3 Things NEW Goalies Should Know 

Wow! All of your Comments are Awesome! It's great to see everyone supporting each other! You all are the best viewers a RU-vid Channel could ask for! Goalies, read ALL these Comments! Lot's of great insight's!

3 things I would say to a beginner is 1 don’t be afraid of the puck 2 get proper gear 3 do a lot of stretches

Spend the most in your budget on your helmet. I see so many new goalies spending a lot of money on their pads and just get a cheap helmet. It's your head, protect it.

Tip for any new goalie... CARDIO, CARDIO, CARDIO...

I hate when my brother tells me to do things as a goalie and people always say that goalie is easy so I asked me my coach if he had spare goalie gear for the team and so everybody tried goalie

just bought my first goalie gear last week, your videos help so far i was looking for a new challenge, wish me luck!

I’ve been a goalie for over 40 years. Played at various levels of the game, been on really good teams and of course, really bad ones too. You will learn quickly that whether you are successful or not it really doesn’t matter. What matters is that you get out there and live the dream. Being a goalie is the best! Many goalies haven’t figured that out yet. But, if you can get out there, stop some pucks, win a few games, have a great sweat, then afterwards, have a beverage (whatever that may be), YOU WIN! Unless your playing for the Stanley Cup, just get out there and have a great time. A few things to remember... 1. Work out. It is a physically demanding position. 2. Stretch. You will be moving in many different/odd ways. Make sure your body is ready. 3. Have good equipment. Nothing worse than not trusting your equipment. Spend money on the helmet, skates and chest protector. Make sure they all fit really well. Research, research, research. Find out what is good and what isn’t before you go in to buy. Have an idea of what you want. That’s it. Have fun, be safe, and keep living the dream! Goalies are awesome!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

I'm a new goalie. Played dek hockey as a goalie for 13 years (still do) and just now getting into ice. Have been on the ice 5 times so far and here's a few things I can give: 1. Stretch. Make sure you are properly stretching. As Wayne said, you are stretching in ways your body doesn't do on a normal day. Get your body used to the stretching that will be required. 2. Cardio. Holy mother of god, cardio. 3. You won't be good when you start, but you will be better than your mind tells you. Tell your mind to shut up and put everything into perspective. Patrick Roy was not a good goalie once. 4. Let yourself take compliments. When you make a routine save because you were square and a forward tells you good job, he's (probably) not making fun of you. A lot of these guys are just happy that you are insane enough to willingly play in goal. They are encouraging you. Again, you are better than you think you are, no matter how bad you actually are. If guys keep putting you down, find a new team. 5. Talk to other goalies! They understand and will generally help you and you can help them! What you picked up immediately isn't necessarily something they picked up and vice versa. 6. Keep working and just enjoy the time out there. You get to play in goal! That is awesome! You are totally awesome(TM)! I can go on and on, but I'll leave it there. As usual, great video Wayne! I always look forward to your videos, even more now that Cooper is involved!

Bungee/elastic toe ties. Kenesky toe ties. Broke an ankle having my skate lace toe ties to tight.

EXPERIMENT. With strapping, sharpness, everything. Make small changes before each ice time until you find what works best for you. Don't strap your pads or tie your toe ties as tight as you can - they need some slack to rotate around your leg. Try suspenders and attaching knee pads to pants or a garter belt to keep everything from falling down.

Outside of the equipment please ensure that you take the time to properly stretch you lower section ie groin, hips and hamstrings on and off the ice as you will be going through a serious workload. Footwork is an absolute must as it will help keep you in position so you won't over excert and when playing lower level remember you can't expect solid defense so don't put yourself in a bad position where you can't recover from . Last but not least have fun

The thumbnail made me laugh...it's genuinely surprising how many people believe that's how you wear goalie pads.

I have played hockey all my life. I am a retired 73 years old and play 7 hours a week with similar aged guys who played at a high level. One year ago I started playing goal on a whim, but my friend and now coach played professionally. He's helped me so much with the appropriate tip at the right time. About 80 hours later I have been in the zone once. But my save percentage is on the rise. I am reminded its a team game and I am not carrying the burden of everyone else's poor play. I love it and record the little gains I am making, even at 73.5 years of age. If you have a chance to play get good coaching for mind and body. Bob

I started playing organized hockey a year ago, (as a skater). i was an outdoor rink rat as a kid, but grew up playing basketball, but loved playing pickup hockey whenever I could. I am now starting another chapter in my hockey journey as I tended goal, for the first time as a 50 year old newbie. What a blast! This video is truth, and the comments below were definitely helpful in the start of this journey. Thanks for all the great videos!

Thank you so much I’m about to start playing and you have been a big help

I started playing playing hockey as roller ball hockey in southern California. It was completely different than what you think of as hockey. I used an ice hockey forward glove on my left hand as trappers were illegal. You could not catch the ball or cover it with your pads. Your goalie position was my like a catcher in baseball then a goalie in ice hockey. In fact, we wore a baseball catcher's chest protector. I was playing baseball too at the time which really did help my glove hand. Though I never did want to catch the puck across my body. But then ball hockey gave way to real roller hockey using a puck, full rink, and for goalies real hockey rules and equipment. I played roller hockey all the way through high school because ice hockey was too expensive for pads. What I realized as an adult and started playing on the ice was the my pads for roller hockey was not too far off. For new goalies 1. You will not stop every shot. 2. Learn your angles and use your crease. If you learn where your posts are in relation to the edges of your crease, you will be able be in good position more often. 3. Always be ready for a shot. 4. You will often be the overlooked player on the team but you will also have the most ice time on the team. 5. Have fun.

Hey wayne! As im breaking in a new glove just want to say how much i appreciate your ability to be articulate and to remind everyone its all about having fun..goalie is the best position on the ice..win some and lose some..but you gotta have fun..

Thank you making this Video, I recently bought the gear to play goalie, right before COVID 19 ramped up. I am hoping to get out on the ice soon to start playing the position.

As a new goalie myself, currently in an adult learn to play hockey program, the moment I realized I am not in shape to be doing this is when the coaches had everyone do crossovers around the faceoff circles and us goalies did outside edge pushes around the circles while in the goalie stance, I started getting pain in my sides. But bc I specifically chose to be a baseball catcher when I was younger bc I wanted to be a hockey goalie and the equipment was the same, I'm gonna stick with it and get into shape. Now to just learn to keep my stick on the ice

Huge fan , thanks for this video -PAT

Just wanna left greetings and wishin a happy new year from your German VOGSquad 🥅💪🏽✌🏼

Thanks Wayne. Always insightful and entertaining at the same time. Merry Christmas!!

Finally have all my gear. First stick time as a goalie tomorrow. Can't wait.

Merry Christmas to you and yours Wayne 😊

My 5 year old started to play goalie and is doing well, to help him along I got gear and quickly learned that learning the goalie position is crazy tough I grew up playing hockey and coach both my boys teams minor and major novice but playing in the net is a crazy challenge and has totally changed my view of the game and the position, if the goalie is getting a shot on net 5 of his or her teammates have not done their job leading up to the shot.....that said you gotta stop pucks, but if your gonna play in the net you gotta be ready for the good games and the bad ones you will have both.......have fun with it everything else is a bonus......Merry Christmas

Just started playing goalie at 37 years old. Played as a defenceman from the age of 5-18 then didn't even skate until early this year. Currently playing in a low level men's league and so far have a 4-4-1 record, 4.11 GAA & .825 S%. I've gotten better every game and loved the tutorial videos you posted to improve my game. Just wanted to say thanks man!

One thing I would go back in time and tell my mid-20's self: Work On Your Skating. I originally became a goalie because I wasn't a good enough skater to be a forward or defenseman. Goalies need to be as good, or maybe even better skaters than the forwards or defensemen on their team. I've been to a handful of goalie clinics, those are real eye-openers as far as where your skating weaknesses are. If you have the opportunity, attend one. See if you can find some skating clinics, too. Don't limit it to just hockey skating clinics, find a figure skating coach (it helps if they're a hockey fan), I know a couple of goalies from pickup hockey games who said that was a HUGE help with their balance and edge work.

Another thing i want to say is that you have to remember that you are playing because you love the game. You will go through ups and downs and stuggle all the time. It's natural. But remember not to give up because you will find your game sometime and it will be fun and rewarding.

Hey! Great videos. Would you be able to do a video on good exercises for a goalie to do?

I loved your comment about don't worry about sucking. My first time in my gear on the ice was so embarrassing, even though I was relatively experienced with my skates. I've been playing for about 3 weeks now and it definitely shows that I haven't been playing very long. However, compared to my first day, I'm pretty good now, and I expect I'll get better as I keep playing. Don't worry about being disappointingly or even embarrassingly bad. It will come with practice.

Cooper is looking as energetic as ever lol I'm still rocking my very original gear set since I started playing 5 years ago, but I am looking to make an upgrade very soon. Merry Christmas Wayne!

Alright so, really quick a brief background on me. Ive played goal for nearly 12 years and had offers to schools like Princeton and University of Tampa, as well as an offer to tryout for a Junior team called the Middlesex Blackbears. Since then I've become a goalie coach and have done that for 3 years now, my first ever pupil is now off playing AAA hockey, super proud of the kid. For new goalies, the first thing I would teach you is that one you NEED to start stretching. All those super cool and flashy looking pad saves you see in the NHL are only possible by solid flexibility in the hips/groin and fast reflexes. Without being limber enough through the hips/groin you're bound to pull something and it will greatly hinder your game. Next when it comes to equipment I want you take draw an imaginary line down the middle of your body. This is where you want the puck to hit you the most, so invest in a good helmet, chest protector and cup. I remember I was playing in a tournament in Minnesota and my goalie partner who had started the game took a puck to the groin and had to be taken out of the game because of how long it was taking for him to recover. A better cup can save you such pain. Bottom line is, you should be spending the most money on those 3 items. Once you do get on the ice, skating is going to be priority number one. Find either a goalie coach, another goalie who knows what theyre doing or even just look up some goalie skating drills on youtube. Focus on your footwork making it precise before you worry about speed. I would advise against trying to imitate your favorite goalie in the NHL, simply because those guys are elite and have drills specifically catered to their body positioning. So if you end up trying it, I guarantee it will not work like you see it on TV. Those are the biggest broadest tips I can give, really goalie is a position learned through years of practice. Its not something you can just try once or twice and be a star at just like anything else. So dont get discouraged and keep working and stay hungry to learn. That's what I look for in students is a desire to learn, dont lose that in your quest to become the best goalie you can become.

What a nice dog!

Hey I was wondering if you could make a quick video about how to drop into a butterfly off ice. Thanks! Keep up the great work!

Started 10 years ago when I was 40. Never skated before in my life. Addicted ever since. Don't be afraid to get out there and go for it. Protect your knees - you'll need them.

The biggest advice was talking to the parents of my local junior b team goalie. I got a lot of great starter gear off them. And they had only used them for a season or 2 before they replace it. Just my 2 bits.

always try on equipment before buying, and always try it on while wearing all surrounding equipment.

That looks like the Yough river trail in PA.

I've been playing since I was 3 so alot of things I learned happened as I could understand them lol. However, as an adult, the first thing I try to teach to newer goalies is to understand how the marks in the crease work, and show them how important understanding and adapting your angles are. (I usually don't get to chat with goalies before they commit to gear or anything, they've usually already got that figured out).

I would say number one thing as a new goalie is to not be afraid of the puck. Like others are saying definitely invest most of you money in the helmet then your chesty since that’s where most of the pucks are going to hit you. Nice to see another video from you Wayne have a great holiday with your family see you on the next video.

I’m 34 and started playing two years ago. Never skated in my life with ratty old gear. I was in a dark place in my life and someone asked me to play on net in a beer league. It really changed my life in the best way possible. I love playing win or lose!

The #1 thing for me that I learned when it came to goaltending equipment is comfort. You don’t necessarily need high end top notch gear in order to be a good goalie, but being comfortable makes a HUGE difference. From the curve on your stick, to the strapping on your pads, to the break in your glove, and even the helmet you wear, find what is the most comfortable for you. Find a local hockey store and try things on. 😊👍🏻

1 thing when I started I wish I knew I wish I knew pads just don't matter they might be run down and "bad" but the thing is if you get bad pads early you are going to be amazing if you were good with the bad bad pads just trust me don't get anymore pads until you get good in your bad pads

Hey I’m first I’m new to hockey and I’m also a goalie I am told I am exceeding expectations I watch your videos every day they help a lot I had my first shut out last game

Wayner with the new camera! LETS GO

I just started playing in December, drop in's and what's called Old Puckers out here in Wyoming, never played the butterfly style before, so learning to drop to my knees faster and attempting to learn how to slide from post to post. Since it's really rec league, are goalie skates that important? I play in regular hockey skates right now since the old puckers have a couple of regular goalies they don't let me play goalie as much as I'd like (this lets me at least skate out and play D) And I have street hockey pads, they work well enough but is the difference really that great between ice hockey pads and street hockey? (I do play on getting ice hockey pads in the summer)

Best advice I can give is stretching. When I was 11 I pulled my groin and it hurt to even stand on it. After stretching I’ve never had a similar injury

Ive been looking at the g4 and gt2 but warrior gloves have always felt small on my hand like my hand isn’t as deep into the glove as it is with other gloves is there a way to change that with the removable palm or will it always be like that

Lining up on the puck - not the opposing player. Happy holidays Wayne. Wishing you all the best in 2020. :)

Thank you, Short background I skated one time when I was 14 and didn’t do it again til these last few months at 28, moved to AZ with a lot more hockey infrastructure, I got my skates but it’s really easy to get in that trap of second guessing yourself. Just have to keep telling myself it’s never too late to start!

Amazing video Wayne! Who would have thought you can walk your dog and help out new goalies all at the same time? Happy holidays.

Wayne, your last point was my favourite, as a goalie with over 30 years between the pipes. It doesn't matter if you're good, terrible, or Carey Price...hockey, soccer, or lacrosse...one common thread is that you will be scored on. Understanding this and learning that it's part of the game, and the position, is the biggest hurdle in becoming, and continuing, as a goaltender. Not saying to give up and accept it, but understand it's going to happen and learn how to control your emotions and move on to the next shot.

I've played net since I was a kid. But I grew up playing street/deck hockey before I made the transition to ice hockey in my twenties -- and you're right: It absolutely DID require an adjustment period. The speed took getting used to, because people come at you a lot faster on skates than they do when they're merely running. The weight of the equipment was another thing I had to acclimate myself to. Although it's lighter now than it was decades ago, it's still noticeably heavier than street hockey equipment. But perhaps the thing that took the most getting used to was stopping shots along the ice. A flat puck is a lot more liable to slip under you and into the net than a round street hockey ball, and that required me to work on my butterfly technique and to be more mindful about keeping the blade of my stick square along the ice.

I’m a old man in my late thirties with some flexibility issues. What kind of used pads will allow me the most help with butterfly? I’m wanting to play drop in and low level beer leagues. Thanks for the content!

What size paddle do you use?

Hey man this vid really motivated me to actually get i to hockey (I was really discouraged after I heared I'm too old to get into hockey :/ mind you I'm 16) I've always thought goalies were the coolest guys on the ice but the "you're too old" stuff really got to me- I am working to getting into it and I have to thank you for this video man, means a lot

Miss the on ice videos! Thanks for the new video! My only question is bears, beats, or Battle Star Galactica, which one wins?

I have been a goalie for about 3 years but have played the game for 8. I am starting high school next year. What is some advice for what the coaches are really looking for?

As a 36 year old who only started playing goalie, let alone hockey 5 years ago, my tips are almost parallel to yours: 1. Don’t cheap out on equipment. I started with a $99.99 mask and got a concussion from a snap shot from the slot off the side of my head my first year. My current mask cost $800, and frankly worth every penny. Additionally my cup is now the most protective one I could find too, but I’ll forego that story… 2. Adopt a stretching and/or yoga regimen. My pregame ritual starts 2 hours before a game with a yoga DVD. It allows me to achieve the right mindset going into the game, and it promotes mobility and flexibility plus helps prevent injury and soreness. 3. Attend a camp. Frankly I was treading water my first 2 years of playing. True I had a ball hockey background and was still stopping pucks, but it finally took me attending a goalie camp before my game started improving by leaps and bounds. I’ve attended 3 in my lifetime and they turned me from an enthusiastic amateur flopping on the ice into a goalie capable of stealing games.

Don’t take it to heart when people score. That doesn’t mean that you failed it means you can improve. Practice your skating and know where you are at all times to be able to cut down that angle. Give them nothing to shoot at But take everything away from them. 😊 Most of all just enjoy playing it’s a great position

Played out my whole life, became a goalie a decade ago because no one wanted to go in net. Now I get asked to play all the time. Bought great gear that suited me but the biggest struggle I’ve had is skates. I had the old ccm vector cowling skates and my bad and skate profile made me feel very low to the ice which I loved. Now it seems everyone’s trying to get a better attack angle by going to the one piece or tuuk style skates. I decided to buy them and first thing I noticed was the height and the way the boot channel in my pad lies on my skate. I found pushing side to side and going to a butterfly so much more challenging from the cowling skates that’s I only wear them right now for pick up and wearing my cowling for beer league. I’m even thinking of going to a ccm tack or true with cowling because of how different the skate is to the Traditional cowling

I know it’s gonna be a good video if it anything on ur channel!

Hey Wayne, I am 58, haven't played goalie for about 34 yrs!! Started playing Ice again about a month or so ago. Noticed that LEAVING the stick on the ice, down and between the pads seems to be something that isn't happening. What is a good drill, or exercise I can do to KEEP THE STICK DOWN!!!

Tape! I had no idea about the clear tape used to keep velcro straps done up, socks kept up...

Ok, first off, great video as always Wayne, and I agree on all points. I’d like to expand on a couple of things. Something that I think all starting goalies need to hear, “You do NOT need pro level gear.” You don’t even need NEW gear. I would heartily recommend buying gear second hand. Obviously you want it to not be entirely broken down but. You won’t know for a while even what you want gear to be or how you want it to work. You’ll learn, but it’s all new to you, and you have to evolve context before things will make sense to you. I mean I could talk about the difference in the break angle of a catch glove, but it won’t mean anything to you yet. It will come with time, so here’s the next thing. Do NOT be afraid to experiment. Experiment with new ideas about how you play. Experiment with new ideas about gear and equipment. Particularly when I play at a pickup I will try out new things. Not too long ago, I borrowed a buddy’s gear for a game just to try it out and see if I liked it. I didn’t, but that’s a different story. And here’s the big one. If your skating is weak, that’s the thing you need to work on. Go skate ... SKATE SKATE SKATE ... In your goalie skates just at a public session. The goal here is to get you comfortable on your edges. As goalies we don’t have to be the FASTEST guy in a straight line, but being stable and secure is a VERY good idea. And here’s the BIGGEST one ... HAVE FUN !!! There are going to be games when you struggle, there are going to be bad goals. Some nights it will NOT work. No matter what, have fun with it. None of us play in the NHL (Well I doubt there are any NHLers watching this maybe I’m wrong). We are NOT getting paid to play. So the pay off of playing for us is this ... FUN ... EXERCISE ... Camaraderie ... hanging out with the guys and gals playing hockey ... HAVE FUN WITH IT !!! Cheers,

What pads should should I get I'm 5 foot 3 inches and 12 years old and thinking about being a goalie as I play emergency goalie and went in once in single a and got shutout against a team that beat my actual goalie 9 to 0 and have been told I should go in to goalie based on that performance

Wow I know everything to be a good goalie

One thing that nobody told me until years into my playing in net that I wish I'd heard from a coach: Relax. Learn to breath. When you do that, the game slows down. Think of what the shooter sees and take away from him a good look at the net, making open spaces look small. Learn shooter's tendencies and body language. And as JW 204 so correctly says: CARDIO. Skate a "herby"" or two either before or after practice. The legs are the first thing to go so work to increase oxygen flow to extremities.

I’m thinking about becoming a goalie, I’ve had a little experience about 20 years ago. What’s some good advice for starting over again? Equipment tips etc?

Leg strength, core strength and flexibility are all very important parts of goaltending. Very few of us will be as flexible as Mathieu Garon but the more we work on those things the longer we can play throughout our lifetime. Definitely agree with buying the best mask you can afford as it is hugely important for our protection... along with a good cup! :D

I am a new goalie I have probably 5 skates under my belt and sliding side to side in a butterfly seems to be the thing I need practise on the most. Everytime I go to push the side of my skate hits the ice and I have no traction. Any suggestions?

Tips for not just new goalies but people that want to get into the position. If u don’t mind used gear, SidelineSwap has some amazing deals on gear ranging from brand new to used and abused

I started out , and played for years with an "Ozzie Bucket" for head protection (a Cooper SK 2000 helmet with an HM 90 cage). Within the last 3 years, that had to be replaced with a "Standard" goalie mask. While I am now comfortable with my "new" Vaughn VM 7700 mask, it just does not have the feel or vision my "Ozzie Bucket" had. MY FIRST advice to someone wanting to be a goalie is to start off with a mask that fits comfortable and has the vision you are looking for. Some people like the straight bar cage, while others would benefit from a cat eye style (I'm TOTALLY cat eye). My second piece of advice would be finding skates that fit you comfortably. Proper size, and proper blade cut (I'm a 7/8 hollow, while other goalie friends of mine go for a 5/8 or a 3/4). Comfort on the skates is necessary, and a secure feeling in the mask is a MUST. If you do not feel safe in your mask, you wont be as effective as you could be otherwise. Everything else (from your glove and blocker, to your leg pads and everything in between) adjustable.

One of the best things about being a goaiie is all the free hockey. I'd tell new goalies that while the gear can be a big investment at first, it kinda pays itself off with all the free ice time. I play 3 or 4 times a week just filling in for stick and pucks and league games and don't have to pay a dime.

I want to play goalie and I’m going to be a freshman in high school do you have any suggestions for gear

Feel comfortable and confident in your skating. Off ice stretches so not to hurt yourself and work your way up. Dont force stretching

My advice to any new goalie is get the best helmet you can afford. Beg, or get a loan from family and get 1 step above what you are thinking. I had a lower cost brain bucket fail. The 6 teeth that were lost when it shattered were WAY more expensive and painful than the cost of the better helmet. Another thing is not to get discouraged when you let in a goal, nobody is perfect and even the best goalies give up goals. Short memory and make your adjustments to learn from the past goals. Last piece of advice is HAVE FUN! If you aren't having fun then you're doing it wrong. It is a challenging position that requires a lot of effort and physical and mental preparation, but when you make a sweet save and have the shooter give you props for robbing him blind there is no better feeling on the rink. Sorry to hear about your concussion Wayne. Feel better and keep making videos. Hope you can 1 day make it back to the net! STAY AWESOME EVERYBODY!

As a new goalie at age 40. Who never played hockey before, what I find really hard are power pushes or power slides. I feel like if i can get this going it will be the best improvement to my game as a new goalie. For now if I try to do a power push I just spin around or move about an inch to the side. So any tips a tricks you guys have found to master this move would be most welcomed. Thanks in advance. 😌

Im looking to start goaling, I dont feel like i need 1000$ pads to start and my budget wont allow it anyways. I would be buying used but senior used pads still arent cheap, what do you guys think of Intermediate pads? I would be playing in group C on my military unit team, my pad size is 32+1(5’7" 160lbs when im not drinking) cheers

I wish somebody told me not to play like someone else, for a year I had to work on getting out of a blocking style play and to a more reactive style, just do what works best for you

I’m another one of those 40 years as a goalie. I’ll just leave you with one piece of advice (based on the fact that no matter what - goals against will/do happen): After being scored on and the play is going to the other end of the rink; think through how that goal was scored and what you could have done to prevent it. I still follow this advice and it continually improves my performance.

I've been playing in goal for two years and it's a completely different experience than anything else out there. I just threw myself into the position and love it, but it can also be ROUGH. The hardest part of being a goalie is during those terrible games where the score is in the double digits against you, you'll feel a step behind the play and nothing is going right and nothing you do seems to matter and you'll just have to stand out there and accept it because unlike being a skater you can't hide on the bench or in your line. When you have these games you can be one of two goalies, you can be the one that loses it and busts up their equipment yelling (which is a sure fire way to develop a bad reputation and lose out on subbing) or accept it, shake it off and learn from what happened. With that said you can provide the best possible analysis for why things may be going off the rails for your team so keep your eyes open and remember what didn't work so you can relay this info to your team between periods.

I’m 6’1 ~190lbs and a size 13 shoe. I’m really struggling with sizing, any suggestions?

When you said “share it with the wannabe goalie on your team” I was like, ‘THAT’S ME!’ Lol, the position was just too expensive to play but I’ve got so much respect for all of y’all between the pipes

My son, 5 and a half, has been playing for just over a year but is adamant on playing goalie. What would be a good age to start considering he is growing and might grow out of his equipment fast.

Does anyone have any tips or self-experience of going from being a field hockey goalie to an ice hockey goalie? I've been a field hockey gk for 12 years and am thinking of converting to the ice :)

Definitely stretch. Always stretch before and after a game.

Anyone else smile when Wayne says You are totally awesome????

I’ve been a goalie for 30 years...here are my top 5 list for new goalies. 1. Skating is key, learn to use your edges and skate all the time, this will only make your foot work better, public skating, shinny and games...3-5 days a week if you can. 2. Skates are key for a goalie...I wear mine 2 size smaller than show size. Make sure your heal doesn’t lift, this will rob you of power for your backward toe push. 3. Nothing wrong with getting good used goalie gear, the equipment is already broken in and you can try different models, styles before you decide what you like. 4. Work on catching with your trapper, buy an Indian rubber ball “lacrosse ball” use it against a wall and catch everyday if you can, this is a great drill when your alone. 5. Be one with the puck, try not to look at the player or stick work. Stay focus on the release point and react, then trying to anticipate the shot or pass. Have fun, and yes its ok to sleep with your new goalie gear...just make sure you clean it first and air it out...the hockey bag smell is not a good one. LOL

One thing thats going to gappen to you when you first play is that you are going to flinch from the puck ( move away from the puck ) it's human reaction ( obviously ) but once you get hit a few times you'll get used to it.

When looking to buy new pads or a new stick, bring your skates so you see how it feels at proper height :)

I saw a lot of people add this already, but yeah, a lot of people don't appreciate the goalie. I'm not talking about just teammates, but fans, friends, and family as well. A goalie loses an average of 8 pounds per game, supposedly (I assume at high levels, like AAA and juniors and beyond and mostly through water loss). That doesn't sound easy to me. I could probably go on for days about this, but whatever. Everyone else said it better than me anyway! :)

As a longtime VERY amateur Goalie, here are some thoughts: You have to be the responsible one, whether it's Shinny or League Hockey at any level. What I mean is that you are responsible for more than stopping pucks. You need to be at the arena with time to spare, your gear checked beforehand for problems. You need to be positive, regardless of what mood you're in when you arrive at the arena. When you've let in a goal, get up immediately, don't sit on the ice sulking. Never (vocally) blame your Defense for the goal, they know when they've messed up and you don't need to demoralize them further. Instead say something like: "let's get that one back, boys!" Never give up. No matter what the score, play every shot as if you're playing Overtime for the Stanley Cup. Finally, have fun and leave each game behind at the rink. After all, you've invested in gear for which there is absolutely no other use, so enjoy the experience! Cheers!

When I first started it was impossible to slide when I pushed off my skate I went nowhere now a year later sliding feels natural just know keep on trying even though ur going nowhere eventually you’ll get it

goalie what is the difference between street goalie pads gloves vs normal

Say goodbye to your knees. I also love the part about baseball catches and never turning your back to the puck, cause it’s an easy way to find out there is no padding on the back side lol.

I wish someone told me that players that never played goalie before, always try to tell you how to be a goalie.

I'm just wondering if anybody has any good workout routine tips for me I'm trying to get back to it after not playing for a couple years and cant get a good workout going.

Hey i just started about a month ago, im 12 joined a pewee league but i had a bad game, how do i recover from that? its stressful

New goalies, you need to practice your skating as much as any player, because if you can't skate then you'll constantly be out of position. Your ability to move around and through the crease with speed and precision is what lets you centre on the puck, telescope out to cut down angles, and recover for a rebound or one-timer. Do not underestimate what sharp skates and good skating can do for your game.