NHL 16 Goalie Tip- Most Important Skill Goalie's Need

[jmoney2436]

WARNING: THIS 'SKILL' WILL TAKE TIME TO DEVELOP.

A majority of the work we do as goalies happens before the shot takes place. And it is this work that is most important when playing net. Once we prepare ourselves properly in net, the rest is reaction time. These are tips for how to read plays on the ice, recognizing trouble before it happens, and how to mentally prepare yourself before you need to do anything with your goalie.

1. NO TUNNEL VISION! - This is the worst thing you can do as a goalie. Only focusing on the puck carrier will mean every cross crease/backdoor/wrap/ etc. will catch you off guard and get you moving wildly in the crease.

2. Don't stare at your goalie- Going along with the first tip. Get comfortable with you're goalie's movement in the crease to where you can focus on the play at hand keeping track of all skaters on the ice. The goalie should always be within your vision, even when tracking the other skaters. Peek back from time to time to checkup on him though.

3. Find the Key threats (High/Low Slot) - Obviously the puck carrier is a threat to score, but if you see anybody left open for a 1-Timer, especially in the slot, near your net, or even behind your net for a possible wrap, theses players should jump out in your mind. If you can see that they're open, the other team can as well.

On the flip side, are players by the boards a serious threat to score? That's an easy save so since they aren't a serious threat quickly get yourself in position and focus on where they can pass the puck (or where they can skate).

4. Mentally Prepare - You see they're open now what? You still have to play the shot, but now we can prepare ourselves for the pass. Are we in a good position to where we can play the shot AND the pass? A desperation save should be our last option so try to get yourself in a good position to where you can handle any shot.

5. YOU DID IT!- Congrats you just all the hard work of playing goalie and nothings happened yet. You're angles are covered, you prepared for the pass just in case. All that's left is to press the buttons when the time comes. Butterfly if they shoot, or move and the butterfly if they pass.

*I think this is the 3rd video I've mentioned this but it just shows how important it is. Moving first before pressing butterfly is critical. If you press butterfly first, you'll delay your goalie's movement to a point where you severely hurt your chances of making cross crease saves. You're goalie goalie does a good job stopping low shots even if you don't press butterfly in time. You should still press butterfly, but focus on moving first.

Butterfly = Ready to Make Save. Save and then moving doesn't make sense. Moving to a good position and then making the save does. Don't drop to butterfly until you are absolutely ready to make the save (because you know the shot is coming).

6. Puck Down Low- Puck down low, most of you're attention should be near your net, or at least the entire middle of the zone in general. A direct pass to the point from behind the net is very difficult (from the corner is possible). Its usually a wrap, shortside shot, or centering pass to the front of the net. Once again its all about preparation. When you're prepared then its decent reaction time.


Hopefully this helps. Goalies need to process a ton information every play. It's important we do our homework so we can read where the puck is most likely heading. Thanks for your time. Cheers