blocker

Like any useful save selection, the Blocking Butterfly has developed different variations to fit the needs of different goalies and goalie coaches. In this article we will go over the three different types of Blocking Butterfly’s. In addition, we will go through the benefits and pit falls of each save selection.

Mike Smith vs. Detroit Redwings 12/8/2011

As most goalies would agree, being a goaltender is the hardest position in any professional sport. A couple of years ago Steve wrote an article demonstrating why goaltending is so difficult and more difficult than any other position in any sport. One specific part that makes being a goalie so difficult, and as I recall was not mentioned in Steve’s article, is the ability and necessity to overcome fear.

Being a goalie, there are many things to fear.

Watching this years NHL playoffs, its hard not notice the heroic and often aw-inspiring performances of certain goalies, namely the Boston Bruins Tim Thomas. His athleticism and competitiveness are evident in every game. While Thomas’s work ethic and never-say-die approach to every loose puck has put him on every NHL highlight reel for save of the year, Thomas is actually creating these save opportunities because of a lacking and inefficient skill, stick involvement.

One of my duties as a coach is the make sure that my goalies, coaches, and clients can differentiate between techniques. The techniques that I will be discussing here are defined as Stick Discipline and Stick Involvement. The lines between these two techniques have been blurring at the amateur level over the past few years.

This is a common game situation at all levels of hockey.

This is a common game situation at all levels of hockey. Take a close look at the following items:

1) The attacker has significant backside pressure

2) His head his down with a split focus on the puck

3) His stick is "closed" meaning that his stick blade is square to the side boards, not the goalie.