5 Best Hockey Goaltending Drills

The 5 best hockey goaltending drills assist in training a goalie to allow little to no scoring for the other team. The other team will be hard pressed to win without scoring against the goalie! Most of these drills require assistance from the other team players, adding to the teamwork factor.

1. Standing quick line. Topping the list of best hockey goaltending drills is the standing quick line. This team oriented goalie practice involves fast action and improves a goalie's reaction time. The entire team makes a line at the defensive line facing the goalie. Each has a puck. Starting at one end, each player smacks the puck towards the goal. The first few drills, the players go in order down the line firing a puck at the goalie every five seconds. As the drill progresses, the time speeds up to every three seconds, then two seconds. For more advanced players, the line of players fires the puck randomly, often at the same time. The goalie must defend off as many pucks as possible.
2. All Sides. One of the best hockey goaltending drills involves a goalie and two additional players. As the goalie prepares to defend, each of the additional players begins to skate back and forth in front of the goal armed with a puck. The players fire at the goalie at random. With two pucks coming at once, the goalie must be prepared to defend each side of the goal.
3. Firing line. On the list of best hockey goaltending drills comes the rapid fire activity that assists not only the goalie, but the entire teams skills. As the goalie defends the goal, the additional players make a line, one behind the other down the ice. As the drill begins, the first player skates towards the goalie and attempts to score. Immediately behind him is the next player with the same intention. The goalie is faced with continuous goal shots to defend.
   
4. Body push. The next entry on the list of best hockey goaltending drills involves the goalie learning to move his body in the appropriate ways. The goalie stands in front of the goal and first turns his body to the right to block a shot. They then alternate to the left to block a head on shot. Pushing the hip out and blocking with the body and legs becomes the goal of the drill.
5. Fast Feet. The final entry on the list of best hockey goaltending drills is the standing foot shuffle. The goalie stands in front of the goal and quickly slides his feet forward and back in small motions. This increases balance and strengthens the leg muscles needed for the needed squatting position.