Video of proper technique

Note: The glove positioning descriptions that follow are based on the face of a clock facing the shooter.

Four common glove positions:

• 2 or 3 o’clock hand position with palm facing outwards (traditional)

• 2 or 3 o’clock hand position with palm facing inwards

• 12 o’clock hand position with palm facing upwards

• 12 o’clock hand position with palm facing downwards

Proper Glove Positioning (Traditional 2 or 3 o’clock position):

• Eliminates wasted movement and time, which leads to a calm glove

• Calm glove makes it easier to track and catch puck

Beliefs:

• When it comes to the use of our hands, tracking the puck effectively comes first and foremost. Goaltenders that do not track the puck all the way in significantly reduce their chances of making the save and/or controlling the rebound.

• It is important to stay big and use as little wasted movement as possible (especially at higher levels of hockey).

• When in stance, a goaltender’s hands should be:

o Out in front of the body to take away aerial angle

o Outside of the pads and chest to provide good width and prevent double coverage

o The catching glove should be held in the traditional 2 or 3 o’clock hand position to eliminate wasted movement, which creates a calm glove

• It is important to develop the skill of using your shoulder to make saves on shots above the cuff of your glove (future section on web site).

Tendencies:

• Goaltenders that hold their glove in the 12 o’clock position usually end up rotating their hand to 3 o’clock to make the save (wasted time and movement!).

• Some goaltenders have elbows tight to body and glove back causing goaltender to rotate body to track puck, thus opening up net.

• Many goaltenders will not lead with stick and gloves. This leads to slow, wasted movement on way to desired location as well upon arrival at desired location.