Purpose:

To maximize net coverage and ability to move while maintaining balance.

 

Body Position:

• Feet – Little more than shoulder’s width apart, slight ankle bend with weight slightly on inside edges of the balls of feet.
• Skates – Parallel to each other.
• Knees – Push knees forward creating a slight bend which applies pressure to the balls of the feet. (Similar to a golf stance or batting stance.)
• Chest – Up so shooter can see the logo of the jersey.  (Allows balance to be slightly forward.  Increases net coverage.  Helps tracking high shots.)
• Shoulders - Parallel to each other and level to maintain proper chest positioning.
• Gloves should be out in front of the body creating good balance.  They should also be placed just outside the width of the goaltender’s chest with elbows slightly outside of the body creating no double coverage (See specific glove sheet).
• Stick – 8 to 12 inches in front of skates resting on a slight angle allowing for proper cushion on shots at stick and coverage of five hole.  Never hold stick perpendicular to the ice.

Benefits of a Proper Stance:

•  Allows goaltender to be balanced and under control.
•  Proper balance limits excessive and/or wasted movement.
•  Leads to more efficient movement and save selection.

Tendencies:

• Goaltenders have feet too wide.  This limits movement and save selection.
• Goaltenders have feet too narrow.  This limits power in movement, lessens lower net coverage, and decreases balance.
• Poor glove positioning leads to wasted movement and poor puck control (See specific glove sheet).
• Chest bent over creates poor balance and trouble tracking high shots.