By Eli Wilson /
The Shuffle
Why and When to use the Shuffle:
Unlike the T-push, the shuffle does not allow the goalie to fully explode towards the puck.
However, there are certain situations during a hockey game when the goalie wants to be more in control of his movements and speed. The shuffle should be used for situations that require a series of small position adjustments. When a player moves sideways in the defensive zone with the puck at a moderate or slow speed, the shuffle should be used for two reasons. First, the goalie wants to make sure that he keeps his full body square to the puck, which the T-push will not allow him to do. Second, when making a minor positional adjustment the goalie does not want to waste time moving his feet into a “T” position, then push and glide, and finally stop. If he attempts that he will find himself behind the play. While eliminating a good explosion, the shuffle allows the goalie to adjust his position quickly with very little movement.
The Shuffle Motion:
Unlike the T-push, when shuffling the goalie keeps both her toes facing the puck. With her back foot, the goalie simply digs into the ice with her entire blade pulling her body towards the puck.
This seems easy to do but two key points are essential in order to execute a good shuffle. The goalie must finish her push with her toe. It is important that she pushes through her entire skate blade and the last thing that should leave the ice is her toe. This allows for more power as the goalie explodes with the push extending right through her ankle. The goalie has to make sure that her feet are not too far apart. As you might remember, in a previous article, I mentioned that your power comes from under your body. If her pushing foot is too far on her side the goalie will not get a good explosive push. It is important that while in her stance the goalie has her feet in a position slightly wider than her shoulders. Often in order to follow the play, the goalie will have to execute many quick shuffles in a row. To do this properly it is important that the goalie recovers well in between every shuffle. She has to move her rear foot quickly back to the initial position and get ready for the next push.
The C-Cut
When and why to Use the C-Cut:
While the shuffle is used for quick side-to-side adjustments, the C-cut should be used when quick up or down adjustments are necessary. Just like with the shuffle, the C-cut does not allow the goalie to explode towards the puck. It does however allow the goalie to stay square to the play and does not necessitate too many movements. There are two particular situations that the goalie should think about using the C-cut. He will want to use it when he misjudges a play and finds himself too far out or too deep in his crease. In those instances, the goalie has to readjust his position with a forward or backward C-cut. The C-cut should also be used when facing a breakaway. As the goalie challenges the shooter outside his crease he should use one or two C-cuts to initiate his retreat towards the crease.
The C-Cut Motion:
In my last article, I familiarized you with the C-cut motion. As mentioned in my article about the T-push, all the goalie has to do is to execute a “C” figure with her feet. In the case of small position adjustments, the cut will not be as pronounced as when the goalie prepares herself for the T-push. When readjusting her position, the goalie should dig into the ice with her heel and drive her toe foward (if she wants to go forward), or her heel back (if she wants to go back). It is a simple and quick movement. Depending of where she wants to go, there are two ways that goalies can execute a C-cut. The goalie can either use one or two feet to do her C-cut. Usually she should use her two skates when she wants to go straight up or straight back. She should use one foot (the back skate) when she has to go sideways at the same time as she has to forward or back. All the goalie has to do in order to stop is to dig into the ice with her two feet.
Keep training hard and check back next issue for more of my goalie tips and techniques.
And remember… Keep your eye on the puck!
Eli Wilson is the goaltending coach of the Ottawa Senators and is also president of Calgary’s World Pro Goaltending school. |
