Off Ice Goalie Training: How to drop into your butterfly faster.

[Unkn0wnGuy]

@jarsh019 Hey bud I'm 32 and this is my first year of goalie... played defense most of my life, got bored, picked up goalie and hired a 1 on 1 coach. I LOVE every minute of it. Don't let age stop you, live your life!!!

[revolutioncondition]

Great question! Unfortunately there is no straight answer. In addition to having different bony structure of the joints, we also have slight differences in our connective tissue properties. Think of those people who are 'double jointed' and those who are just super stiff.

So my answer is YES - it would be possible for someone to do all the right stretching and still not be able to do the splits. You should however be able to significantly increase your flexibility with consistent work.

[tylerdurdonxx]

Perhaps a better question would be... What would be the range that a person can improve in flexibility. As you've stated before. That impoving ones flexibility in only one muscle isn't going to do anything since they all work in unicen (spelling?) Well thanks. You're info is greatly appreciated.

[tylerdurdonxx]

me and my friend have been debating this. Is it possible for a person to not be able to do the splits their whole life, Then lets say they start stretching every day in their 20's. Would it ever be possible to do the complete splits. Or is it not realistic to Drastically increase your flexiility to that extent? I know when you're playing goalie you can appear to go lower, than without equipment because of the goalie pads and what not.

[revolutioncondition]

@jarsh019 - never too late to start - ha ha!

[RandomWalker39]

Hey Maria. A suggestion I have is to use the bosu ball (or a couch cushion) to land the butterfly. It will save on the knees and you won't have to drag your pads out to perform the drill.

The other thing that slows down a butterfly drop is being to tall in one's stance. Since the body's core has to drop before the knees can be applied to the ice. The lower the goalie can get his/her core to the ice, the more quickly the goalie can drive his/her knees to the ice.

[revolutioncondition]

@RandomWalker39 Those are both great suggestions!  I used an airex pad in the video to cushion my knees - but I like the sofa cushion idea for players doing this drill at home - great idea!

You make a good point as well - the lower you can get your centre of mass to the ice to start, the less distance to cover - great point! Thanks!

Cheers,

Maria

[DruGeDuPmeTaLHeadXD]

THANK U!!!!!!!!

[revolutioncondition]

@DruGeDuPmeTaLHeadXD You are very welcome!