GOALIE TIPS

3. Glove Save Techniques

There's nothing in hockey that can bring a crowd to its feet more than a nice glove save. Being able to snatch a puck out of the air at speeds of up to 100 mph makes goalies a special breed of athlete.

When Goalies start off playing in net, one of the first things they should work on is hand-eye co-ordination. Being able to follow the puck at all times is a skill that makes a good goalie become even better.

Pucks that are shot to the glove side must be tracked with the eyes the moment the puck leaves the shooters stick. Following the puck into the catching surface of the glove is important in maintaining control, and preventing rebounds.

Ensure puck tracking skills at all times, even when the puck may not be in your zone. Always know where it is, and predict where it is going to be next.

Your catching glove (scoop, trapper) should be waist high with the catch surface open. Hold it slightly forward from your pads to allow you to always see it out of the corner of your eye. Never swing your arm behind your body, but swing it up or down, to catch pucks shot higher or lower than waist level.