Blocking Butterfly Variations

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.

                                   
The most common of all Blocking Butterfly types, as well as the most widely taught, is what I call the Secondary Save Block. In this save selection the goalie brings both the glove and the blocker down to the side of the body and on top of the pads. This creates a hard seal so the puck cannot enter the net through our armpits. The stick in this save, and mainly why I call it the Secondary Save Block, gets extended out into a “9 Iron” position out in front of the body. The stick remains in the 5-hole with good discipline, but has an extreme ramp tendency if the puck makes contact. The concept behind this stick position is to cover the 5-hole, as well as the ramp the puck into a possession save if it comes in the center of the body on the ice. This idea, although sometimes effective, goes against our main idea of efficiency. All goalies, no matter what style of play, should remain as efficient as possible. If the puck hits the stick and ramps into the body, the goalie in affect made two saves on one shot. Having to make two saves on one shot is doing more work then necessary and thus is not efficient. Future Pro tends to shy away from this save when ever possible.

                                      
A more recent variation of the Blocking Butterfly, and a much less effective selection, is what I call the Skinny Blocking Butterfly. Niemi and Hiller are just a couple of the goalies who utilize this Blocking Butterfly with mixed success. In this save selection, the goalie again brings both the glove and blocker down to the side of the body and on top of the pad. The goalie minimizes the flare on their pads and put their stick parallel with the puck rendering it useless for 5-hole coverage and rebound control. The underlying concept behind this save is mobility. When a goalie has a smaller flare, it is stated by the coaches who teach this save selection, that the goalie can move laterally in less time. The Skinny Block also puts the goalie in the best position to slide back to the post, directly into a post leg down with the boot break inside the post. The stick in this position is not used to make any contact with the puck. The coaching philosophy behind this save selection states that the stick is no longer effective and should only be used to pull rebound off the pads back into a coverable area. Stick involvement and stick discipline are not relevant to this style of play. I highly discourage goalies to use this save selection. Although this save selection on “paper” may sound attractive and is heavily sold by its promoters, it goes against any common and logical style of play. Here are some examples of why this save selection, especially the stick placement, can hurt us more then help us.
    1.) Rebound Control Efficiency: We know from the RCE that a puck in the corner is always better then a square rebound or a kill zone rebound. Without having proper stick discipline and involvement, there is no chance of a corner rebound as well as an increase in kill zone and square rebounds.
    2.) 5-Hole Coverage: It is inevitable that at some point in some game, an in tight play will develop quicker then we can react even getting into a blocking butterfly. In some plays, the flash to bang time of the pads hitting the ice from a razor ready stance will still not be enough to seal up before the puck enters the net. Here is where stick discipline comes into play. If we can’t get the pads down in time, the only chance we have of stopping a puck on the ice is with our stick. If the stick is taken out of the play, that chance no longer exists.
    When a complete analysis of this save selection is done, there are many more “cons” then “pros.” Just the other night I watched yet another goal go in from a poor angle due to a post leg down, skinny block butterfly save selection. The game was Pheonix vs. Detroit.

The third type of Blocking Butterfly commonly seen in today’s game seems to be the best choice for the speed of today’s NHL. The third type of Blocking Butterfly I call the Stick Discipline Blocking Butterfly. This block save varies only slightly from the 1st block variation (secondary save blocking butterfly). The glove is brought down to the pad and the side of the body. The pads are extended in full flare. The only difference is the stick position. The stick is held much closer to the body with the blocker slightly elevated from the pad. This elevation allows for full contact of the stick to the ice without giving up much coverage on the blocker side. With the stick in this position, the goalie has good 5-hole coverage and can get the stick involved on many of the saves. With the blocker elevated, there is less net in the top corner on the blocker side. However, there is a slight disadvantage with the blocker high position. When the blocker is elevated, there is a slight hole given to the shooter just over the pad on the blocker side.  The Stick Discipline Blocking Butterfly is Future Pro’s block of choice.

With any Blocking Butterfly save selection there will be benefits and pit falls. The key, as with any save selection or coaching philosophy is to understand those pit falls and execute according to the situation at hand. Personally, I prefer my goalies utilize the Stick Discipline Blocking Butterfly followed by the Secondary Save Blocking Butterfly.