Creative Training Ideas for Goalers! Part 4
January 1, 2010 by admin
Todd Jacobson is still off with his women’s team at Notre Dame Academy for the next few months. Of course, that won’t prevent him from occasionally sending us updates, ideas or further insight into goalie training.
In the meantime, my Team NEHI kids keep practicing and playing, and I’m still here to show you a little of what we’re doing. And, picking-up from where we left-off in Part 3 of this series, I’m going to show you another step in those 2-puck Drill progressions.
– Dennis Chighisola
Creative Training Ideas for Goalers! Part 4
If you haven’t already, please take a quick run through the earlier post on this topic. (It would be a good idea if you view the previous “Creative Training Ideas for Goalers” entries, just so you have an idea of how the next drill evolved.)
Now that our goalies can tumble and find one ball with pretty good regularity, it’s time to move them on towards a REAL challenge.
I mean, we all thought that 2-puck Drill was pretty difficult, huh? Well, wait until you get a look at this one…
Here a netminder is tumbling, but he’s confronted with having to find and catch two balls at the same time! Not easy folks, but it’s awesome to help a goalie deal with all the craziness that happens around him, and with the need to find a puck amid chaos.
So, have a look at the video (just click on the photo below)…
Well, to date that’s it for progressions along this line. But, I’m still thinking, and I’m hoping you are, too.
Actually, maybe you can help with some new ideas. Todd and I would love your Comments or suggestions!
As a postscript, I’m posting a link to this video from the Highlight Reel Skills section, mainly because the young goalie in this video demonstrates something I want all of my players to have. I mean, did you notice his reaction when he failed one time? Sure, I think he felt a little embarrassed. At the same time, however, I think he was laughing at himself, knowing full well that he can eventually lick that challenge. So again, that’s an awesome training attitude to have, the ability to laugh at oneself as you try new challenges. And it’s something I always noticed about the kids I had who went on to make a name for themselves in the game.
– Dennis Chighisola
Coach Chic, Sorry I haven’t been able to get more up on the site. Yes the rigors of coaching high school hockey are strenuous especially when we’re struggling a bit right now. I do like the “addition” to the 2 puck/ball drill. I have always felt that in any given drill or skill that once something is mastered or becomes easy it’s time to “up the ante” and make it a bit more challenging. Like the progression in juggling. Start with one ball, move to two, then move to three. Once that is mastered why not 2 balls with one hand or the 3 ball juggle off the wall or off the ground. I think it’s wise for goalies to be creative and once they master something come up with another twist to make it more challenging. We’ve done some pretty crazy things up at the lab over the years. Like juggling while doing squats or jumping rope while juggling. It really keeps the creative juices flowing and it keeps the goalie fresh to new challenges. As soon as I can get a minute to send some more articles your way I will. Plus who said you don’t know anything about goalies, by the looks of the articles your doing fine!!!
Aaaaah, Tood, I remember those times well, from my long ago days as a high school coach and then a college coach. A lot of folks don’t realize how much time needs to be spent behind the scenes in such jobs. (To me, it always took total focus.) Still, would we have it any other way?
As for our goaltending members, I’m sort of hoping they’ve gotten the idea about being creative. Actually, here’s a tip for goalers and skaters alike… Although your coach might run an upbeat, fast paced practice, there are still usually a lot of times when players have to stand in line or otherwise wait their turn to work. And I’m always suggesting to my skaters that they spend that time wiser than their teammates might, perhaps working on a puck trick while standing in line, dribbling with their eyes up or closed, whatever. Which makes me think that a goalie could just as easily use his or her down-time to perform some stunts as we’ve described here at CoachChic.com (or, as you suggest, be creative).
Oh, and about my not being toooo much into the specifics of netminding… I’ve actually planned an article on the subject for release fairly soon — something maybe titled “All I Know About Goaltending”.
Good luck with your Notre Dame Academy team, Todd!