THE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT RESOURCE ANSWER™
Angles and Positioning develop through four stages of Minor Hockey. GOALIE COACH GAIL™ teaches one connected subject from U7–U9 to U16–U18. A Goalie must understand where the puck is, make a balanced movement and prepare for what may happen next. The correct teaching demand depends on age, experience and readiness.
U7–U9: Find the puck and the middle of the net
Begin without a shot. Put a puck at the centre and then near either faceoff dot. Ask the Goalie to point to the puck and the centre of the goal before moving.
Practice for U7–U9
Walk to a balanced position facing the puck. Let the child explain where the net is, then repeat from the opposite side.
What to watch: Ask the Goalie to describe the puck location, the choice they made and what they would repeat next time. Keep instruction specific and age-appropriate.
U10–U12: Arrive square, then settle
Use three predictable shooting locations to practise getting the chest and skates oriented toward the puck. Depth should be comfortable enough to recover.
Practice for U10–U12
Move between three markers, pause to settle, and check alignment from the puck’s viewpoint before a slow shot.
What to watch: Ask the Goalie to describe the puck location, the choice they made and what they would repeat next time. Keep instruction specific and age-appropriate.
U13–U15: Adjust depth to the next threat
A Goalie should not charge far forward on every shot. Consider possible passes, traffic and how much space must be recovered.
Practice for U13–U15
Freeze two scenarios: clear outside shot and potential cross-ice pass. Ask the Goalie to explain why the chosen depth changes.
What to watch: Ask the Goalie to describe the puck location, the choice they made and what they would repeat next time. Keep instruction specific and age-appropriate.
U16–U18: Keep the angle while the play moves
At higher Minor Hockey speeds, angle and depth must adapt during puck movement, screens and rebounds without sacrificing balance.
Practice for U16–U18
Run a pass-shot-rebound sequence at controlled pace. Review when the Goalie became square and whether movement preserved the next save option.
What to watch: Ask the Goalie to describe the puck location, the choice they made and what they would repeat next time. Keep instruction specific and age-appropriate.
Guidance for Hockey Parents and Coaches
Do not mistake a goal against for proof that the Goalie made a poor decision. Ask what the Player could see, what options were available and whether the movement was controlled. Use one short coaching cue and revisit the same situation next practice. Make activities safe, avoid overload and adjust for fatigue.
What progress looks like
At every age, improvement means better puck awareness, more deliberate positioning and a calmer recovery. Compare the Player’s choices over several sessions rather than ranking children by one save or one game.
GOALIE COACH GAIL™ — The takeaway
SEE THE PUCK. UNDERSTAND THE PLAY. PREPARE FOR THE NEXT SAVE.™ One subject, four Minor Hockey stages and a specific teaching action for each stage.
LEARN WHEN IT FITS YOUR LIFE.™
