Check out these drills from Matthew Bourgeois's 2023 TCS Live presentation on Net Front Battles from a Goalie’s Perspective.
Matthew Bourgeois has been a coach and a scout for over 20 years at some of the highest levels. He is currently coaching at Canisius College NCAA D1. Matthew is a certified High Performance 1 Coach and Goaltending Level 3 Coach with Hockey Canada who works with the Ontario Hockey Federation, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and Northern Ontario Minor Hockey Association as a Goaltending Coach and mentor.
Bourgeois’ presentation on Net Front Battles from a Goalie’s Perspective provided a unique on-ice breakdown from the eyes of a netminder. How do goalies deal with screens and traffic during the course of a game? Bourgeois offers tips and tricks for anyone looking to help their goalies improve their reads and reactions.
HIGH TIP DRILL
DESCRIPTION
- Players start in an Umbrella Formation with pucks at the top of the circles outside the dots.
- The goalie starts square with F1 on the right side. There are two defensive players and one defensive player net front to start the drill.
- To start the drill, F1 passes to F2 at the top of the umbrella. F3 releases to the slot/high slot area looking to tip/deflect the puck on net.
- After 4 or more reps, F1 can drive the net to become a 2nd option for F2.
KEY POINTS
- The goalie must fight for sight lines.
- With F3 and potentially D2 higher in the slot, it will be difficult to find the puck.
- The goalie will have to asses depth/angle squareness based on traffic and sight lines.
- The goalie will have to communicate with D regarding sight lines and rebounds.
ONE LAYER SCREEN DRILL
DESCRIPTION
- Shooter/F1 starts at top middle of the zone, above the circles with pucks similar to top of umbrella.
- F2 and F3 start on opposite faceoff dots. The Goalie starts on the dot angle.
- Either Goalie 2 or another attacker are standing front middle of the crease to provide a screen.
- When the Goalie moves to square with the shooter, F2 and F3 release to the net.
- This adds pressure on the goalie and can become tip/deflection options.
- When the goalie arrives, the shooter shoots around or under the screen. F2/F3 hunt for rebounds.
KEY POINTS
- Shooter waits for Goalie to arrive in the middle of the net to simulate movement after a pass.
- Goalie stops on the side of the screen to the shooter’s strong side. This is best shooting angle.
- F2/F3 drive for rebounds.
- Goalie looks to contain puck or drive rebound past F2/F3.
- Helps Goalie focus on sight lines, depth, angle and squareness.
- Layers can be added with passes to F2/F3.
- Goalies battle for sight lines, being aware of secondary options.
TWO LAYER SCREEN DRILL
DESCRIPTION
- Players start in an Umbrella Formation with pucks at the top of the circles outside the dots.
- The goalie starts square with F1 on the right side. There are two defensive players and one defensive player net front to start the drill.
- To start the drill, F1 passes to F2 at the top of the umbrella. F3 releases to net front looking for a rebound and/or add traffic in front.
- The drill changes sides to start each time. After the third or fourth rep, the shooter can now shoot for a tip or deflection.
KEY POINTS
- The drill starts on the goalies’ right side.
- The goalie fights to create a visual connection with the puck with the pass.
- The goalie must decide on the best depth based on the traffic.
- The goalie has to be mindful of puck control and rebound placement.
- The goalie has to be aware of the offensive players and the positioning of his D.
- The goalie will have to communicate with D regarding sight lines, rebound placement and loose pucks.
