What is a Hockey Goalie and Why is it the Most Important Position in Hockey?

Hockey goalies are the most important players on the ice. They are in charge of preventing the other team from scoring a goal. This is not an easy task, since they have to stay focused and alert at all times. The goalie is one of the most important players in hockey. This position is often called “the most difficult position to play” because of how much responsibility it holds. Goaltending is also one of the least understood positions.

Goalies have a lot of responsibility for their team’s success, but they also have a lot of pressure on them too. It can be hard for them to stay focused and alert at all times, but this is what they need to do if they want their team to win! The goalie is the last line of defense for the team. They are in charge of stopping shots from every angle and stopping goals from being scored. Goalies can do this with their glove, blocker, stick, or any part of their body!

The Importance of Goalies on every Hockey Team

A hockey team is a group of players that are on the ice at one time. Twenty players make up a typical roster. The roster has forwards, defensemen and goalies. During normal game play there are 3 forwards, two defensemen and one goalie on ice. The position of the goalie is crucial to the success of the team. They are responsible for stopping all shots from going into their net. A good goalie can make all the difference in a game. A good goaltender will often lead your team to a win. Nonetheless, a bad goalie can often lose the game for you.

This position is also referred to as “the backstop”. It is different from the other positions in many ways:

1. Hockey goalies do not normally change or shift on the fly like the other defensive and offensive players.
2. There are a number of unique hockey goalie situations
3. Hockey goalies are the most expensive to gear up
4. Hockey goalies are susceptible to certain long term injuries
5. Requires unique and exceptional skills and reflexes

Hockey Changes on the Fly

Hockey is a game of speed, agility and precision. Played at an extremely high pace with players changing on the fly. This means that teams change their players during live play in addition to face-offs.

Hockey goalies do not normally change on the fly due the nature of their position and the cumbersome nature of their gear. They would have a hard time getting to the net or bench in time. Nonetheless, not widely known or often used but technically goalkeepers can also change on the fly.

Unique Situations for the Most Important Position in Hockey

The goalie position has a number of unique hockey goalie situations quite different from defenders and forwards:

1. Pulling the Goalie: In a hockey game, the goalie is not technically required to stay in net for the entire game. The team can pull the goalie and replace him with an extra skater if they are trailing late in the game. This adds additional offensive power. Also commonly known as “pulling the goalie”.
2. Penalty Shots: Awarded to a player illegally prevented from scoring a goal by an opposing player. Such as a goalkeeper committing a foul inside his own penalty area or an attacking player brought down by an opponent on a breakaway opportunity. Penalty shots are also taken after three periods of regulation time and an overtime period. A penalty shot shootout to decide the winner.
3. Not being able to see the other players when they are attacking/defending behind the net: The goalie typically faces forward to protect their net and crease area. In North America, there is approximately 11ft between the end boards and the goal line. These can be dangerous and tough situations for the goalie. Such as, extremely quick passes released from behind the net requiring incredible reflexes. Some players wrap around the net quickly to squeeze in a goal or some may even try to bank a goal into the net off the goalie.

Goalie Equipment

The goaltender’s gear includes a mask, which protects the goalie’s eyes from shots and the boards, throat protector, neck guard, a chest protector, arm pads, pants, hockey pants with thigh pads, a glove, a blocker and a thick goalie stick. The goaltender also has specially designed skates that help them move on ice more quickly in short spurts.

This special goaltending equipment is designed for protection as well as for the ability to redirect shots with speed, generally using a butterfly style of goaltending. A complete set of goaltending equipment can easily cost you a few thousands dollars up to over $6000; this will vary based on your level of play and the quality of gear. Gearing up as a regular hockey player will only cost you around $1000. Thus, the goalkeeping position is definitely the most expensive position to equip in hockey.

Long Term Goalie Injuries

Injuries are a part of the game of hockey. They happen to every type of player, from goalies to forwards. Goalies are a special breed when it comes to injuries because they have to be more aware of their body and how it reacts in certain situations.

Goalies spend most of their time on ice, which can lead to hip and groin injuries thus , the most common nagging injury that hockey goalies suffer are related to the hip and groin. This is mainly related to the way they play, their stance and the sudden side to side and rotational movements. Goalies have a lot of weight on their hips and lower body especially when they’re in the butterfly position, which can cause added stress on those areas.

There are different types of long term hockey goalie injuries that can happen over time due to the strain put on the body during games and practices. These include:

• Hip and groin injuries
• Shoulder problems
• Knee pain

Somewhat preventable by stretching and conditioning. It is important to stretch before and after any workout, as well as throughout the day. Stretching keeps the muscles flexible and prevents injury, however, over time and wear and tear some of these injuries are inevitable for hockey goalkeepers.

Hockey Goalie Skills and Reflexes

Goalies have to be able to react quickly and make split-second decisions. The goalie needs to have great hand-eye coordination, footwork, and flexibility in order to be successful.

A good goaltender also need to be able to strategize and analyze the other team’s plays and players in order to anticipate their next move. Reading body language is an important part of their game. Goalies have to know when they should go for a poke check, when they should slide, or when they should just stay put in front of the net to block a shot or make a reflexive save.

The goalies mobility is also important. They must move around their goal area and position themselves correctly in order to make a reflexive save or block a shot. Some goalies are also exceptionally talented at handling the puck behind their net in the trapezoid zone. This skill can create some great attacking opportunities for their teammates.

In addition to a goalies quick reflexes, they must also be skilled in controlling rebounds. A rebound can present itself after the goalie makes a save. You can also get a rebound off other players, the net itself or the boards. Many scoring opportunities and goals happen because of rebound chances.

In Conclusion why Goaltending is the Most Important Position in Hockey

Goaltending is the most important position in hockey!

Hockey goalies must play under a number of unique situations such as being pulled from the game or having to stop penalty shots. Goalies have some of the best and most expensive equipment to help protect them, unfortunately, they are still subject to potentially unique and nagging long term injuries due to their style of play.

Goalies have one of the most important jobs in the game. They are responsible for stopping every shot that comes their way and often have to do so under pressure. Goalies have to be able to make split second decisions, stopping pucks with their blockers, controlling rebounds and catching them with their gloves. They also have to be able to perform acrobatic saves as well as make quick reflexes in order to deflect shots from the other team.

If you are an adult hockey goalie looking to join a team or if you are a team desperately looking for a goaltender for your games checkout www.subsneeded.com. You can list your hockey goalie services here and teams can find quality free agents and book them directly.