Goalie Butt-End Hand-Eye is a goalie progression for youth through advanced players that develops hand-eye coordination, stepping to the ball, and driving the hands through the save before progressing into live stick work.
SET UP
Start the goalie without their goalie stick and instead give them a short stick turned upside down, using only the butt end of the shaft. From close range, the coach tosses or shoots balls to different locations while the goalie steps toward each ball and attempts to meet it with the end of the handle, keeping their eyes locked on the ball and driving their hands through it. Tennis balls can be used for younger goalies. Progress into quicker repetitions and different locations before transitioning to the goalie stick. Once using the goalie stick, work quick-stick shots to the stick side and off-stick side, emphasizing the same step and hand movement developed in the butt-end progression.
COACHING POINTS & PRINCIPLES
Eyes to the Ball: Track the ball all the way into the stick while stepping toward it rather than reaching or lunging.
Drive the Hands: Keep the hands active and drive them directly through the path of the ball to make the save.
Maintain Hand Position: Keep the hands approximately 12 inches apart on the goalie stick; allowing the bottom hand to slide too far down the shaft can slow reaction time.
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