Ice Hockey Goalie Drills

Ice hockey goalie drills are a great way to help your goalies practice their skills before a game. Goalies have a very unique job, and because they are the team’s last line of defense against a shot from the opposing team, they need to have adequate training before being sent out onto the ice. Try these hockey drills to make it easier for your goalies to defend your team’s net.

The W-Drill

This is one of the most popular ice hockey goalie drills among coaches. It helps goalies to improve speed, reaction time, and dexterity.

Imagine that there is a W written on the ice in front of the goal, with the bottom at the goal posts and the top halfway between the goal and the red faceoff dots. Stand by the left post facing sideways with your glove hand out. Skate halfway out to the left red dot and then backwards to the left goal post. Skate to the point and then back to the right goal post. Skate halfway out to the right red dot and then backwards to the left goal post. Skate to the point and then back to the left goal post.

The Y-Drill

The Y-Drill is a slight variation of the W-Drill. By changing the shape of the practice area, you can help your goalie work on a different range of defense.

Imagine that there is a Y written on the ice in front of the goal, with its two tips at the goal posts. Start at the point of the Y and then skate backwards to the corner, and then shuffle sideways to the left goal post. Skate up to the point of the Y and then skate backwards to the corner of it. Shuffle sideways to the right goal post and then skate up to the point and stop.

The Goalie’s Cross

This drill works best when it’s just done with the goalie and no other players. It’s a great chance to give your goalie your undivided attention while other players work on standard drills.

Imagine that there is a big plus sign at any of the faceoff circles. Stand at one end of the circle and face the other end. Push off once or twice and glide forward until you reach the center. With your left foot, stop your forward motion; then shuffle sideways to the right edge of the circle. Shuffle back to the center, then glide forwards again.

Once you reach the circle, stop, push off again, and glide backwards. After reaching the center, shuffle sideways to the left edge of the circle. Shuffle back to the center, then glide backwards until you get to the opposite side of the circle.

These great hockey goalie drills mimic the movements that a goalie makes during an actual game. Start out doing them slowly and neatly, and then move up to doing faster speeds. Your goalie will be blazing across the ice before you know it.

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