Are you a goalie who’s been struggling to master the art of blocker saves? You’re not alone! Many aspiring goalies make the same mistake, which can lead to missed saves and frustration on the ice. In this article, we’ll explore the most common mistake goalies make when learning to make blocker saves, and provide you with expert tips on how to avoid it. So, gear up and let’s dive into the world of blocker saves!
Understanding the Basics of Blocker Saves
The Mechanics of a Blocker Save
Positioning of the Blocker
The positioning of the blocker is crucial in executing a successful blocker save. Goalies must place the blocker in the optimal position to make a save. The positioning should be based on the location of the puck and the direction of the shot. A goalie must anticipate the direction of the shot and position the blocker accordingly. It is essential to keep the blocker close to the body to avoid being hit by the puck or the opposing player.
Movement of the Body
The movement of the body is equally important in executing a blocker save. Goalies must move their bodies in a way that allows them to make a save while still maintaining balance and control over their position. Moving the body too much can result in losing control of the position, which can lead to a goal. It is important to move the body quickly and efficiently to react to the shot.
Follow-Through
The follow-through is the final step in executing a blocker save. After making contact with the puck, the goalie must follow through with the blocker to ensure the puck is secured. A proper follow-through ensures that the puck is not deflected back into the net. The follow-through should be controlled and deliberate, allowing the goalie to secure the puck and maintain control of the position.
Types of Blocker Saves
When it comes to blocker saves, there are three main types that goalies should be familiar with: the forehand save, the backhand save, and the glove save.
- Forehand Save: This type of save is typically executed with the dominant hand and involves making contact with the puck using the blade of the goalie’s stick. The goalie should aim to direct the puck to the corner of the net, away from the middle of the goal.
- Backhand Save: The backhand save is executed with the opposite hand of the dominant one. In this case, the goalie uses the blade of the stick to make contact with the puck and direct it towards the corner of the net.
- Glove Save: The glove save is performed by using the glove hand to make contact with the puck and direct it towards the corner of the net. This type of save is usually used when the goalie is already in position and the puck is coming towards them at a high velocity.
It’s important for goalies to master these different types of blocker saves, as they will be called upon to use them in a variety of situations during a game. Understanding the proper technique for each type of save will help the goalie make the most effective save possible and keep the puck out of the net.
Common Mistakes Goalies Make When Learning Blocker Saves
Incorrect Grip on the Blocker
A crucial aspect of mastering the art of blocker saves is having a proper grip on the blocker. An incorrect grip can lead to a loss of control and reduce the goalie’s ability to make saves. Two common mistakes goalies make when holding the blocker are:
Tight Grip
A tight grip on the blocker can cause the goalie’s hands to become stiff and rigid, reducing their ability to move the blocker quickly and react to shots. This tight grip can also lead to fatigue and cramping in the hands, making it difficult to maintain control throughout the game.
To avoid a tight grip, goalies should focus on relaxing their hands and allowing their fingers to wrap around the blocker in a natural position. This will provide better control and allow for quicker movements, giving the goalie an advantage when making saves.
Loose Grip
On the other hand, a loose grip on the blocker can cause the goalie to lose control of the blocker, especially during fast-paced play or when reacting to sudden movements. A loose grip can also lead to the blocker slipping out of the goalie’s hands, leaving them unprepared to make a save.
To avoid a loose grip, goalies should ensure that their fingers are firmly placed on the blocker, with their thumbs positioned for maximum control. This will provide the necessary stability and enable the goalie to maintain control during intense gameplay.
Overall, having a proper grip on the blocker is essential for a goalie’s success in making blocker saves. Avoiding both tight and loose grips will help the goalie maintain control, react quickly to shots, and ultimately improve their performance on the ice.
Failure to Follow Through
When attempting blocker saves, one of the most common mistakes goalies make is failure to follow through on their movements. This can lead to a lack of extension and failure to keep the body square to the shooter.
Lack of Extension
One of the main reasons goalies fail to make successful blocker saves is due to a lack of extension. Extension refers to the ability to extend the arms and legs fully, which allows the goalie to cover more area and make more precise movements. Goalies who lack extension may find that they are unable to reach the puck or get into proper position to make the save.
To avoid this mistake, goalies should focus on extending their arms and legs fully during blocker saves. This can be achieved by focusing on proper form and technique, including keeping the arms straight and the legs bent at a 90-degree angle. Additionally, goalies should work on developing their core strength and flexibility, as these are key components of effective extension.
Failure to Keep the Body Square to the Shooter
Another common mistake goalies make when attempting blocker saves is failure to keep the body square to the shooter. This means that the goalie’s body is not positioned at a 90-degree angle to the shooter, which can make it difficult to get in front of the puck and make the save.
To avoid this mistake, goalies should focus on keeping their body square to the shooter at all times. This means positioning the body so that the feet, hips, and shoulders are all facing the shooter. Additionally, goalies should work on developing their balance and footwork, as these are key components of effective positioning.
Overall, failure to follow through on blocker saves can lead to a lack of extension and failure to keep the body square to the shooter. By focusing on proper form and technique, and working on developing their core strength, flexibility, balance, and footwork, goalies can avoid these common mistakes and improve their blocker save skills.
Poor Positioning of the Body
When it comes to making blocker saves, poor positioning of the body can be a major hindrance for goalies. There are two common mistakes that goalies make when it comes to body positioning:
- Failure to Keep the Body Square to the Shooter
When a shooter is approaching the net, it is important for the goalie to keep their body square to the shooter. This means that the goalie should face the shooter directly, with their shoulders aligned with the shooter’s hips. By keeping the body square, the goalie is better able to judge the angle of the shot and make a save.
- Failure to Stay on the Post
Another common mistake that goalies make is failing to stay on the post. When a shooter is approaching the net, the goalie should remain in their crouched position and stay on the post until the last possible moment. This allows the goalie to better read the play and make a save if necessary. If the goalie comes off the post too early, they may be caught out of position and unable to make a save.
Overall, it is important for goalies to pay close attention to their body positioning when making blocker saves. By keeping the body square to the shooter and staying on the post, goalies can improve their chances of making a save and keeping the puck out of the net.
Inconsistent Technique
One of the most common mistakes goalies make when learning blocker saves is varying their techniques for different shots. This can lead to inconsistency in their performance and difficulty in mastering the technique. Another issue is a lack of repetition, which can result in a lack of muscle memory and proper form. It is important for goalies to focus on consistent technique and repetition in order to become proficient in blocker saves.
How to Correct These Mistakes
Developing a Proper Grip on the Blocker
Developing a proper grip on the blocker is essential for goalies to make accurate and efficient blocker saves. Here are some tips to help goalies improve their grip and develop better hand-eye coordination:
- Wrist and Forearm Strengthening Exercises: Goalies should incorporate wrist and forearm strengthening exercises into their training regimen. These exercises help to improve the muscles that control the movements of the hands and wrists, which are crucial for making accurate blocker saves. Some examples of wrist and forearm strengthening exercises include wrist curls, reverse curls, and squeezing a stress ball.
- Proper Hand Positioning: Goalies must learn to position their hands correctly on the blocker to make efficient and effective saves. The hands should be placed in a way that allows for maximum coverage of the net and allows the goalie to make quick and precise movements. Proper hand positioning also helps to reduce the risk of injury to the hands and wrists.
Overall, developing a proper grip on the blocker requires both physical strength and mental focus. By incorporating wrist and forearm strengthening exercises into their training routine and focusing on proper hand positioning, goalies can improve their blocker saves and increase their chances of success on the ice.
Improving Follow-Through
Proper Extension
Proper extension is crucial for a goalie to make a successful blocker save. It involves extending the arm outwards and away from the body while keeping the arm straight. This technique allows the goalie to cover a larger area of the net and also helps in gaining control over the rebound. However, many goalies tend to make the mistake of extending their arm too early or too late, which can result in a weak save or no save at all. Therefore, it is essential to practice proper extension and learn to time it correctly based on the position of the shooter and the trajectory of the puck.
Maintaining Body Square to the Shooter
Another common mistake that goalies make is not maintaining their body square to the shooter during a blocker save. This can result in the goalie’s body getting in the way of the puck, leading to a rebound or an easy shot on goal. To avoid this mistake, goalies need to focus on keeping their body square to the shooter at all times. This involves using the leg and body positioning to maintain balance and stability while extending the arm towards the puck. It is also essential to keep the eyes focused on the puck throughout the save to anticipate its trajectory and make the necessary adjustments.
By focusing on improving follow-through, goalies can increase their chances of making successful blocker saves and ultimately improve their overall performance in the net.
Developing Proper Body Positioning
Developing proper body positioning is crucial for goalies when making blocker saves. Proper stance and body control are essential to ensure that goalies can make effective saves while remaining in control of their movements. Here are some key points to consider when developing proper body positioning for blocker saves:
- Proper Stance: A proper stance for a goalie involves spreading their legs shoulder-width apart, bending their knees slightly, and keeping their weight balanced evenly on both feet. This stance provides a stable base for the goalie to move and react quickly in any direction. The goalie should also keep their weight forward on their toes, which allows them to explode quickly into a save if necessary.
- Body Control: Body control is critical for goalies when making blocker saves. Goalies need to maintain good posture and keep their arms and hands ready to make a save. They should avoid leaning forward or backward, as this can make it difficult to react quickly to a shot. Instead, goalies should keep their body upright and their eyes focused on the puck at all times.
- Maintaining Balance: Maintaining balance is essential for goalies when making blocker saves. Goalies should avoid lunging or reaching for the puck, as this can throw off their balance and make it difficult to make a save. Instead, goalies should use their body positioning to stay in front of the puck and make a save using their blocker.
- Proper Arm Positioning: Proper arm positioning is also essential for goalies when making blocker saves. Goalies should keep their arms extended and ready to make a save, but they should avoid overextending their arms, which can cause them to lose their balance. Goalies should also keep their hands close together on their blocker, which allows them to make quick and accurate saves.
Overall, developing proper body positioning is critical for goalies when making blocker saves. By focusing on proper stance, body control, balance, and arm positioning, goalies can improve their ability to make effective saves and remain in control of their movements on the ice.
Developing Consistent Technique
Repetition
Repetition is a key factor in developing a consistent technique for blocker saves. By repeatedly practicing the same technique, goalies can develop muscle memory and improve their reaction time. This means that when they are in a game situation, they can make quick decisions and react without having to consciously think about what to do. It is important to practice the same technique consistently to ensure that it becomes second nature.
Consistency in Practice
Consistency in practice is also crucial in developing a consistent technique for blocker saves. Goalies should aim to practice the same technique every time they practice, and make any necessary adjustments gradually over time. This will help to prevent the development of bad habits and ensure that the technique is ingrained in their muscle memory. It is also important to practice under game-like conditions, such as with a defense or opposition team, to prepare for real-life situations.
Tips for Improving Blocker Saves
- Proper Breathing Techniques
- Focus on taking deep, controlled breaths before making a save.
- Avoid holding your breath or taking shallow breaths, as this can lead to muscle tension and reduced focus.
- Incorporate diaphragmatic breathing exercises to improve lung capacity and oxygen flow.
- Focus on Footwork
- Work on developing quick and efficient footwork to get into proper position for making saves.
- Practice moving laterally and pivoting on your skates to improve your agility and balance.
- Focus on explosiveness off the ice to quickly transition from a standstill to a sprint.
- Developing Quick Reflexes
- Practice reaction drills to improve your hand-eye coordination and reflexes.
- Use pucks of various sizes and speeds to train your hands to react quickly to different situations.
- Work on developing a consistent hand positioning and release point to improve accuracy and speed of your saves.
FAQs
1. What is a blocker save?
A blocker save is a technique used by goalies to stop shots from the upper half of the ice by using their blocker, which is a piece of equipment worn on the right hand. The goalie uses their blocker to deflect the puck away from the net.
2. What are some common mistakes goalies make when learning to make blocker saves?
One common mistake goalies make when learning to make blocker saves is not keeping their arms close to their body. This can cause them to be out of position and unable to make the save. Another mistake is not using the proper grip on the blocker, which can lead to a loss of control during the save. Additionally, not keeping the blocker in front of the body can result in the puck getting past the goalie.
3. How can goalies avoid these mistakes when learning to make blocker saves?
To avoid these mistakes, goalies should focus on keeping their arms close to their body and maintaining proper form during the save. They should also ensure that they are using the correct grip on their blocker and keeping it in front of their body at all times. Practicing proper technique and receiving feedback from a coach or experienced goalie can also help goalies avoid these common mistakes.
4. What are some drills goalies can do to improve their blocker saves?
Goalies can practice blocker saves by performing drills that focus on hand-eye coordination, such as catching and rebounding shots. They can also practice making saves on breakaways and in game-like situations to get a feel for the pressure and speed of the game. Additionally, goalies can work on their footwork and mobility to improve their ability to move quickly and efficiently in the crease.
5. How important is proper equipment when making blocker saves?
Proper equipment is crucial when making blocker saves. Goalies must ensure that their blocker is the correct size and fit for their hand, and that it is in good condition. They should also wear the appropriate padding and protection to minimize the risk of injury during the save. Using the wrong equipment can lead to decreased control and an increased risk of injury, so it is important for goalies to invest in quality gear.
