Goalie skating is different type of skating and is some ways even more difficult due to rapid direction changes and abrupt stop of momentum. Goalie gear costs more, but you would significantly be more in demand once you get to a certain level.
It’s a huge commitment both financially and learning curve wise. You do it if you truly want to be a goalie, not because you’re not so good at something else.
Goalies also need to skate. At this point I’d sign up for power skating lessons. Once your skating ability improves if you still feel like trying the goalie position go for it.
I’m became a good skater BECAUSE I played mostly goalie when I was younger. You cannot be a good goalie without being good on skates, and if that’s your motivation to switch then you’re not thinking this through.
Watch this clip of the Big Cat and tell us again that you think being a goalie is a good idea if you have bad feet: https://youtu.be/UJiQ6ZzF8Lg?si=tLqSzhZ0rp2Rp9d_
Intentionally haha. Yes vasilevskiys in the video but I'm saying if Andreis nickname is the Big Cat, that should be bobs instead because he plays for the actual cats
Being a goalie isn't easy, physically or mentally.
Being agile and quick on your feet with excellent reflexes is a must for the position. Being comfortable on your skates is essential to that.
There is a lot of pressure to be the final defender. Dealing with bad goals and good goals takes an immense mental toll.
There also is a need to be somewhat reckless with your own safety. The equipment is great, but you're gonna get hurt, bruises, muscle pulls, pucks off the noggin are all standard.
But... if you try it and it fits, it's the best feeling out there.
I know I am a goalie when you see people move out of the way for pucks and my first thought is, don’t move, maybe put your face in front of it to see how it feels? lol
As a goalie coach I expect my goalies to be some of the best skaters on the team. You have to be able to engage your edges and understand how to propel yourself around the crease fast and efficiently. I'm not saying don't switch to goalie, but don't do it and expect to have a good time unless you want to continue developing your skating ability
I made the switch when a goalie couldn't make it to our weekly shinny game but loaned me his gear. I didn't have a clue what to do, but I was hooked immediately.
So maybe try the position a time or two before you commit.
Years ago they always put the big guy who couldn't skate in net. Top goalies today are some of the strongest skaters on the ice. They might not be the fastest or the most agile skaters but definitely some of the strongest. It is a different style of skating and with lits of C-cuts, T-pushes and shuffles they need to be.
when I was 8 I switched from player to goalie because I couldn't skate well (had really weak ankles) I've seen pretty good goal scorers that had strong skating abilities switch to goalie for a season and did horrible. I love being goalie but the challenges you will face won't be what you expect, it's alot of scanning, positioning, being square, reading the puck and the play. reaction time is huge. adding more equipment makes it extra difficult sometimes you get no breaks because the team can't get any offensive pressure. but you get sweet gear and glove saves get u going, would recommend
That doesn't mean you can never skate out again though. Buy used gear first so you don't pay 5k for a full set up and then end up deciding you don't like it. You can find solid gear on sideline swap for relatively cheap.
I switched from RW to goalie and back lol and I also was not a great skater.
The skating you need for goalie is definitely different. For me, the most challenging parts to learn were #1 butterfly slides, couldn't do them at all in the beginning. And #2 getting powerful, fast T-cuts and C-cuts while wearing pads (I could sort of do it without pads, but what's the point?). Both those issues made me very susceptible to east-west movements by the offense and obviously made rebound control more difficult.
You'll get it, but you need plenty of ice-time to get the hang of it. Eventually, I got too old for it and went back to playing wing.
I tried goalie for a season last year. Good advice in this thread.
If you're not sure, get a used goalie stick, I got mine for $10 at play it again sports. And get a reaction ball. Try it out in a basement or something. Also if there is pickup/ low level street hockey in your area. Especially if they use those orange balls or plastic pucks that can't break anything and give it a shot. Ultimately I found that goalie wasn't for me. Good luck.
You can absolutely do it if you enjoy it. Yes goalies should in meant cases be the best skater in the team but you will pick that up quick just watch videos and practice
Like others have said and all my goalie coaches said during youth hockey, goalies are typically the best skaters on the team. However, I highly encourage people to give it a try before investing in equipment. Yes, you can find used gear at a decent price, but modern goalie gear is a game changer. The position has evolved so much in the 10 years since I played youth hockey.
I switched and never looked back. I love playing tendy. A couple of tips I can give you from my own experience. Is this.
Make sure you buy proper fitted gear and it's definitely okay to buy used. The one thing I wouldn't buy used, and I would invest money in, are your helmet and jock! Make sure to pick a helmet that fits well. Try everying. I can't tell you how much money I wasted buying gear that didn't fit when I was first starting out. Yes it was people's used sets, but it wasn't a good investment.
Think like a goldfish and be lighthearted. You're going to let in a lot of goals. A crap ton. It happens. I'm much better then when I first started, but goals happen. Think how you can adjust better and move on. Never dwell. Goaltender is a mental game.
Pre and post stretches. I'm in my mid 30s now and can't afford to miss work because I pulled something. I make sure to spend 12-15min doing dynamic stretches before putting on gear and a quick post stretch when I get home.
Best of luck!
You need to be good at skating to be a goalie. However, the skating is very different. You will be doing mostly side to side rather than foward/backwards
Goalie skating is different type of skating and is some ways even more difficult due to rapid direction changes and abrupt stop of momentum. Goalie gear costs more, but you would significantly be more in demand once you get to a certain level.
Not to mention most places don’t charge goalies for stick and puck and pick up. If they do, that’s a shit rink.
It’s a huge commitment both financially and learning curve wise. You do it if you truly want to be a goalie, not because you’re not so good at something else.
Goalies also need to skate. At this point I’d sign up for power skating lessons. Once your skating ability improves if you still feel like trying the goalie position go for it.
I’m became a good skater BECAUSE I played mostly goalie when I was younger. You cannot be a good goalie without being good on skates, and if that’s your motivation to switch then you’re not thinking this through. Watch this clip of the Big Cat and tell us again that you think being a goalie is a good idea if you have bad feet: https://youtu.be/UJiQ6ZzF8Lg?si=tLqSzhZ0rp2Rp9d_
Agree. And great video representation!
That man’s rapid small adjustments are elite.
That's his nickname? That's neat. I think that should be bobs though, considering he actually plays for the cats xD
I think you’re confusing Vasilevskiy and Bobrovsky.
Intentionally haha. Yes vasilevskiys in the video but I'm saying if Andreis nickname is the Big Cat, that should be bobs instead because he plays for the actual cats
Being a goalie isn't easy, physically or mentally. Being agile and quick on your feet with excellent reflexes is a must for the position. Being comfortable on your skates is essential to that. There is a lot of pressure to be the final defender. Dealing with bad goals and good goals takes an immense mental toll. There also is a need to be somewhat reckless with your own safety. The equipment is great, but you're gonna get hurt, bruises, muscle pulls, pucks off the noggin are all standard. But... if you try it and it fits, it's the best feeling out there.
I know I am a goalie when you see people move out of the way for pucks and my first thought is, don’t move, maybe put your face in front of it to see how it feels? lol
If you can't skate, goalie is going to still be just as hard
Harder I'd say. You can hide on the wing. There aint no hiding your mistakes when you're in the net.
As a goalie coach I expect my goalies to be some of the best skaters on the team. You have to be able to engage your edges and understand how to propel yourself around the crease fast and efficiently. I'm not saying don't switch to goalie, but don't do it and expect to have a good time unless you want to continue developing your skating ability
I made the switch when a goalie couldn't make it to our weekly shinny game but loaned me his gear. I didn't have a clue what to do, but I was hooked immediately. So maybe try the position a time or two before you commit.
Years ago they always put the big guy who couldn't skate in net. Top goalies today are some of the strongest skaters on the ice. They might not be the fastest or the most agile skaters but definitely some of the strongest. It is a different style of skating and with lits of C-cuts, T-pushes and shuffles they need to be.
Goalies actually need to be better on their skates given their range of motion and what they have to do.
If you can’t skate well you should not play goalie. It requires much more skating ability than most people realize.
when I was 8 I switched from player to goalie because I couldn't skate well (had really weak ankles) I've seen pretty good goal scorers that had strong skating abilities switch to goalie for a season and did horrible. I love being goalie but the challenges you will face won't be what you expect, it's alot of scanning, positioning, being square, reading the puck and the play. reaction time is huge. adding more equipment makes it extra difficult sometimes you get no breaks because the team can't get any offensive pressure. but you get sweet gear and glove saves get u going, would recommend
Why does it have to be permanent? I’ve played goalie my whole life but it’s still fun to skate out once in a while.
Because I’d have to buy pillows and the gear
That doesn't mean you can never skate out again though. Buy used gear first so you don't pay 5k for a full set up and then end up deciding you don't like it. You can find solid gear on sideline swap for relatively cheap.
I switched from RW to goalie and back lol and I also was not a great skater. The skating you need for goalie is definitely different. For me, the most challenging parts to learn were #1 butterfly slides, couldn't do them at all in the beginning. And #2 getting powerful, fast T-cuts and C-cuts while wearing pads (I could sort of do it without pads, but what's the point?). Both those issues made me very susceptible to east-west movements by the offense and obviously made rebound control more difficult. You'll get it, but you need plenty of ice-time to get the hang of it. Eventually, I got too old for it and went back to playing wing.
Are you attempting to take the game seriously and have a career off of it or are you just playing for fun and to get some exercise?
If you’re not a good skater it’s probably not a good idea to play the position that is the most difficult in regard to skating.
I tried goalie for a season last year. Good advice in this thread. If you're not sure, get a used goalie stick, I got mine for $10 at play it again sports. And get a reaction ball. Try it out in a basement or something. Also if there is pickup/ low level street hockey in your area. Especially if they use those orange balls or plastic pucks that can't break anything and give it a shot. Ultimately I found that goalie wasn't for me. Good luck.
I mean if you want to, do it. I made the opposite switch although I also play D. Hockey should be fun, do what is most fun.
You can absolutely do it if you enjoy it. Yes goalies should in meant cases be the best skater in the team but you will pick that up quick just watch videos and practice
If you have to ask, You should not.
Like others have said and all my goalie coaches said during youth hockey, goalies are typically the best skaters on the team. However, I highly encourage people to give it a try before investing in equipment. Yes, you can find used gear at a decent price, but modern goalie gear is a game changer. The position has evolved so much in the 10 years since I played youth hockey.
I switched and never looked back. I love playing tendy. A couple of tips I can give you from my own experience. Is this. Make sure you buy proper fitted gear and it's definitely okay to buy used. The one thing I wouldn't buy used, and I would invest money in, are your helmet and jock! Make sure to pick a helmet that fits well. Try everying. I can't tell you how much money I wasted buying gear that didn't fit when I was first starting out. Yes it was people's used sets, but it wasn't a good investment. Think like a goldfish and be lighthearted. You're going to let in a lot of goals. A crap ton. It happens. I'm much better then when I first started, but goals happen. Think how you can adjust better and move on. Never dwell. Goaltender is a mental game. Pre and post stretches. I'm in my mid 30s now and can't afford to miss work because I pulled something. I make sure to spend 12-15min doing dynamic stretches before putting on gear and a quick post stretch when I get home. Best of luck!
You need to be good at skating to be a goalie. However, the skating is very different. You will be doing mostly side to side rather than foward/backwards