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POKE CHECKS
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The ability of a goaltender to use their stick effectively is crucial. Many
goaltenders lack confidence or skill when an opportunity arises to use a poke
check. Often scoring chances can be negated before they actually occur if
the goaltender has developed the ability to anticipate and respond effectively
with their stick.
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Poke checking is one area that is often neglected and is now rarely
used. When was the last time you saw an NHL goalie poke check someone?
Goaltenders like that put themselves in the position of having to make heroic
saves that could have been prevented beforehand. There are still
goaltenders that use this vanishing skill effectively.
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There are three main types of poke checks that can be used depending
on the situation: standing, knee and diving.
THE STANDING POKE CHECK
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The standing poke check is the least risky poke check because you
remain standing throughout the whole process. If you fail to contact the puck
with your poke here, you will still be in reasonably good position to make a
second effort save.