• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Goalies tricks to concentrate/relax before tournament

Rhezuss

Diamond Member
Hey there goalies!

From 6th to 10th of april there's the local Chamber of Commerce ice hockey tournament and it's gonna be my second time I participate to this tournament. First game is tonight and I'm excited since we have a much better team than last year...MUCH better.

So, what do you do before the game to just concentrate and relax so you are at your max potential? I sincerely have no idea what to do to just "get in the game" and don't think about anything else...i'm that absent-minded heheh.

Whats your tricks in and out of the ice?

Thanks for your tips!
 
If you relax than you're lethargic

Goalies should be on edge at all times. I recommend a healthy ratio of crack and red bull
 
Are you actually anxious/nervous before and during the game?

Don't really have any advice, though. In all my years of dealing with goalie (soccer) pressure, I've never really been very nervous.

edit: I guess the only thing I would say is that you should settle into a routine. Doesn't matter what it is.
 
You don't need to do anything crazy. You look at the NHL and the top goalies are all laid back and approachable, right up until the start of the game. The days of nutty goalies like Roy and Belfour are over.
 
You don't need to do anything crazy. You look at the NHL and the top goalies are all laid back and approachable, right up until the start of the game. The days of nutty goalies like Roy and Belfour are over.

Roy wasn't THAT nuts. He only punched through a door once to my knowledge... :whiste:
 
It's not that i'm nervous it's just that I want to stay "in the game" from start to finish even though i've giving a bad goal or somthing like that hahah.

But yeah, I'll keep it simple.
 
Whats your tricks in and out of the ice?

Thanks for your tips!

I don't really have any tips, since I played goalie from the time I was 5 (6?) so I've only ever known sports with that particular type of pressure.

The only thing I can think of is that I always calmed down once I was out there roughing up the crease.
 
For me, the best thing to do before a sporting match is to visualize situations I'm going to encounter. I know it sounds dumb/cliche, but it really helps me focus and get mentally prepared.
 
I play dumb music, I'm talking Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, Beiber to let my mind sort of wonder so when it comes to game time I'm not so tight, you should let your reactions and all that practice come to life during the game.
 
Well finally we won our first game 6-3...it's cool but what's not that cool is that even they scored 3 gaols in 5 shots...

Damn it's hard to be in the game with only 5 shots...but we won because the five guys in front of me did an awesome job.

Next game tomorrow and it's gonna be awesome!
 
As a goalie, I would picture myself in the basic positions and making saves. Even after 10+yrs, I still get butterflies
 
I always make sure I have a good warm up (stretching really helps me clear my head and relax).

While playing I have a particular song that plays over and over in my head while I play.

ps. Roller Hockey Season start in 2 weeks 🙂

Cheers,
Aquaman
 
I always make sure I have a good warm up (stretching really helps me clear my head and relax).

While playing I have a particular song that plays over and over in my head while I play.

ps. Roller Hockey Season start in 2 weeks 🙂

Cheers,
Aquaman

After playing roller, then ice hockey over the years, I find that I can track the puck in roller hockey so much better because it doesn't travel as fast and movement on land is easier than ice.
 
My biggest problem is my butterfly. When i go down I don't stick my knees together so I have a 6-8 inches gap between them...easy puck access...

I need to find a way to instinctively stick my knees together when butterflying and be more "hermetic" in taht position...

Other thing, I have a hard time positionning myself, and again being more "hermetic", when sticking on a post. I tend to let a space gap between my pad and the post.

But this will come in time since it's only my second year of goaltending so I can oinly get better.
 
No tricks or routines really. Honestly - you'll have to find your own routine that helps prepare you for the game.

I just go to the rink, put on everything but the chest protector / catcher / blocker / jersey / helmet, do a little bit of stretching, and then finish getting geared up to go play.

My style is old school Martin Brodeur - zero to no butterfly, very fast catcher, and trying to stay square to the puck. The only crutch I have is I can't seem to extend my left leg out rather I'll try to stop the puck with my catcher [was due to spraining my ankle a few years back the last time I extended my leg].
 
Last edited:
I always found that focusing mentally on the puck would help me immensely. You want to attack the puck like a dog goes after a ball. When you're in the zone, you don't think about anything, you don't even react, you seem to know exactly what is going to happen as it's happening, almost like clairvoyance. It almost becomes choreographed, and you're just part of the performance. At least on the good nights.

On the bad ones, just hide in the net, cause you're gonna get shelled anyway.
 
Roy wasn't THAT nuts. He only punched through a door once to my knowledge... :whiste:

Plus the whole not talking to reporters on game day, talking to himself (or the goal posts depending on who you ask) during games, barking orders at players on the ice (but not actually talking to them before or during games).

FWIW, I don't see this as a goalie thing per se even though I've heard of other superstitious goalies before, I simply think Roy was (well is) a lunatic....and one of my favorite players of all time. You're allowed to be odd if you're that good.
 
My biggest problem is my butterfly. When i go down I don't stick my knees together so I have a 6-8 inches gap between them...easy puck access...

I need to find a way to instinctively stick my knees together when butterflying and be more "hermetic" in taht position...

Other thing, I have a hard time positionning myself, and again being more "hermetic", when sticking on a post. I tend to let a space gap between my pad and the post.

But this will come in time since it's only my second year of goaltending so I can oinly get better.

Most goalies have a gap in the butterfly, just keep you stick in front of it. If you're a good skater try to be aggressive and challenge shots from the top of the crease.

Where were you beaten? 5 hole?
 
Most goalies have a gap in the butterfly, just keep you stick in front of it. If you're a good skater try to be aggressive and challenge shots from the top of the crease.

Where were you beaten? 5 hole?

One between my knees
One just brushed my mitt and got diverted in the net (bad positioning on my part)
One there was lots of people on the puck 2 feets in front of me and I lost sight of it and bam in the net heheh

I think I need to be more agressive and chappenge the puck more, i'll try that tonight. More confident and agressive should work hahah!
 
Back
Top