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GOALTENDING GLOSSARY
Goaltending terminology is an ever evolving process. I have included many of the
top goaltending terms below. Credit to Mitch Korn and Hockey Canada with
additional inputs from yours truly.
AGGRESSIVE:
Playing angles and using position in relation to the net that maximizes net coverage,
minimizing the gap between them and the puck.
AERIAL ANGLE:
This concept has become the foundation for “paddle down”, save selections and forward
arm position. Simply it is the trajectory from the puck, aerially, to the cross bar. When considering the best
position and save selection, this is crucial. This also refers to the available net above the goaltender.
ANGLE (HORIZONTAL):
This refers to the amount of available net to each side of the goaltender.
ANTICIPATION:
The ability of the goaltender to read the play, analyzing time and space and likely attack
strategies from their opponents. a.k.a. “connect the dots”
BACK DOOR:
The area “behind the goalie” when challenging. The goalie must learn to balance the size of
the ”back door” vs. the size of the “front door” through “reading the situation”.
BLOCKING:
A block save is used when a goalie will not have time to react to the flight of the puck. These
saves use positions that remove holes in the coverage and use body, depth and angle to snuff out the attack.
BUTTERFLY:
An overused term. It is when a goalie drops allowing both pads to extend out to the side and
with the 5-hole closed (or almost closed). The majority of the lower portion of the net is covered, and the
goalies holes are shut down. Just because a goalie drops to his/her knees, does not mean they are butterfly
goalies.
CHALLENGING:
In general, it is the goalies attempt to “cut the angle” by playing at the top of the blue
crease (or above) to limit the amount of net seen by the shooter.
CUSHIONING:
The ability to deaden a puck off the body, stick or pad to prevent rebounds.
CUTTING DOWN THE ANGLE:
The overall use of challenging, front door, back door, being square to the
puck and reading the situation so the goalie can maximize his/her position.
The three steps are (1) being out…(2) being square)…(3) being set (stationary if possible).
DEPTH:
Distance from the goal line.
EQUIPMENT CONFIDENCE:
The mental state of a goalie that allows him/her to know that the equipment will
not let him/her down. For example, the arm pads protect the goalie well on high shots and the goal pads are
not “overpowered” by the puck when closing the 5-hole.
FALLING OFF THE PUCK:
When a goalie makes a save selection and the majority of his/her body moves
away from the puck side.