Mathematics
and Goaltending!

 Rick Heinz

I dont know about most goaltenders, but very few that I have met in my 14
years of playing college and professional hockey, were very fond of mathematics in school. Hard to believe isnt it? After all, the goalie, more than any other player on the ice, has to have a strong background in math, especially when it comes to playing angles.

 

Learning to play angles in goal is the most important ingredient in the making of a goaltender. Why? There are several reasons but I feel knowing how to play angles is the next big step a goalie takes in determining success.

 

I have been writing in past articles of the need to be fundamentally strong. Knowing how to stand, ways to move in goal and how to make all the right type of saves. All very important elements that help to develop a good goaltender. However, angle play, is what connects a goalies fundamentals to playing in a game. Learning to be in the right position in the crease to make the save, knowing how to play certain scoring opportunities and understanding how the game develops in your end of the rink translates into the making of the complete goaltender.

 

The best positional play for a goaltender is made up of the proper angle, the distance or depth and body position relative to the net and puck. Knowing where to stand in the crease during the play is the most important ingredient in goaltending. There is no other way of providing the best net coverage, depth of position and stance than being in the right angle.

 

The angle for a goalie is the position of the goalie in relation to the puck and
the net. The goalie has to be centered or square to the puck and in the right
stance and this will give the best net coverage possible. The distance or depth
to the puck is the next consideration. Being in the right angle is important
but knowing at what depth or distance to stand between the puck and the net is the key ingredient in playing angles.

 

How do you determine this depth? There are 3 ways: 1) location of the puck, 2) position of opposing players, 3) where your defense is positioned.

 

I am sure that you have heard coaches preach to goaltenders to challenge out as far as you can. This is correct in some cases but what must also be considered is the type of scenario that exists on the ice at the time: where all players are standing and who are threats to score. If the puck is at the point and the goalie challenges way out to cut down the angle, this is all good and fine as long as there are no other opposing players either to the side or back of the goalie. A goalie must quickly look around and analyze the situation, noting where all players on the ice are positioned before determining where to stand. This enables the goalie to adapt to several ways opposing players can try to score, and not just the one way of shooting from the point. It also allows the goalie to be in position for rebounds and other types of broken plays which happen all the time. Thats why a goalie has to know where all players on the ice are at all times, because this determines how the goalie plays the
angle, how far to challenge, where to stand , type of save to use and other
possible scoring threats or possibilities.

 

The importance of good angle play for a goaltender the and the value it brings to successful play cannot be understated. Being strong positional wise is just as important as having good fundamentals and quick reflexes. Dont just sit
back in the net for fear of straying to far and being caught out of position.
Study the game, learn where players are on the ice and study different types of scoring opportunities. Take it upon yourself to become a smart goaltender.

 

I cover angles in my video series  Smart Goaltending available on my web
site at www.rickheinz.com and in this
magazine. Should you have any questions, please mail Rick Heinz at
rhsports@rickheinz.com.