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Off-Ice Training Tips for Goalies with Kevin Reiter

By Minnesota Hockey, 08/03/15, 1:45PM CDT

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Over the past few months, more than 30 goalies from Minnesota have had the opportunity to participate in a national development camp or national goaltending camp. In addition, 50 more Minnesota goalies will train together at the 2015 Dave Peterson Goalie Camp this August.

These camps provide goalies with numerous opportunities to develop their game on and off the ice.  Unfortunately, they are also limited on the number and age of goalies that can participate.

To provide goalies of all ages with tips on what they should be doing to develop their game this summer, we caught up with current goaltending coach for the U.S. National Team Development Program and coordinator for the Warren Strelow National Team Goaltending Camp, Kevin Reiter.

Minnesota Hockey: How important is off-ice training for goalies?

Kevin Reiter: Off-ice training is extremely important for goalies at any age but most specifically for goalies at the higher levels.   At the younger levels, it helps to develop balance, spatial awareness and coordination.   As goaltenders mature, it aides in injury prevention, strength and speed.  

Off-ice training also entails playing other sports in order to develop different muscles and work on other skills.  Recently, new off-ice training methods like yoga, pilates and vision training have become popular for all ages.   

MH: What types of differences exist between off-ice training for goalies compared to skaters?

KR: There are similarities and differences throughout the training process for each.  The biggest similarity is in developing a complete athlete. Goalie specific training is different from forwards and defensemen largely because goalie specific movement differs from players' skating movements.  Explosiveness for a goalie is key and that stresses the importance of goalie specific training.  

In addition to team sessions, goalies need to do extra work off the ice.  This extra work needs to incorporate more balance, coordination, flexibility, hand-eye coordination and agility work. 

MH: What are a few dry land drills or exercises that young goalies can use to improve their skills?

KR: Goalies can use dry land training in a variety of ways to improve their skills.  Like I mentioned, any exercises that focus on agility, flexibility and hand-eye coordination are best.  The use of a tennis ball and reaction ball drills improve hand-eye coordination dramatically.  Slide boards help build power and improve lateral movement.  Agility ladders help develop and enhance foot speed.  I encourage goalies of all ages to use Bosu balls to improve their balance.  Also, participating in other sports can help build other muscles that are not traditionally used in the sport of ice hockey.

MH: What tips do you have for youth coaches on how to manage their goalies during dry land sessions?

KR: Coaches should make sure that goalies are always going 100% during dry land sessions.  They should make sure they are as focused during dry land as they are on the ice because dry land sessions are just as important.  Coaches need to make sure that all players are prepared for the dry land session to avoid injury and that they have proper recovery after their session.  Another important factor is giving the players ample rest and recovery periods and make sure exercises are done correctly. 

MH: What should goalies and their parents look for when trying to decide which goalie camp (or instructor) to attend?

KR: When deciding on a goalie camp or an instructor for private lessons, I would say the most important factor is the communication and rapport that you and your child have with the coach.  Word of mouth is one of the most useful resources. Parents and goalies should seek out other goalies who may be able to provide feedback or information on coaches and camps. Personally, I would search for someone who is willing to build a professional and personal relationship with the goaltender and the family and communicate with them. You want your child to learn but also to have fun in the process.  

 

For additional goaltending resources and articles, click here to check out the recent Goalie Issue of USA Hockey magazine or visit USA Hockey Goaltending.

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Over the past few months, more than 30 goalies from Minnesota have had the opportunity to participate in a national development camp or national goaltending camp. In addition, 50 more Minnesota goalies will train together at the 2015 Dave Peterson Goalie Camp this August.

These camps provide goalies with numerous opportunities to develop their game on and off the ice.  Unfortunately, they are also limited on the number and age of goalies that can participate.

To provide goalies of all ages with tips on what they should be doing to develop their game this summer, we caught up with current goaltending coach for the U.S. National Team Development Program and coordinator for the Warren Strelow National Team Goaltending Camp, Kevin Reiter.

Minnesota Hockey: How important is off-ice training for goalies?

Kevin Reiter: Off-ice training is extremely important for goalies at any age but most specifically for goalies at the higher levels.   At the younger levels, it helps to develop balance, spatial awareness and coordination.   As goaltenders mature, it aides in injury prevention, strength and speed.  

Off-ice training also entails playing other sports in order to develop different muscles and work on other skills.  Recently, new off-ice training methods like yoga, pilates and vision training have become popular for all ages.   

MH: What types of differences exist between off-ice training for goalies compared to skaters?

KR: There are similarities and differences throughout the training process for each.  The biggest similarity is in developing a complete athlete. Goalie specific training is different from forwards and defensemen largely because goalie specific movement differs from players' skating movements.  Explosiveness for a goalie is key and that stresses the importance of goalie specific training.  

In addition to team sessions, goalies need to do extra work off the ice.  This extra work needs to incorporate more balance, coordination, flexibility, hand-eye coordination and agility work. 

MH: What are a few dry land drills or exercises that young goalies can use to improve their skills?

KR: Goalies can use dry land training in a variety of ways to improve their skills.  Like I mentioned, any exercises that focus on agility, flexibility and hand-eye coordination are best.  The use of a tennis ball and reaction ball drills improve hand-eye coordination dramatically.  Slide boards help build power and improve lateral movement.  Agility ladders help develop and enhance foot speed.  I encourage goalies of all ages to use Bosu balls to improve their balance.  Also, participating in other sports can help build other muscles that are not traditionally used in the sport of ice hockey.

MH: What tips do you have for youth coaches on how to manage their goalies during dry land sessions?

KR: Coaches should make sure that goalies are always going 100% during dry land sessions.  They should make sure they are as focused during dry land as they are on the ice because dry land sessions are just as important.  Coaches need to make sure that all players are prepared for the dry land session to avoid injury and that they have proper recovery after their session.  Another important factor is giving the players ample rest and recovery periods and make sure exercises are done correctly. 

MH: What should goalies and their parents look for when trying to decide which goalie camp (or instructor) to attend?

KR: When deciding on a goalie camp or an instructor for private lessons, I would say the most important factor is the communication and rapport that you and your child have with the coach.  Word of mouth is one of the most useful resources. Parents and goalies should seek out other goalies who may be able to provide feedback or information on coaches and camps. Personally, I would search for someone who is willing to build a professional and personal relationship with the goaltender and the family and communicate with them. You want your child to learn but also to have fun in the process.  

 

For additional goaltending resources and articles, click here to check out the recent Goalie Issue of USA Hockey magazine or visit USA Hockey Goaltending.

Most Popular