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CLOSED / BLOCK BUTTERFLY
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The closed / block butterfly is used frequently when the goaltender reads
that they will not get time to react to the flight of the puck. So, for example, if the
goaltender reads a back door one timer is about to occur, they know they must
get over quickly on the pass and throw up a nice square, block butterfly at the
top of the crease. The one likely side effect of a block butterfly save will be a
rebound as there is little rebound precision possible while in a block butterfly.
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The goaltender explosively drops to their knees fanning both feet out
to the side, just as the shooter releases the puck. Too many goaltenders
use this save as a crutch to hide poor feet or reflexes.
It is nothing more than
a guessing save if you drop too early before the shot is released.
The stick
remains
constantly in contact with the ice throughout the save and the recovery
back to the stance. The feet fan out to the side as the drop happens and the
gloves stay out and open, but tightly pressed to your sides and the top of the
pads. When deploying a closed / block butterfly you must do so without any
holes between your body and your arms.
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I've watched hundreds of goals where a tip snuck through a goaltender
after they made a brilliant read and used a near perfect butterfly. If you execute a
tight butterfly at the top of the crease, lined up property on the puck it will have to
be an amazing shot to beat you.