At Rick Heinz Goalie School we strive to help athletes of all ages improve their hockey game by focusing on proper attitude and the fundamentals of the sport. Here are some things that you can do to help make you a better goaltender.

So how can players grow as great team leaders? Here’s a look:

1. Improve Your Reflexes

   Playing other sports can help you to develop the eye-hand coordination necessary to stop pucks that are flying faster than the eye can see. In ping pong, for example, you are forced to make split-second decisions that impact whether or not you stop the ball. This is similar to the decision that you have to make as a goalie about which direction the puck will come from and where you should be on the ice to stop it.

2. Keep a Positive Mental Attitude

   It can be tough to rebound after failing to make a save. You can start to doubt yourself and let other goals occur that you otherwise would have blocked. Always think highly of yourself and have confidence in your abilities. This will help propel you to the top mentally and emotionally.

3. Do As Much Work As Other Players

   While not every coach is going to make a goalie participate in every drill, you should strive to do everything that your team is doing. Unless you are specifically told not to participate you should be out on the ice giving it your all with the rest of the team. This will help develop your work ethic and make you a more well-rounded player.

4. Improve Your Skating

   It goes without saying that skating is key for other positions, but it is routinely ignored among goalies. Since the goalie stands for long stretches at a time in one place it is often assumed that he doesn't need to develop as a skater. However, to defend the net properly, a good goalie needs to be able to turn sharply and maneuver quickly on his side of the ice.

5. Evaluate Your Saves and Misses

   Always keep a mental record of the things you did right and the things you did wrong. Note the position you were in when you made a critical save and the one you were in when you let the puck slip past. Try to remember as many factors as you can that went into the success or failure of each attempt. Keeping your mental game sharp and remembering where there is room for improvement is the key to excellence.

These are just five of many things that you can do to improve your skills as a goalie. At Rick Heinz Goalie School, we can help you develop you technical skills and help you on your way to becoming a better goaltender.