8 replies to this topic

[Gigueresgirl]

I had Apathy's help on this. He was used for an interview. Got a B on it. I don't know, I'm happy with a B. What do you guys think?

How to be a Hockey Goalie
By
Tarah Crawford

The Goaltender is the protector of the teams net. They are not allowed to cross the red line nor do they skate around the ice. Wearing eighteen pounds of equipment, the goalie must be quick while using great balance and stern concentration

Goalies have the most solitary job on the ice. They seem to play their own game. Goalies wear about eighteen pounds of pads. These are used to protect them. They must be able to block and move freely. Every goalie also has a backup goalie. They need rest too. To keep up their skills when they aren’t playing, goalies use practice. They also do this while in off-season. Some goalies use good luck charms, and many have stories to tell about things that happen on the ice. Goalies have to stay focused during their games. They have to prepare for anything.

First things first. A Hockey goalie always needs pads. Pads are what the goalie uses not only to protect themselves, but also their net. Goalies use a variety of different gear and pads. First off, a goalie needs leg pads . These are used to protect the goalies legs and the net. A goalie can use the leg pads to block the puck and cover more area. To choose their size, the goalie must measure their leg from ankle to the top of the kneecap. Then from kneecap to half way up the thigh. Add the numbers for their goalie pad size. Always choose larger size for half sizes. Next is the chest pad . They are used to block pucks that are higher up. They also protect the goalies chest. They are made of nylon wrapped around foam or hard padding. They also include a spine protector for the goalies back. A goalie also comes equipped with goalie gloves . There are two different types, the catcher glove, and the blocker glove. The catcher glove is used with the non-stick hand, or the opposite hand the goalie uses to hold their stick. They have an oversized catching area to catch flying pucks. This looks great when a goalie can pull it off. It has a molded one-piece thumb area, a pre-curved palm, and individual finger areas. To determine the size, the goalie must measure their hands. These gloves are normally made special for that particular goalies hand. The blocker is worn on the stick hand. And has a padded leather palm to hold the stick, and a wide solid blocker to deflect shots. A goalie also uses a stick just like his teammates . But the goalies stick has a much bigger bottom. The goalies stick is not used to shoot, it is used to block. The goalie stick is very hard to use if it is not the correct size. It’s hard to handle a stick that is too big or too small. To get the correct size, the goalie must stand on their skates and put the toe of the stick on the ice. The stick should reach the goalies chin or up to the nose. Sense a goalie is on ice, they also need skates. But sense they aren’t skating around, and just blocking, goalies need special types of skates. Ones that allow them to move all around they’re net and jump. They must be tight and can’t move around. This could cause too much slipping of the feet and the goalie can fall over and may let in a goal or two. There are three mane types of skates that a goalie uses; CCM, Bauer and Nike, and Mission. The size for the CCM is determined by the goalies shoe size. They subtract one shoe size from their normal shoes size and they have a perfect fit. For Bauer and Nike, they must determine their athletic shoes size and subtract 1 ½ from that. The Mission skate size is the goalies regular athletic shoe size. One of the most important things a goalie has is their helmet . This protects the face and the head. Goalies in the NHL usually have very cool helmets. The designs are neat and they characterize the goalie during the games. But design is the outer part. The one mane thing all goalie helmets have in common is that they fit the goalie perfectly. The goalie has so much going on, that a helmet that is too big can become a major distraction. The helmet can’t move around and needs to remain stationary. All this helps protect the goalie and help the goalie be able to block shots .

Goalies each have a way of blocking. But no matter if they are using the Butterfly, or simply making a glove save, the goalie does their best to block the puck at all times. The goalie must become comfortable with the way they choose to block. It is very important that the goalie learns how to block correctly their first time. The screen shot is the goalies worst nightmare. This is were the goalie has difficulty seeing the shot because one or more players are between them and the shooter . The slot is the area directly in front of the goal crease. This area is were many offensive opportunities take place (MDHG 15). A lot of goals are scared in the goalies five-hole. This is the path a puck travels in a goal scored between the legs of the goalie . When an opponent scores on the top shelf, they have scored over the either shoulder of the goalie. This is wear a glove save can be seen . Rebounds happen after a goalie has made a save with their stick or pads. A goalie can cover the puck. When this happens, the ref will blow the whistle, and a face off will accurse . Goalies use there skates to block pucks often too. This is what is known as a skate save. They do this by being in the ready position. They make the skate save with their stick side. They turn their stick side skate outwards while they slide their skate out the side in a kicking motion towards the corner. It looks like a “C” motion . The goalie may be injured during any games, or just have a night off. That is why the back up goalie must learn all of these too.

The back up goalie comes in when the first string goalie is injured, sick, or has the night off. They don’t get as much playing time, so they aren’t as good as the first string goalie. They practice with the rest of the team, and are just like the first goalie, only they aren’t used as much. It is always good to have a strong and solid back up goalie. They need to play just as hard as the first goalie.

Goalies need lots of practice. With out practice, hard work, and dedication, a goalie is not worth any more than an open net. A goalie must always practice when they aren’t playing. “If you practice hard and you really try hard to stop the puck the guys will have respect for you and that will carry over into the game.” Said Allaire, the mighty Ducks goalie coach . Different methods of practice work for different goalies. “For practice I just scrimmage as much as possible.” Said Christopher Neglia, a goalie for the Georgia Tech House Team. “Standard pick up rules. Usually people just take unorganized shots for a while then hopefully a scrimmage usually. Best practice I think is just to take shots. Anything else is just, and exercise, like up downs and the like.” It is important that a goalie keep their skills in check, and that they work on any weaknesses that they may have. Some goalies don’t just have practices to help them, some may have a good luck charm or two.

Some goalies have little things that they do for good luck. Giguere from the Mighty Ducks had a stick from his hero, Patrick Roy . Also a big help is the fans. “When the fans are loud, it gives you a big emotional lift.” Said Giguere. “It goes a long way. I think the best good luck charm is someone cheering you on.” Said Christopher Neglia. Goalies also have a lot of stories of things they have done on the ice, or things that they did. Some good ones are embarrassing. “My friends and I call this one the ‘tunnel of love’ goal.” Explains Christopher when sharing a story of one of his worst goals. “It happened the second day I was playing. We were having a shootout competition and my friend shanked the puck bad. It was skidding all the way from the face off circle. I dropped down and put my glove down to stop it. It goes through the glove and through the five-hole right into the net.” Goalies must keep a good humor on things to keep a positive attitude. They also need to be in the zone before and during the game.

A goalie needs to be prepared for their game. Not only with practice, but also mentally, they need to be ready. They have to let go of all that day worries and be able to concentrate on their game. Their team needs them to be capable. Some goalies take preparations before a game. “Little music before a game to get the juices pumping never hurts.” Says Christopher. “I just try to concentrate on the game really. I try to think about the game as much as possible. Sometimes my mind strays when the puck is on the other side. Happy thoughts usually help.” After a game a goalie is able to relax. They have done their duty on protecting their net, and they can finally just sit and relax. That is also a key thing in goalkeeping, the ability to come off of a game, and relax. Goalies need their rest. They have played tough the whole game. And if they have any injuries, they need to have it looked at. An injury that goes with out attention can seriously hurt a goalie; maybe even prevent them from playing in future games.

[kb35fan]

Hey, well I said I would read it and I think u did a great job on it. u should have got a A I think but oh well a Bis good too. Great job and talk to u later.

[Stumpedos]

Well done :tu:

[Gigueresgirl]

Thanks, I felt like such a pro when I read what I typed. And a B aint bad right?

[apathyduck]

i think the only reason it wasnt an A is you got a lot of words mixed up.

Sense instead of since
and accurse instead of occurs.

Its the little things that make the differnce usually. Good work tho. And i cant believe u put that story about my worst goal in your report. Thanks a pile :beat: .

[Gigueresgirl]

It was too good to pass up. And if my spell check doesn't get the word, I figure it's ok. But whatever. I'm happy with a B.

[Kimi]

One thing I noticed was that you used the word 'Goalie' about 60 - 70 times; Which for two side of A4 paper is quite a lot. You should try very the words a bit more to get the A. use things like 'Net minder' or 'Keeper'. They add more variation to the piece. Other that that I think that it was very well written. Well done!

[Barmy Army]

I agree with the previous comments but it is a good piece Tarah and with a bit of tweaking you'll know what you have to do to get a higher mark for you next essay.

You deseved the B, well done

[Gigueresgirl]

Thanks, it was hard, my teacher said we couldn't use I or You. So you eathier have to use One or somthing else. One may notice that the goalie bla bla bla.