Few sessions at TCS Live have created as much laughter and energy as Steve Thompson’s presentation on how to make goaltender training more engaging. The USA Hockey goaltending coach brought a contagious enthusiasm to the ice and challenged coaches to think differently about how they use their goalies in practice.

Step one: use your goalies in practice!

For many youth teams, the pattern is familiar. Goalies skate a few laps, take part in a handful of team drills, and then stand around for the rest of practice. Thompson wanted to change that. His message was clear: goaltenders deserve training that is challenging, creative, and fun. When practices are designed with intention, goalies not only improve faster but stay excited about the position.

“We can build skills and smiles at the same time.”

To prove his point, Thompson ran through a series of drills that were as entertaining as they were effective. One of the first was Simon Says, used to train movement and control around the crease. What started as a playful game quickly became a demanding workout, forcing goalies to focus on balance, reaction, and quickness.

Training Through Play

Thompson’s imagination was on full display as he introduced American Gladiators, a new favourite among the crowd. Two goalies faced off on their pads without sticks, pushing and sliding against each other to knock their opponent out of a circle drawn on the ice. The drill was competitive and physical, but it also built strength, balance, and body control.

And it was really entertaining for all the coaches in attendance.

He followed that with another version where goalies placed their sticks between them to play Tag, pushing back and forth to test stability and positioning. Every drill had a clear purpose, yet each one felt more like play than work. Thompson explained that for young goalies, this kind of environment can build a stronger foundation than repetitive, isolated movements ever could.

Integrating Goalies into Team Practice

Thompson also tackled one of the biggest challenges youth coaches face: finding enough time for goalie-specific work. His solution was simple but effective. Instead of pulling goalies away from team drills, he showed how to integrate them directly into the flow of practice. With a few adjustments, coaches can give goalies meaningful reps without slowing things down for everyone else.

“It’s possible to challenge your goalies and keep your players moving. It just takes imagination.”

Thompson’s approach reminds coaches that goalie development doesn’t have to mean more time or equipment. It just means being deliberate about how that time is used.

Coaches’ Challenge

This week, take a look at how your goalies are being used in practice. Are they engaged from start to finish, or are they waiting for their turn? Add one activity that combines movement, competition, and fun.

Steve Thompson’s session was a reminder that when goalies are challenged and enjoying themselves, everyone on the ice benefits.

Noteworthy timestamps:

• 0:00 Intro to optimizing training
• 3:50 Clock and Simon Says
• 7:40 American Gladiator
• 11:50 Compass rebound game
• 16:15 Butterfly decision making game
• 20:00 One puck 2v2