Whenever you are ready there are 3 ways I can help you…
1. Get the FREE program that gives you a 2-5” wider butterfly flare in 14 days or less - bit.ly/butterflyYT-D
2. Subscribe to Goalie Training Pro TV on UA-cam - bit.ly/GTP-TV If you have a specific area of your game that needs work - you will find a solution here.
3. See if you qualify to work with me in my online group coaching program here - bit.ly/GWGF_6 Step-by-step workout plans that transform your mobility, strength, speed and stamina on the ICE - this is how goalies go from untapped potential to confident and consistent.
I’m a 5’10 goalie and when I was younger my biggest hurdle was that I listen to what other people thought about my size, and I think that got into my head at times off the ice. But what’s interesting is that I never felt like I was a small goalie when I actually played, probably because I don’t know how it is to be a bigger/smaller goalie. So, my advise to “smaller” goalies is to not put too much emphasis on size. Try to focus on what you can control, work on your own game/skills. And I also believe “smaller” goalies have some advantages, we generally can move better/quicker, we are a little more compact with smaller holes under arms/5hole etc. and one for Maria, is it gentler on the hips being a little shorter?
Hi Jhonas - great to hear your input, hope you are doing well. Your words are so helpful because you are one of the few who has actually walked the path, so I love hearing you say to control what you can control. I agree - slightly shorter levers and perhaps less mass - definitely would be less torque on the hips as long as they are not trying to play a big man's game trying to force a post to post butterfly or thinking they "need" to do the splits.
Being smaller makes it a lot easier to fly around the crease but smaller goalies have to be out thinking the game much more than larger goalie. There is a lot less room for error
As a smaller goalie, i agree. I find that with the larger goaltenders and the evolution of equipment, the fundamentals of the position have slipped a bit. Many of the little things i was taught regarding post coverage and active stickwork have been replaced with excessive size and general positioning. Just a couple observations...
Great video. At 5'2" and into my fifties, I think i have most beat LOL! I started playing at age 24 and have been a happy career beer leaguer. I've been playing pickup 3on3 on a small pad for the past decade which has been great for conditioning and shot value. You just have to learn to accept double digit GAA. As you mentioned, positioning and agility are our friends. One of my stronger assets is a strong glove hand. I've play opposite a goalie who is 6'5" which gets a lot of looks and laughs but I can hold my own against him, and others I have played against. On the plus side, equipment can be cheaper as we can fit into smaller sizing. However, I find I get hit up high more often so having a good mask is important LOL. And sometimes it's frustrating that my leg would not grow a couple of inches to reach the post. But as others have mentioned, us shorter guys are often more aggressive and agile. We got a lotta fight in us.
I'm only 5'3 but I put a big fight. Yes we don't take up as much net but having such a small centre of gravity makes me quick as a cat. Actually one of the best goalies we had from Australia was 5 ft 4. He was insane and was a actually a Goalie Development Coach
That's awesome and exactly my point - it can be done. Having a small CofG doesn't make you quick though - - that must be your powerful legs :) It could help you be more stable though. Thanks for this!
I have you beat! I'm 5'2"!! LOL! But like you and other shorter goalies, I've still got fairly quick reflexes into my fifties with good glove hands. I play pickup 3 on 3 hockey on a small pad which has been great for getting lots of shots and conditioning. I have to admit being jealous sometimes of the goalie I play against as he's 6'5" (yes, people laugh at us when we are standing near each other) and often just seems to be in the way naturally. The best part though is saving money. Fitting into mostly Intermediate size equipment and junior skates has saved me a ton over the years compared to my 6 foot buddies :) .
As a U18 5,2 goalie, I do hope I can grow a couple more inches because that extra leg length might just help from time to time, but being short has just helped me learn to put in more effort, and work harder for my goal. It can be really intimidating and frustrating, but I appreciate this video so much!
Definitely frustrating because you have no control over it, but you are doing the right things - focusing on improving what you can control and hopefully mother nature sends you another inch or two :)
Great video as always Maria. I’m a 5’7 goalie, been playing for about 20 years and I’m 39 now. I’ve certainly found there’s some disadvantages of being smaller. The ways I have overcome are; strong skating abilities, good lateral pushes (I think that’s right?) I may mean strong butterfly slides. And lastly, patience. That has been the key. If you bite too quick, they’re around you faster and you’re not big enough to cover more net.
This is awesome Alex - I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and share what has helped you overcome it. The last thing I want is for people to get discouraged, but you have to find a way to be as effective as possible. This really helps.
@@goalietraining You bet. And I can completely relate to the 'skate on both posts'. I tried to accomplish that one day and realized it just wasn't mechanically possible for me given my size.
@@goalietraining given the current situation of the entire world if anyone is negative about anything to do with hockey they have alot more going on. I'm just glad to be on the ice skating myself and coaching I'm loving it
Hi Maria, I have a 7 years old who just started for the first time in a travel team this year. Bring a goalie is his passion, he works really hard, but the lack of a goalie coach in his team is get him a little lost of what technique and basics. Do you have videos on basics and techniques for kids that are just starting ? Love your videos! 😃
I don't have technique videos because I am a strength coach rather than an on-ice coach, so I would not be the right person to help with that. Steve McKichan - Future Pro Goaltending has tons of technique videos on his channel.
I've learnt that in recreational hockey, size doesn't matter, as long as your GAA is good enough and you flash the leather. Agility. flexibility and positioning are our best friends that will turn the common opinion: poor little goalie to wow the little goalie is pretty awesome - based on true story
YES - that's the one - I couldn't remember exactly what they called it. Thanks for the tip on the mobile app - that is great. USA Hockey does so many great things for their goalies.
i come with good news from the beer leagues....thanks to this video I have gone from getting sniped on by D1 players who don't belong in B league to getting sniped on by D1 players who don't belong in B league. I miss high school. thanks for listening to my TED talk.
Hey Maria this is great! I’m about 5’9 so obviously im a ‘smaller’ goalie but im only 18 so hopefully in these coming years i can have a blessing of 3 inches to get to that 6ft mark hahaha. definitely going to be trying these out maria thank you.
Another thing smaller goalies should work on is there mental game. Pete Fry does slot of work with helping goalies gaining confidence through visualization and he helps me with my levels of focus, hype, confidence, and focus
Being a 5'9" goaltender never really enters into my head once i hit the ice. It never has in the 30 years i have been playing. Facts are facts, a larger goalie takes up more net. But it shouldn't dissuade someone from taking up the position based on their lack of height. Aside from physical conditioning, any success you will have (relative to the level you are playing) will lay solely in your ability to master angles, read and anticipate plays and how effectively you communication with your teammates on the ice. You will simply have to think the game at a higher level and learn to be more patient than the shooter. I have always loved the challenge of being smaller, it made me work harder and think the game more thoroughly.
As a shorter goalie (5'10) I would say the biggest difference I have seen in my play style vs. Bugger goalies is that I tend to employ more of a standup/hybrid style of play whereas larger goalies depend pretty heavily on butterfly style. I guess its born out of necessity because the whole top of the net is exposed when i go down into butterfly
Yes, you need more speed to get there on your feet and take up more of the net - also to play a little more aggressively out in your crease. Totally makes sense.
I’ll take a goalie with a big heart over a goalie who’s just big any day. Place your body in the right position and you can fill the net. Most of the upper body of a tall goalie is protecting the glass from being hit when you look at it through the puck’s eyes.
One of the biggest intangibles I can emphasize is tenacity. At 5'8.5", I'm a pretty short goalie for a man, even in beer league. (Ok, the extra broadness of being a 215# former weightlifter does help a bit.) But I'll tell you one thing, having a reputation of not giving up as long as the puck is still on this side of the line makes you very popular. They don't say, "oh yeah, that guy's short." They say, "oh yeah, that guy's a f-ing fighter."
So, I’m no professional by any stretch, but my friends and I consistently play in the intramural floor hockey league at our university, and for the last two years I’ve played goalie and a taller guy is likely going to join our team in the spring, and we asked him what position he’d play and when he said goalie, I said, no that’s my job and he said, well I’m taller than you, just look at you. And that pissed me off. I am going to be the best floor hockey goalie my small frame will allow for and Im going to prove him wrong. My teammates already trust me in goal, but I’m going to be the best I can be
Atta boy Andrew - don't let any guy walk in and steal your spot; tall is fine, but if he can't move, has no hockey sense and the team doesn't trust him, then it's of no benefit. Show the boys you are the GUY!!
Being 6'5 ain't a prerequisite to being a goalie but you can't be 5'6. Big = more coverage. Simple as that. Not saying cause I'm 6'5 I'm better than Jusse Saros cause that's absolutely not the case. It's another tool in the tool box. It's like being mad because I'm not a Calvin Klein model.... well that was decided before I was born. Way she goes. These guys in the community and industry that say the small goalie is making a comeback..... give your head a shake.
wow bro you just ruined my whole day. Used to actually enjoy your channel, until seeing you put me down and say I wasn't born to play my favorite sport and position.
Whenever you are ready there are 3 ways I can help you…
1. Get the FREE program that gives you a 2-5” wider butterfly flare in 14 days or less - bit.ly/butterflyYT-D
2. Subscribe to Goalie Training Pro TV on UA-cam - bit.ly/GTP-TV
If you have a specific area of your game that needs work - you will find a solution here.
3. See if you qualify to work with me in my online group coaching program here - bit.ly/GWGF_6
Step-by-step workout plans that transform your mobility, strength, speed and stamina on the ICE - this is how goalies go from untapped potential to confident and consistent.
I’m a 5’10 goalie and when I was younger my biggest hurdle was that I listen to what other people thought about my size, and I think that got into my head at times off the ice. But what’s interesting is that I never felt like I was a small goalie when I actually played, probably because I don’t know how it is to be a bigger/smaller goalie.
So, my advise to “smaller” goalies is to not put too much emphasis on size. Try to focus on what you can control, work on your own game/skills.
And I also believe “smaller” goalies have some advantages, we generally can move better/quicker, we are a little more compact with smaller holes under arms/5hole etc. and one for Maria, is it gentler on the hips being a little shorter?
Hi Jhonas - great to hear your input, hope you are doing well. Your words are so helpful because you are one of the few who has actually walked the path, so I love hearing you say to control what you can control. I agree - slightly shorter levers and perhaps less mass - definitely would be less torque on the hips as long as they are not trying to play a big man's game trying to force a post to post butterfly or thinking they "need" to do the splits.
Being smaller makes it a lot easier to fly around the crease but smaller goalies have to be out thinking the game much more than larger goalie. There is a lot less room for error
good points
As a smaller goalie, i agree.
I find that with the larger goaltenders and the evolution of equipment, the fundamentals of the position have slipped a bit.
Many of the little things i was taught regarding post coverage and active stickwork have been replaced with excessive size and general positioning.
Just a couple observations...
Great video. At 5'2" and into my fifties, I think i have most beat LOL! I started playing at age 24 and have been a happy career beer leaguer. I've been playing pickup 3on3 on a small pad for the past decade which has been great for conditioning and shot value. You just have to learn to accept double digit GAA. As you mentioned, positioning and agility are our friends. One of my stronger assets is a strong glove hand. I've play opposite a goalie who is 6'5" which gets a lot of looks and laughs but I can hold my own against him, and others I have played against. On the plus side, equipment can be cheaper as we can fit into smaller sizing. However, I find I get hit up high more often so having a good mask is important LOL. And sometimes it's frustrating that my leg would not grow a couple of inches to reach the post. But as others have mentioned, us shorter guys are often more aggressive and agile. We got a lotta fight in us.
Hey man, could you email me? Or send me a message? I'm in the exact same position as you and would love to pick your brain a bit
I'm only 5'3 but I put a big fight. Yes we don't take up as much net but having such a small centre of gravity makes me quick as a cat.
Actually one of the best goalies we had from Australia was 5 ft 4. He was insane and was a actually a Goalie Development Coach
That's awesome and exactly my point - it can be done. Having a small CofG doesn't make you quick though - - that must be your powerful legs :) It could help you be more stable though. Thanks for this!
5'3" and I bet you fight like 6'3". I'm in the same boat too. Let's go!!
@@aaronmaxim haha 100% we are always under estimated.
@@aaronmaxim BATTLE with the heart of a lion!
I have you beat! I'm 5'2"!! LOL! But like you and other shorter goalies, I've still got fairly quick reflexes into my fifties with good glove hands. I play pickup 3 on 3 hockey on a small pad which has been great for getting lots of shots and conditioning. I have to admit being jealous sometimes of the goalie I play against as he's 6'5" (yes, people laugh at us when we are standing near each other) and often just seems to be in the way naturally. The best part though is saving money. Fitting into mostly Intermediate size equipment and junior skates has saved me a ton over the years compared to my 6 foot buddies :) .
As a U18 5,2 goalie, I do hope I can grow a couple more inches because that extra leg length might just help from time to time, but being short has just helped me learn to put in more effort, and work harder for my goal. It can be really intimidating and frustrating, but I appreciate this video so much!
Definitely frustrating because you have no control over it, but you are doing the right things - focusing on improving what you can control and hopefully mother nature sends you another inch or two :)
Great video as always Maria. I’m a 5’7 goalie, been playing for about 20 years and I’m 39 now. I’ve certainly found there’s some disadvantages of being smaller. The ways I have overcome are; strong skating abilities, good lateral pushes (I think that’s right?) I may mean strong butterfly slides. And lastly, patience. That has been the key. If you bite too quick, they’re around you faster and you’re not big enough to cover more net.
This is awesome Alex - I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and share what has helped you overcome it. The last thing I want is for people to get discouraged, but you have to find a way to be as effective as possible. This really helps.
@@goalietraining You bet. And I can completely relate to the 'skate on both posts'. I tried to accomplish that one day and realized it just wasn't mechanically possible for me given my size.
HERE WE GO!! Waited for this one, didn't disappoint. We worked some VH and RVH last night too. Anything to make these peanuts take up more room.
Phew... I'm glad it lived up to expectations - - I am expecting a venomous comment at any moment - but for now, I live to fight another day.
@@goalietraining given the current situation of the entire world if anyone is negative about anything to do with hockey they have alot more going on. I'm just glad to be on the ice skating myself and coaching I'm loving it
@@aaronmaxim Great point - any day we can get on the ice we are lucky.
RVH is the single worst way a short goalie can cover their posts
thank you for doing this there aren't very many videos for goalies on youtube so thank you for doing this
You are welcome!
Hi Maria, I have a 7 years old who just started for the first time in a travel team this year. Bring a goalie is his passion, he works really hard, but the lack of a goalie coach in his team is get him a little lost of what technique and basics. Do you have videos on basics and techniques for kids that are just starting ? Love your videos! 😃
I don't have technique videos because I am a strength coach rather than an on-ice coach, so I would not be the right person to help with that. Steve McKichan - Future Pro Goaltending has tons of technique videos on his channel.
Thank you. This really helps the kiddos mental game also.
You are welcome - glad to help.
I've learnt that in recreational hockey, size doesn't matter, as long as your GAA is good enough and you flash the leather. Agility. flexibility and positioning are our best friends that will turn the common opinion: poor little goalie to wow the little goalie is pretty awesome - based on true story
100% agree!
ABC’s of depth from USA hockey. Also download the USA hockey mobile coach app for more ideas and help with goaltending.
YES - that's the one - I couldn't remember exactly what they called it. Thanks for the tip on the mobile app - that is great. USA Hockey does so many great things for their goalies.
We are here to help each other. I just had to take the goaltending module for coaching. I would recommend it to anyone. It is worth the $10 US.
@@JudgeLeroyBean yeah - even if you learn 1/2 of a new idea... that's worth TEN BUCKS!! Wow.
Thank you, Maria! You are always my calming voice of reason
ha ha - that could be scary sometimes - ha ha!
i come with good news from the beer leagues....thanks to this video I have gone from getting sniped on by D1 players who don't belong in B league to getting sniped on by D1 players who don't belong in B league. I miss high school. thanks for listening to my TED talk.
Congratulations????
Hey Maria this is great! I’m about 5’9 so obviously im a ‘smaller’ goalie but im only 18 so hopefully in these coming years i can have a blessing of 3 inches to get to that 6ft mark hahaha. definitely going to be trying these out maria thank you.
You've got time - but either way, these habits or strategies will serve you well regardless of your size. So glad to help.
Excellent, as always
Thank you
This is perfect for me!!!
Glad to help
Another thing smaller goalies should work on is there mental game. Pete Fry does slot of work with helping goalies gaining confidence through visualization and he helps me with my levels of focus, hype, confidence, and focus
Yes, great point - Pete does a great job!
Being a 5'9" goaltender never really enters into my head once i hit the ice. It never has in the 30 years i have been playing.
Facts are facts, a larger goalie takes up more net. But it shouldn't dissuade someone from taking up the position based on their lack of height.
Aside from physical conditioning, any success you will have (relative to the level you are playing) will lay solely in your ability to master angles, read and anticipate plays and how effectively you communication with your teammates on the ice.
You will simply have to think the game at a higher level and learn to be more patient than the shooter.
I have always loved the challenge of being smaller, it made me work harder and think the game more thoroughly.
Exactly the point of the video - agree 100%
@@goalietraining thanks Maria, keep up the good work!
As a shorter goalie (5'10) I would say the biggest difference I have seen in my play style vs. Bugger goalies is that I tend to employ more of a standup/hybrid style of play whereas larger goalies depend pretty heavily on butterfly style. I guess its born out of necessity because the whole top of the net is exposed when i go down into butterfly
Yes, you need more speed to get there on your feet and take up more of the net - also to play a little more aggressively out in your crease. Totally makes sense.
I’ll take a goalie with a big heart over a goalie who’s just big any day. Place your body in the right position and you can fill the net. Most of the upper body of a tall goalie is protecting the glass from being hit when you look at it through the puck’s eyes.
Agreed - one of the points I made in the video - I don't think it is RIGHT... but right now, this is the way it is.
One of the biggest intangibles I can emphasize is tenacity. At 5'8.5", I'm a pretty short goalie for a man, even in beer league. (Ok, the extra broadness of being a 215# former weightlifter does help a bit.) But I'll tell you one thing, having a reputation of not giving up as long as the puck is still on this side of the line makes you very popular. They don't say, "oh yeah, that guy's short." They say, "oh yeah, that guy's a f-ing fighter."
agreed; you cannot go into the games thinking "I'm at a disadvantage" you have to go in ready to battle. Great point.
So, I’m no professional by any stretch, but my friends and I consistently play in the intramural floor hockey league at our university, and for the last two years I’ve played goalie and a taller guy is likely going to join our team in the spring, and we asked him what position he’d play and when he said goalie, I said, no that’s my job and he said, well I’m taller than you, just look at you. And that pissed me off. I am going to be the best floor hockey goalie my small frame will allow for and Im going to prove him wrong. My teammates already trust me in goal, but I’m going to be the best I can be
Atta boy Andrew - don't let any guy walk in and steal your spot; tall is fine, but if he can't move, has no hockey sense and the team doesn't trust him, then it's of no benefit. Show the boys you are the GUY!!
4'6' at 8 yrs old
Cool
We love your toes ❤
ha ha - THANK YOU... they could have their own instagram channel maybe :)
Totally in favor of that. Keep them coming ❤😊
@@JohnAdams-cc4iz ha ha - - will do!
Would you mind if I opened a wikifeet page for them?
Being 6'5 ain't a prerequisite to being a goalie but you can't be 5'6. Big = more coverage. Simple as that. Not saying cause I'm 6'5 I'm better than Jusse Saros cause that's absolutely not the case. It's another tool in the tool box. It's like being mad because I'm not a Calvin Klein model.... well that was decided before I was born. Way she goes. These guys in the community and industry that say the small goalie is making a comeback..... give your head a shake.
agreed - a big goalie who can move as well as a small goalie will always win out.
wow bro you just ruined my whole day. Used to actually enjoy your channel, until seeing you put me down and say I wasn't born to play my favorite sport and position.