Monday, February 18, 2008

Shuffle vs 'T' Push

This past week I was working with a team and found both goalies using 'T' pushes to make short lateral moves. I'm speaking of short, follow the play, moves of 6" to 10", not corner to corner, or post to opposite side plays. Basic movement at the top of the crease.

On short moves to 'square up' they would turn one foot (the lead foot - not the push foot) and then quickly 'snap' it back into place when they got where they were going. Picture this if the play is moving across the top of the crease from one side to the other, if the goalie uses the 'T' and not the shuffle, they will be 'all over the place' and have very little control or speed to keep up with the play.

These goalies were allowing a lot of low shots in and they were having problems controling rebounds. This is ALL a result of 'T' pushes instead of shuffles. I do not allow any goalie I work with to use the 'T' push for this kind of movement. In fact we havent taught this in about 15 years at our schools, yet there are still many 'old school' goalies who will use this move and still teach it to kids - these people are NOT goalie instructors (or they SHOULDN'T be) and are doing the kids they work with a real dis service. Our certified goalie instructors are always on the lookout for this, and won't allow it to happen!

The problem with using a 'T' instead of a simple 'toes ahead' shuffle is the body control and the ability to drop down from this position. Try it while you read this! Stand up and turn one foot to form the 'T' position, now try to drive both knees down to the floor in a butterfly type of positon. One of 2 things has to happen for this to work. 1. You blow your knee out and need surgery to fix the damage - not a good option..... or 2. Your brain will force your foot to pop back into the 'toes forward' position before you fall down. The time it takes to 'rearrange' your foot position, is the time it takes to stop many goals.

There is also the inability to close the 5 hole while standing up, it is impossible to bring the pads together when one leg is turned, so again, a major problem is created by using an improper movement.

The 'T' push is one of the hardest habits to break in a goalie. I cringe everytime I see a young goalie out on the ice working with a coach and I see the coach show this technique!! I even know if a couple of schools that still make the kids practice the 'T' glide around the entire rink for extended periods of time. Great, engrain the wrong technique even more into their brains and make it even harder to correct!!!!

So always teach or practice using shuffle steps to be square to the play, never use a 'T' push for this kind of movement.

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