Start goaltending at age of 21?

Chasse · High School Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Sweden

Hi!
Im a 21 year old female goalie from Sweden and im wondering if there is anyone who has started goaltending from sctratch in a higher age?
I have played hockey since season 06/07 and right now i play both forward and goalie, started goaltending this season..
Is it possible to be a good goalie or a hockeyplayer when you start at my age? Do you have any tips in any drills that i can do on my own spare time? Both office and on ice? I have some movie clips from training that i could upload at youtube.

Would really appreciate some tips Very Happy

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puckstopper135 · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:17 pm Post subject:

You're definitely not the only one on here who would be starting from scratch...

itechwarrior, Otter, and a couple others that I can't think of right now have recently started, and I think Cman had started in his 20s.. ish.

Just get as much ice time as possible and practice practice practice Smile

Otter · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject:

PS is right - at least on my account.

I'm 35 now, and just really started playing last year. And by really started playing, I mean I played shinny/pickup once a week for a few months last winter, and just got hooked up with a bunch of guys with regular ice time this winter (still once a week - and not competitive at all)

Technically I plaed a little when I was in my 20's... like 4 or 5 times... enough for me to get it into my system, and I've been wanting ever since to get the equipment and time to play more. I'm am by no means good, nor fit. I'm primarily doing this for a social activity, and the exercise that it provides. And heck - it's fun to have frozen rubber shot at you.
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itechwarrior · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject:

I started at 31... Smile

Love it.

Not going to make any pro leagues or anything, but still much more fun than Defense.

dirkhorst · College Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 83

Hay Ya,
I started goaltending with 30 ........ bloddy ten years ago........... now I coach the Elgin goaltenders in my holiday trips to Scotland and became an offer to play 4th league in Germany..........but i have no desire to play with 20 years old boys............. it´s more fun to play with ex pros and pros in the summertime and on tournaments.

Regards
Dirk
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Grizzledgoaltending · Squirt Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Ottawa, ON

By no means are you barking up the wrong tree starting late. There are plenty of goalies who wait until they are later into the game to start playing. I personally know of goalies who didn't start playing until they were well into their 30's and 40's and now play in top divisions of local mens/womens leagues. If you are committed and you want to improve there are a lot of great/easy things you can do on your own to improve.

A good movement video, not the best out there, but in a quick scan is the follow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otePJcISmNo
Courtesy of CBC's Think Hockey Segments, what is important here is not the goalies technique (not the best) but the idea that there are quick drills you can use to work on when you have time.

The key to improving is play and play up, try to find as much ice time above your skill level but within your range. Play where your going to get scored on, but where you can still make saves.

Hope this helps.
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Jeremy Whalen
Grizzledgoaltending.com

canadian_man_44 · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:09 pm Post subject:

I've always been a ball hockey goalie, but I started on ice at around 23. It's never too late to start.
You can do a search on Youtube for some Wogtech videos. He's a pretty good teacher.
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Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:22 am Post subject:

Starting late just means you have to take that into account. There's no set age where someone has to start playing. That being said, you have to remember that when you're out playing with people who've been playing for 10+ years or since they started walking. Most places have separate leagues for people at different skill levels. Just find some instructional stuff, know what to look for while you're playing, and recognize errors...that's the best way to build up. I'm almost in the same boat. Started hockey at 13, played forward for a year, switched my second year then had a 5 year break. I'm essentially back at square one now. It's not impossible, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

B1otter · College Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 48

Yeah, Im 25 and Ive started to play again after not playing since bantam. Ive grown a foot taller, and equipment has gotten so advanced that I may as well never have played before.

"Pro Hybrid Theory" DVD Really helped me get back in tune with the fundamentals.

HabbySC · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

I started playing inline at 31 after learning getting on skates for the first time 5 months prior. It is NEVER to late. I've recently started in ice and love it too. Just make sure to play with good players that will challenge you and work hard. It'll be even easier from a flexibilty and joint stress angle to start in your 20's If you have questions or stories, that is what this great forum is for.

Do it.

Matze · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:47 am Post subject:

Well, as it has often been said by now, i have to affiliate to them. I've just started playing goalie last year at the age of 20. I'm really having fun and am totally committed to getting better. Though it is only a sports course of the university i attend. But my coach now wants me to play with his inline hockey team over summer! I hope it'll work out well! You see, if you're motivated everything will be alright!

zannalee02 · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:03 am Post subject:

Welcome, Chasse!

I started at 23, exactly one year ago now! Played only a little bit through my teen years, skated out a lot, but always wanted to play goal. Go for it, the others are right, just take into account that you are starting later. I advanced pretty quickly-my league put me in the lower of two skill-based divisions last season, and they are already considering moving me up. If they do that, I'll be playing with and against everything from upper intermediate to former college players, so in answer to your question it's entirely possible to be a good player or goalie with less experience than others!

When I started, I begged help from a few goalie friends, went in with another beginning goalie on a double goalie lesson, and just experimented with different ideas, which I'm continuing to do. I'm still learning and loving it! Taking a lesson would be good, because a good goalie coach can identify strengths and weaknesses you and your teammates may not see. I was talking with one of the upper division goalies the other day, and she said I should push the league to move me up so I can keep improving. The message there is play against people who will challenge you without discouraging you.

It's all mental for me. If someone who's been playing for years can score on me, big deal. I'll just learn to stop them somehow. Laughing

Browse around the site-you'll find tips on just about any goalie-related subject. If you don't find what you're looking for, start a thread or pm someone with your question.

By the way, I'm also a female, and it's great to have another here!
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Returning2MyNet · Minors Joined: 09 Mar 2009 Posts: 379

It doesnt matter, you just have to be realistic in your expectations. BAsily if your starting at 21 there is no reason you could not play for your womens National team, but the level of commitment would be very high on your end. To be the best in your league etc... its all about where you want to go and how much time you have to work on it and your personal resources.
Have fun with it.

Nabokov · Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 7:23 pm Post subject:

i started skating and goaltending at 18 i am now 29 and have played starter for 2 seasons in the BCHL. there is hope man, if you really want it u can do it, look at tim thomas
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Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 7:40 pm Post subject: