 The
stand-up myth
Perhaps one of the most
over-blown statements a goalie hears in his
playing career is STAND-UP. From Tyke to the
N.H.L., a goalie will hear the phrase thousands
of times. “You didn’t Stand Up”, “ My
boy plays a Stand Up Style of goal”, “Stay
on your feet and challenge the shooter”.
Since I started playing goal, these words have
always bothered me, but until recently, I never
knew why. I never really understood what ‘Stand
Up’ meant. No coaches could give me an
adequate explanation, especially the ‘goalie
coaches’.
Over time, I began to realize
that what ‘Standing Up’ meant was
as much a mystery to them as it was to me!
Now, as a full time instructor
of the position, I am in a constant battle
with young goaltenders who have been contaminated
with poorly thought out systems and ‘copycat’ styles.
Often, they have picked up the idea that ‘Stand
Up’ goal is what they must play in order
to progress out of minor hockey. Like kids
do, they take their instructions literally, “STAND
UP, DON’T GO DOWN” While I have
no complaints with coaches and parents taking
time to develop a goaltender, I do have a big
problem with ‘goalie experts’,
or well meaning parents, repeating something
they have heard and preaching what that they
themselves do not understand. This is especially
the case with something that can ruin a young
goaltender’s confidence like trying to
stay on his feet for every shot. Learning to
stand up is just one of the maturing processes
a young goalie has to grow into.
As I mentioned, a big obstacle
in teaching/learning this type of system is
that many people in the hockey community (coaches,
TV Experts, Goalie Schools Instructors, Parents)
push the ‘stay on your feet system’ too
early. What most people seem to forget is that
the goalies they hold up as good examples of
the stand up style (i.e. McLean, Vernon, Richter)
are adults! Not only that, but they are adults
playing at the highest skill level on the planet.
I can guarantee that the style every “classic
stand up” goalie who is now playing Professional,
College, or Junior, in no way resembles how
he played as a beginner, as a growing 14 year
old, and as a maturing 17 year old. Trying
to instill a disciplined, “stand there
and don’t fall down” style on a
energetic young teenager is like advancing
the kid from grade 9 math to University Calculus.
It just won’t work.
To let a goaltender grow into
the position, I think it’s important
to encourage the person use their natural abilities
at the time. A beginner should, first and foremost,
have fun. Concentration on skating, basic stances,
and save execution should be the main focus.
12-15 year-olds should be allowed
to use the natural physical advantages that
become evident at that age; Hard Working, Scrambling,
Kicking, Doing Anything and Everything it takes
to keep the puck out. It is of utmost importance
that a goalie this age develops strong self-esteem
and ego. Success at the position is the only
thing that will build these important personal
attributes. I hate watching a 13 or 14 year
old goalie try to stand up and play disciplined.
It’s a complete contradiction to the
time of life they are in, and because most
are not ready to play that system, they will
be less successful. |
