The focus is simple dynamic skating that hits the fundamentals of crease movement.

We are going to review some basic skating drills, that goalies at any age group can add into practice or even pre-game warm ups. The focus is simple dynamic skating that hits the fundamentals of crease movement.

I like to start with the double C-cut (forward and backwards) above. This movement focuses on warming up the key areas of the lower body ie: hips, knees, groin and ankles. The double C-cut also allows the goalie to create a strong mind/muscle connection and has them focus on connecting the movement chains. Starting with simple forward and backward movement helps set the foundation for the rest of the ice session.

With this skating drill you can evaluate the goalie’s stance, their balance, their hand placement, stick control and identify how they see the ice (if the goalie skates with their chin in the air they are not at the right head trajectory. Goalies must always skate with their chin down and eyes angled down towards the yellow dasher boards. This allows goalies to pick up the puck easier.)

Getting your goalie(s) to start focusing on direction changes, control (body and edges), visual connections and anticipating the play is the focus of 180 C-cuts with shuffles. Goalies and coaches will get immediate feedback from this drill. Goalies will want to have consistent contact from their blade on the ice, assessing the C-cuts left on the ice will let the coaches know if the goalie is balanced (consistency of the cut in the ice), are they connected to the ice (can they quickly change directions).

Where is the power coming from? Are they maintaining good form/stance through the movement? Can this be implemented in their game? It’s easy to have goalies go through movements to “warm up,” but are they practicing like they play? Goalies should be able to maintain a solid stance (athletic position) through the movement. The shuffles after the 180 degree rotation mimics the movement after the pivot in the crease, especially when tracking a pass D-to-D. 

Crease movement specific to simple angle changes help goalies build the movement memory or “crease map” into their subconscious. I like to start at the top middle of the crease and have the goalies move to the face-off dot angles. I like to use pucks as markers to help the goalie stay focused on always finding the puck before initiating the movement. These crease drills can be done anywhere on the ice and both goalies can participate in a similar setup face-to-face. This can get both goalies moving at the same time, but in opposite directions. I like to start with shuffles, some goalies will need to T-Push for this distance (depending on age and level). At the end we finish with butterfly slides and recoveries (tight, short movements in the butterfly can be difficult).

Crease drills do not have to be complicated, the focus needs to be on precise movement, the goalie leading with their eyes, (eyes initiate the movement) – Movement sequence – head, hands, feet. These drills are important when playing in different rinks for games, as in minor and even junior hockey we can find ourselves playing in many different settings or environments.