DEVELOP, NURTURE, MOTIVATE, PROMOTE ENJOYMENT OF THE GAME
Welcome, Goalie Parents!
You are a passionate and dedicated group!
You have advocated for change in minor hockey organizations and coaches for years. Your pleas have centered around two critical points: the need for coaches to delve deeper into goaltending and the importance of qualified, certified mentors for your young goalies.
We have to blame the system, not the coaches. The majority of them love the game and genuinely want to help the kids. They are generally volunteers; we appreciate them and couldn’t run the games without them. Still, there is a clear gap in their overall knowledge and skills regarding coaching goaltenders.
So, what is a goalie parent to do?
- Get to Know the Position: Dive deep into the intricacies of being a goalie.
- Study and learn the Essential Core Goaltending Skills.
- Confidently Address Concerns from a well-informed and educated perspective.
- Seek expert guidance from those dedicated to developing goalies.
- Build Confidence: Know when and what to say.
- Support your goalie, and keep the game FUN!
- Strike the right balance between support and enjoyment.
Recognize Inadequate Coaching And The Potential Consequences:
- Unnecessary Injuries: Proper technique is crucial to avoid injuries arising from incorrect goalie skills.
- Frustration: Ensure your goalie learns the right skills and reduce frustration for both you and your child, enhancing the overall experience.
- Diminishing Passion for the Game: Proper training prevents premature departure from the sport, allowing your goalie to enjoy the game they love for longer.
- Preventable Defeats: Weak skills lead to preventable goals and losses.
- Bad Habits: Correct skills development prevents the formation of bad habits that can be challenging and time-consuming to correct.
- Early Cuts & Limited Recognition: Inferior coaching leads to disappointment and missed advancement opportunities for your child.
- Team dissension: Players become frustrated when the goaltender doesn't provide the expected support.
You must also learn to spot and address coaching issues and get the necessary answers. Become a student of the position, delving into the root cause of deficiencies and understanding proper goaltending techniques and the habits of young goalkeepers.
icoachgoalies.com was explicitly created for goalie parents just like you and minor hockey coaches. Our sole mission is to help you understand goaltending better and instill confidence in your young goalies by providing sound advice.
“It’s not an excuse when your team doesn’t have a goalie coach. Find a way to help your goalies: Read books, watch videos, do some research. We don’t ask you to be perfect—just put in some effort. Coaches’ instructions are sometimes ‘just stop pucks’, and this is sad.”
Marco Marciano Goalie Coach, Gold Medal Women’s Olympic Hockey, AHL