Through many years of study and evolution I have come to a conclusion. In my opinion, goaltending boils down to one fundamental concept; angles. Most coaches and parents think that goaltending is about movement fundamentals or speed. This is mis-directed logic. The movements and styles are only fractions or pieces of the game. The reason I say this is due to the difference in styles. Many goalies have different styles, (stand up, hybrid, butterfly, straight line, c-cut, etc.) however, they all have to accomplish the same goal of covering the same amount of net. The only way to do this is to have knowledge and skill that is surrounded and built upon angles. At BTPclinics we describe and teach angles three ways, vertically, laterally, and depth.

Vertical angle is the distance from the ice to the cross bar. Anything lower than the cross bar has an opportunity to go in the net. All the angles can be seen by using a rope tied to both elbows at the top of the net. Bring the rope down to the ice and take out the slack. This is shown on our DVD series very nicely. With this set up in your head, picture the side profile of the net with the ropes extending straight out. That triangular distance from the ice up is the vertical angle. The Vertical angel changes by the position of the goalies stance, butterfly or standing up. It is also closely related to the depth angle.

Lateral angle is the change in width that is shown again with the ropes as the shooter and goalie move laterally. With the same set up of ropes, pull the ropes around the zone and watch what happens to the area in which the puck can score. The puck can score anywhere inside the rope. As the play moves closer to the boards and goal line, the angle and width of the ropes becomes exponentially smaller.

Depth angle is the change that the goalie makes moving in and out of the net. The farther out the goalie is the less the shooter has to score. The deeper the goalie is the more net that is exposed to a potential goal.

Simply put, a goaltender has to have a good knowledge of what each angle means and how to use them to your advantage. Here are some game situations and how you can use the angles to your advantage.

1.      Breakaways: Provided that you are a good skater, the goalie can attack out farther than normal to detour a shot. If there is no threat of a shot on the back or then a goalie can take more depth and give up some of the lateral to give him the advantage.

2.      Odd man rushes: In a situation where the defensemen is uncommitted you can stay deeper in your challenge giving up some depth, to save you distance and time on getting across laterally on a pass.

Angles are not a set science as much as they are guidelines for goaltenders given all the different styles. Again, if I have a big goalie, he can play deeper giving up some depth, but allowing him a better shot at a lateral move. Like wise, a smaller goaltender can challenge out more on the depth, knowing that he is fast enough to get over on a shot. Learn your angles and figure out what works best for your style of play and the rest will come. The movements can only help you get into position, but if you don’t know what position to get into then your skating fundamentals are useless.