Tips for Netminders: Making Saves

There are a number of different saves that goaltenders employ in the net. Often, different saves are ideal for different skill levels and different situations. As you perfect your skills, you fill find that you use some techniques more than others, or meld them into new techniques. This page describes some basic saves and situations that arise. Before we get into actual save positions, we thought we would mention information useful to both scorer and goaltender. The following statistics can give you some ideas about what your opponents are aiming for. Keep these in mind when you are practicing.

Where Players Score From:
There are four areas that players score from the most often. They are in the slot, ranging from right in front of the goal to at a "bad angle". The first spot is about 10-25 feet out from the goal in the middle of the zone. The second spot is at a slight angle from the middle of the zone. The third spot is "off angle" near the face-off spots and the fourth spot is at a "bad angle" beyond the face off spots.

The Area of the Net Most Goals are Scored:
70% of goales are scored on the stick side. 20% of goals are scored on the glove side. 10% of goals are scored between the feet, rebounds, deflections, etc.

Height of Goals Scored:
Over 66% of all goals scored are below the goalie's knees. This is because these shots are easier to tip/deflect, they are hard work for the goalie and they create the most rebounds. 20% of goals are scored shoulder high or above. %10 of goals are scored between the knee and the shoulder.

Now onto different types of saves...

Butterfly:
The butterfly save is good for beginners, because it is relatively simple in its motion, and fairly easy to get up from. When attempting a butterfly save, assume your stance. Then, open your feet wider and set yourself lower. When the puck comes at you, drop both knees to the ice. Keep your hands and shoulders up and your stick on the ice. Meet the puck in front, and cover it if possible. If the shot misses the goal, pull one knee up and then the other, or jump straight back into your stance. Here is a photo of Dominik Hasek in the butterfly position.

Skate Save (or Stick Save - depending on which you block the puck with):
This save allows for good rebound control. It starts with a good stance. Keep your eye on the puck, and watch for the release. Turn your hips and drop your rear end. Drop one pad to the ice and extend your skate in a semi circular motion, keeping the blade on the ice. In your final position, your toe should point to the corner. You can also block with your stick in a sweeping motion. Here is an excellent example of John Vanbiesbrouk employing the skate/stick save.

Two Pad Slide (Also Referred as "Stacking the Pads"):
This save requires a good set at one of the posts. Keep your weight on your inside leg and leave the post as the puck is passed. Push towards the shooter's stick and go down quickly on your side. Kick your feet and stack your pads. Block the net with your catch glove or blocker (depending which direction your are moving in). There is another save, commonly done by Ron Hextall, which starts out with a good stance. Turn your hips and lay one pad down at the ice - at an angle, with your skate out. Keep your glove out in front, with your arm tight to your body. Your skate should be ready to be thrown out in a semi-circle. Your blocker arm should also be in tight. The move is same in the other direction.

When You are Screened:
Being screened stinks, but it is something every goalie has to deal with. It is always going to be hard to make a save when you are being screened, but here's some tips to help. Read the pass to the player you are being screened from. Move quickly as close to the screener as possible (unless there is a man at the corner of the net... in which case, you would want to stay back and keep him from tipping it in). Set up for the butterfly save and listen for the shot. Keep your stick on the ice and glove up and open. React to the shot as needed.

In Case of Deflections:
Deflections are an unpredictable result of hockey, but a goalie has to try and make the best of it. You cannot always assume that the puck will move from the shooter to you. Always keep alert for anything that might cause a deflection. If the ice is congested, establish a stance as quickly as you can. Try and know where the possible deflections are. Always remember to face and play the shooter. Wait for the shot, and then push towards the deflector's stick. Execute the butterfly or stick/skate save. As you become more experienced, you will be able to read possible deflections more accurately and more quickly. Just remember to not panic and practice reading the angles.

On Breakaways:
Breakaways are many goalies' worst nightmares. Even the best goaltender cannot stop most breakaway shots. Just be alert and try your best. Try and stay accutely aware of the play and see it coming early. Dash out to the hash marks and try and gauge the speed of the puck carrier. Start skating back hard when the shooter is 20 to 25 ft out from th net. Try to match his speed with your backward motion. Keep your eye on the puck, not the shooter or his stick. Wait for him to commit himself to a direction. When he dekes, push laterally, and react to the shot with an appropriate save.

Well, we hope these tips have been helpful in giving you perspective on some different saves and situations to use them in. We are by no means professional goaltenders, however, so if you have anything to add, or see any mistakes in this writing, please feel free to e-mail us. And keep up the good goaltending!

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