What advice would you have to defend a "shot/rebound out to middle" that goes off the end boards? Ie: As a goalie, I need to defend the near post as the offensive player comes in from the sides, however if there is a trailing offensive player, how do I defend both? If I cheat towards the trailing player I leave the near post open, but if I stay on the post I open the rest of the goal to a shot from the deflection off the boards that goes out in front of the goal. Make sense? Don't get me started about where my D is. Thanks in advance. Cheers, Mi3ke
Defend the shot only. It is the most dangerous chance of scoring you are facing at that moment. It is a far better option for you to be dealing with the shot because his options are to shoot when he knows his chances are slim or to pass. If he passes, or shoots, there is always the unknown of what may happen next. Deal with that when that happens.
Spent 3-20 minute halves in goal tonight. JoseP is right. You always have to defend the first attacker. And then react. If the opposition gets an open man in front of goal and the ball plays to him, it's not the goalies fault. Finger always points at the lazy defender. Really, the best advice is to just get big as you move back across. Your movement combined with the bouncing ball means all the difficulty is on the attacker. Playing those quick caroms off the wall are some of the most difficult to get right as an attacker. Anything bouncing off the carpet will naturally want to go high. Ball on the deck will stay down. Speed of play makes kick saves more likely also- use em.
Footwork! Practice coming set for the first shot and then a) rehearse moving your feet to deal with the rebound or b) rehearse your lateral movement to get across the face of goal to stop the next shot.