The glove and blocker are the goalie’s two upper-body tools. Glove catches and holds the puck. Blocker deflects it away. Most goalies favor one and miss with the other. This drill builds both.
What you need: Full goalie gear, full hockey gear for shooter, pucks, ice rink with net.
Setup: Goalie in net. Shooter 20 feet away with a pile of pucks.
How to run it:
- Goalie sets the stance.
- Shooter takes 5 wrist shots aimed at the glove side (high right for a right-catching goalie).
- Goalie catches each one with the glove. Hold the catch.
- Shooter takes 5 wrist shots aimed at the blocker side.
- Goalie deflects each one away from the body, away from the net.
What to watch: Glove position. Some goalies hold the glove low (waist height). Saves above the chest require the glove up. Tell them: “Glove up to the shoulder.”
If they’re struggling: Slow shots. Closer distance (12 feet). Fewer pucks per round.
If they’ve got it: Add movement. Shooter moves before each shot. Goalie has to track and shuffle before saving.