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BREAKING UP CENTERING PASSES
!
Before you even attempt to break up centering passes you must know
how to hug the post perfectly or you may end up scoring on yourself, which
we all agree can shorten your career.
!
I have watched hundreds of goals scored on bang - bang plays that
could have been prevented. The classic example is the pass from the corner
that some stiff spanks in the open net. The announcer states, " The poor
goaltender didn't have a chance". This type of goal is almost as bad as
letting one in from center and here is why. If you are hugging the post
properly, a player in the corner can fire 500 pucks at you and you will stop
500 even if your eyes are closed! So why give 100% of your concentration
to a player who has 0 % chance of scoring?
!
Many goaltenders get so fixated on these players that they develop
blinders and can't anticipate the play that is about to-happen. We all have
watched Gretzky mesmerize everyone and then lay one right on the stick for
an easy tap in goal. The solution is easy. Protect your limits and deny
access to close pucks without being crazy, lunging and too aggressive.
NEVER LET A PUCK PASS THROUGH YOUR LIMITS, WHICH MIKE IS
DEMONSTRATING HERE. ( he has flipped stick over for demo
purposes only)