. The goalie that I worked with last year had never been on the ice in his life prior. Suffice to say he played great and he was with no doubt our team MVP if we had one.

The one thing that I'll say is don't get too technical with him too fast. I preached something I taught years ago to a goalie in the same age group. LOL.. refer to my signature. Definitely working on butterfly-style saves is important but it isn't the end all. At this age group working on movements like the t-slide and such is equally important. Especially at that age group where they may not be able to push off strong enough on say a 2 on 1.

Watch your son, and see what his tendencies are. Focus on his strengths and don't get caught up on one thing. Ironically, I have to evolve myself as a 38 year-old. LOL.. time for my post.

Take care and let us know how he makes out.

Alex
_________________
"Remember the ABC's of goaltending.. Angle, Block and Cover" - Me