GOALIE

PIPE LEFT

When ball is shot, use the "drive and step" motion to step outside the line of the ball so the center of the chest now is in line with the ball. By doing this, it will assist in getting the body in behind the stick and also perhaps making a save with the body if the save is missed by the stick. This is extremely important for making low saves, as it will help the body be in better position to play the bounce.

Goalies should be taught to "punch" with the top hand at the ball. One very effective drill is to have the goalie(without stick) punch at the ball with his top hand as the coach tosses it. It is important that the hips follow with every save so the body is in position behind the hands. Coaches should throw the ball and not use the stick for this drill. Tennis balls are very effective for use in this drill. Doing this drill daily as part of the goalie warm up will drastically increase hand eye coordination and teach the goalie to drive his top hand at the ball when making saves. The key to controlling rebounds when punching is to have a proper top hand cushion(described above in "Stance" section) and to give slightly with the ball as you feel contact and also to push up with the bottom hand as described below.

On high shots, as you punch with the top hand during a save, immediately follow that with a push upwards of the bottom hand. This will create a basket effect by lifting the stick upwards to help prevent rebounds on high shots and help make a more secure save.

By keeping the elbows out in front of the body, it will keep the goalie from "handcuffing" himself during the save.

These are the three motions of making a save. Use the hands out in front first with the head following the ball to the hands second and the feet will fall in behind them both. This phrase should be used everyday when working with goalies.

One common mistake is to only teach the goalie to "step" at the ball when making a save. While this is important, it is useless if the off ball foot is not driving at the same time. The idea is to get the hips to move quickly so the body will be in better position behind the hands. Drag the off ball foot after contact to help retain balance through the save. Remember to drive and step OUTSIDE THE BALL, NOT AT THE SHOOTER.

It is important that the goalie not become "top heavy" with his head too far out over his body because his weight is then out in front of his feet, causing him to be completely off balance and making it difficult to extend back up to react to a high bounce. Have the goalie keep his butt low and "SHOULDERS OVER HIS HIPS" with his head up enough so you can see his face from the nose down. If you see nothing but the top of the goalies helmet it is most likely that he is too "top heavy".

On bounce shots, it is important to teach that the goalie do his best to kill the bounce, meaning that they try to meet the ball where it makes contact with the turf.

When making low saves to stick side low or off stick low, place the foot in behind the stick facing out away from the goalie so the inside of the foot is behind the stick.

See the shooters lead elbow(i.e. if shooting right handed, the lead elbow is the left elbow, vice versa for left handed shots) Once you see the elbow, follow that to the hand then follow from the hand up the shaft to the head of the stick to help locate the release point and pick up the ball. THIS WILL TAKE A TON OF PRACTICE TO LEARN. Even if the shooter is good at hiding the stick behind his hands, you will still able to locate the ball by following up the hands to the head of the stick.