When to use paddle-down

puckstopper135 · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:34 am Post subject: When to use paddle-down

Do any of you ever use the paddle-down move? If so, when and why?

My sister was always told never to do it, which is good because a lot of goalies get into the habit of doing only that - but yet I use it when there's a quick wraparound to my blocker side, or when there's a scramble right in front of me so that I can cover the bottom of the net.

Should I just be sticking to a standard butterfly instead? Is it worth teaching my sister how to use it effectively and properly?

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 1:11 pm Post subject:

Well...paddle down, just like every other thing we do in our games, has it's uses. To say you can NEVER use it effectively is a bit of a dick move on the coaches part. I'm not going to pretend to know exactly when it should and shouldn't be used because as I think about it, I've used it at random times but never with any predictability. It's almost like the splits...effective yet compromising and not to be used all the time. Watch the pros, see when they do and don't do it and maybe it'll help you.

itechwarrior · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject:

Paddle Down Wrap. Smile

Pro Hybrid Training. Smile

Effective for coming out from behind the net, and trying to tuck it in. For stopping wrap around attempts.

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 3:20 pm Post subject:

Slinky · Minors Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 471 Location: Canton, GA

I'll use the paddle down on stick side wrap arounds, glove side, i prefer to throw the poke check in combination with the VH. I'm pretty good with my poke checks, so I rarely have plays out in front of me coming off the glove side from behind the net.

the other time i'll use paddle down is when there's a scrum in front, but i try to only go with it when the puck is in close, in people's feet and no one is going to be able to lift it up to the top of the net.

Whenever I go w/ paddle down, my glove side leg is extended and my glove is as wide and big as I can make it, sitting on top of the pad, and i'll place my body off center of the puck. Anything down low will hit me in the pads or stick, anything more than a foot off the ground generally hits me in the glove or torso. It really is just a %'s blocking save, and i would not recommend it for a reaction save at all.
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puckstopper135 · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:50 am Post subject:

Yeah I never use it as a first save off any shot. I use it mainly on wraparounds glove side with the VH, and on my blocker side because my VH isn't as strong there. And I've used it a couple of times in front of the net when there's a scramble too...

Just wasn't sure if any of that was right or wrong Smile

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject:

I've made a couple of what you call "first saves" (shots from the awkward goal line angle are still first saves) where a skater comes in on a breakaway and tries to go five hole with me in the splits. I keep the paddle down since obviously there's a gap when my legs are stretched post to post and they have shot a few times at that hole...and been stopped.

puckstopper135 · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject:

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject:

Why should I? 90% of my game is imitation of what I've seen pros successfully do on TV since I've never had a goalie coach or attended a school...or played on a team for that matter. Watch them when a player comes in...they do the splits (here's the trick, lean forward not backwards) and keep the paddle down between their legs if they're going right side of the net, or put their trapper down there (opening down) if they're going left side of the net so they have the stick to poke/seal the back door.

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject:

Better yet, look at my sig. That picture was actually taken right before I went paddle down/full splits and guess what...the guy shot it right into my stick. See how I'm leaning forward already in the half splits? You want to lean forward because it's easier to push up and hop up to the ready stance when you're on your stomach then if you're on your a** and you have to rotate your pads, bring your body around then hop up...not to mention your hands are still somewhat available to you even when you're on your stomach and your legs will most definitely still be available.

Slinky · Minors Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 471 Location: Canton, GA

PS, if you ever fall backwards, you need to fix it. That shouldn't happen unless during a scramble. Always leaning forwards.

Arth, i know what you're talking about, i used to do the same thing. I started developing my poke check for things like that and i've found that if you do that and throw the poke check instead, even if you miss the puck, you'll disrupt the player's motion enough to prevent a goal. I've looked at your sig before, and i had thought that you were just about to throw the poke check in the picture.
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Because it hurts so good.

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:47 pm Post subject:

Nope, transition to full splits with glove out preventing (as you can see in the pic the player is going right side net) the up and over and my stick is in motion to cover the hole.

Slinky · Minors Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 471 Location: Canton, GA

i can see what you're doing now. it's the same thing i used to do, i ended up throwing poke checks a lot more when i started playing only roller hockey... sliding on concrete doesn't work so well.
_________________
Because it hurts so good.

Arthriticbutterflystyle · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

I'm tall, with a long reach...but one thing I've worked heavily on lately is poking the puck. It just clicked in my head that yeah, saves are pretty and you get more credit for them, but preventing the shot completely saves the game. I don't think goalies are given enough credit...unless they lose, then they're given ALL the credit.

Slinky · Minors Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 471 Location: Canton, GA

lol aye. poke checks aren't really taught anymore. I had a former AHL goalie that was my goalie coach when i was 11. he taught me to do the old school stack the pads-poke check for players coming to the front from the side... but that's it. I've had to develop the rest of it on my own, trying things here and there. I really only use that poke check as the player is coming across if he's going stick to glove though. I can get my glove up quickly, reach out and stuff, if i miss, but if he's going glove to stick and you miss the poke check, you're screwed... just stretch with the pad and hope he doesn't elevate the puck.
_________________
Because it hurts so good.