Mind The Net Goaltending - Blocking and Active Hands Butterfly Techniques

[splukoes]

So I'm suggesting that when this happens (which is quite often), he/she had better not be in blocking mode otherwise they won't be ready to respond.

I think blocking mode should only be used for very close in situations.

Again...that is just one guys opinion.

Cheers.

[splukoes]

Don't goalies 'go down into a butterfly' whenever they are 'quite sure' a shot is coming and there won't be time to react so they 'play the percentages'?

I'm suggesting that...in those cases...the goalie can't yet see if the puck is coming high or low because it is only leaving the stick....now.

[MindTheNet]

Splukoes - This video was put together with the idea of showing both ways as being effective uses of the butterfly. We never propose that a goaltender should only block, but they should always react to the release of the shot itself. If a goalie is automatically blocking on all shots that is just wrong and we certainly do not condone an automatic drop. Both forms of butterfly are useful in different situations. If the puck is low, close holes, if above the pads activate the hands.

[splukoes]

I think that if a goalie goes into a butterfly 'with his hands in blocking mode', he will be less able to adjust to a change in the shots direction.

His mind will be telling him "BLOCK" and not "REACT".

Players have too much time and space now and you can't be thinking "BLOCK" everytime you go down. Besides that, if a goalie goes down (or stays down) the shooter will not be going for the five hole so you had better have your hands ready to move and not sitting in blocking mode.

My 2 cents.