11 replies to this topic

[HBDucksFan]

Okay so I played roller hockey when I was in around 6th grade for 2 seasons and kind of stopped since it was too expensive for my parents then. Now, since I am supporting myself, I kind of want to get back in to hockey (either ice or roller). However, I want to make the jump to goalie since I have always wanted to play that position but never got the chance since it was even more expensive than defense. Now my question is, how hard is it for an adult to start playing as a goalie as a beginner here in Southern California. I'm leaving for Barcelona in August but if possible would love to get started a little during the summer so when I come back, I would have some experience. I play goalie in lacrosse so I have some basic knowledge of playing goalie (the arc and angles) but I would be relatively brand new. Any suggestions on places to learn or that are receptive to beginners?

[DropThePuck]

Welcome to AllDucks.

You'll find some ideas and hints in this thread.

[Duckette]

Okay so I played roller hockey when I was in around 6th grade for 2 seasons and kind of stopped since it was too expensive for my parents then. Now, since I am supporting myself, I kind of want to get back in to hockey (either ice or roller). However, I want to make the jump to goalie since I have always wanted to play that position but never got the chance since it was even more expensive than defense. Now my question is, how hard is it for an adult to start playing as a goalie as a beginner here in Southern California. I'm leaving for Barcelona in August but if possible would love to get started a little during the summer so when I come back, I would have some experience. I play goalie in lacrosse so I have some basic knowledge of playing goalie (the arc and angles) but I would be relatively brand new. Any suggestions on places to learn or that are receptive to beginners?

Play in a beginner league for at least one season. But, you have to be somewhat flexible. Lacrosse goalie may be the same fundamentals, but you don't have to slide in a butterfly and stretch out when you're down like you do in hockey. Also, the skating is the completely opposite of player skating. Everything is lateral as a goaltender. Just, don't go in there assuming you know enough. Go in there assuming you know nothing and you'll do fine.

I coach beginner adult goalies, and the biggest problem I see with them is their flexibility. But, adult for you is what age? 18? It depends on how old you are, I guess. If you have a friend who has goalie gear, see if you can borrow it and try it out before shelling out the cash. You may not like it, seeing how you started out as a defenseman.

Hope that helps and answers some questions

[HBDucksFan]

Hope that helps and answers some questions

Thanks a lot for your advice Duckette. Trust me, I definitely know that I know very little about hockey goalie because of the exact reasons you mentioned. I have to learn all the basic things about being a hockey goalie. I'm only twenty but I would think i have to work on my flexibility. Just out of curiosity, if i were to look into a coach, what would the average cost be?

[Barmy Army]

Sorry I can't pass along any advice but I just wanted to say hello and welcome you to our fun family here at AD. Hope you like it here

[Duckette]

Thanks a lot for your advice Duckette. Trust me, I definitely know that I know very little about hockey goalie because of the exact reasons you mentioned. I have to learn all the basic things about being a hockey goalie. I'm only twenty but I would think i have to work on my flexibility. Just out of curiosity, if i were to look into a coach, what would the average cost be?

Uhh... I honestly don't know. I have never had a goalie coach until this past season, and it's cuz his dad is paying him $20 per practice to coach me. I would think $40 per practice at the most for 1-on-1 but I really am not sure. You'd probably have to go to goalie clinics if you didn't want to spend too much cash, or teach yourself like I had to (which I really don't advise doing). Just watch a lot of hockey and kinda remember what the goalies did. Put on the leg pads in the living room or w/e and just practice getting up and down into your butterfly. Another suggestion I have would be to strap on the leg pads and go to one of the public skates (y'know, where everyone can get in). It'll get you feeling used to the pads, break them in more and you can practice shuffling and stopping without all the gear on.

Definitely stretch a lot both on and off the ice, it'll improve your flexibility. IDK, each goalie is different in their quirks and what-not, and you'll pick up different methods from other people, so be open to different styles. Also, one style will probably come more natural to you. Standing up (Nabokov), Butterfly (Giguere) or Hybrid (Brodeur). While you want to learn the all around game, focus more on what feels right for you. I am a pure butterfly goaltender, so my coaches don't have me doing drills where I'm standing up.

[jigglypuff]

Hi just thought I'd throw some stuff your way. I've had lots of coaches and done a bit myself, I was always told to watch a goalie that is close to my style and see what they do in different situations. This is quite difficult to find tho as no station only films the goalie! however there are loads of DVD out there that can help and if you PM me I can see if I can upload some so you don't have to shell out loads!!!!

There are lots of tricks that you can do to help, stuff like playing with bouncy balls, juggling getting used to angles and training yourself to be able to predict distance speed etc. If you really push at these things flexablity is less important as you can become a hybrid or stand up although I wouldn't go down the stand up route as it does mess with your back more than any other style.

[HBDucksFan]

Thanks for all the input! When I went to a hockey camp when I was younger, I got a chance to play some goalie for one day. It was the best experience ever! From that experience, I am pretty sure that I am a butterfly style goalie since that was the method that just naturally came to me when a shot came. When I come back from Barcelona, I plan on trying out for the roller hockey team @ UCI (chances would be slim, but doesn't hurt to try ). Does anyone have any recommendation on gear that I can get for cheap? I have been looking at ebay, but at the same time I know that pads need to fit right and don't want to buy something without trying it on, so if I do get a chance to play, I need a decent set of gear. Any suggestions?

[Duckette]

Thanks for all the input! When I went to a hockey camp when I was younger, I got a chance to play some goalie for one day. It was the best experience ever! From that experience, I am pretty sure that I am a butterfly style goalie since that was the method that just naturally came to me when a shot came. When I come back from Barcelona, I plan on trying out for the roller hockey team @ UCI (chances would be slim, but doesn't hurt to try ). Does anyone have any recommendation on gear that I can get for cheap? I have been looking at ebay, but at the same time I know that pads need to fit right and don't want to buy something without trying it on, so if I do get a chance to play, I need a decent set of gear. Any suggestions?

Play It Again Sports. They've got roller hockey gear and are extremely helpful! Good prices too But remember, roller hockey and ice hockey have completely different fundamentals. IDK if you did ice hockey for day of goalie, but in roller hockey, when you drop you're kinda stuck there. But, IDK what kinda hockey you're used to, so I guess it depends on that too.

And if you're butterfly, make sure you're stretching!!!

[play puck]

I suggest that you get a personal Coach

[HBDucksFan]

okay so I went to play it again sports today just to see if there was any gear for cheap and I tried on a reebok Jr. catching glove and it fit pretty nice. My question is what is the difference between Sr. pads, Int., and Jr. pads? I would assume that Sr. pads would be higher quality, but does Int. or Jr. series fit adults fine because on one website it seem that Jr. and Sr. classes are just size differences.

[Duckette]

Jrs. are for younger kids. Like, 8-12. Intermediate is just the in between size of Sr. and Jr. Senior is probably what you need. And I would try a Sr. glove. How tall are you? If you're at least 5'8", you'll need Sr. leg pads. It depends on height and length of hands.