SWYHA Goaltending Development

South Windsor Youth Hockey is dedicated to Goaltending development.

To that end, South Windsor Youth Hockey sets aside extra ice each season to focus specifically on Goaltending development for the Mite, Squirt, Pee Wee and Bantam Levels at no additional cost to our members.

In each of these levels, with each of these extra sessions, South Windsor Youth Hockey will focus on fundamental development of the Goaltending position.

The days of the “Pond-Hockey Goalie” are over.

Goaltending is a science.

Goaltending should be looked at, treated as and practiced as such.

At South Windsor Youth Hockey, we are excited to be a leader in the State of Connecticut to advance, educate and promote proper Goaltending technique.

If you are interested in your daughter or son learning the correct way to play the Goaltending position, please consider enrolling at South Windsor Youth Hockey.

Our Board of Directors is committed to make South Windsor Youth Hockey a “Goalie-friendly” environment. South Windsor Youth Hockey understands the extra expenses a Goalie family endures, not to mention, a Goalie family, that also allows their daughter or son to play-out (as a player as well).

Tuition reduction and elimination are available to help off-set the extra expenses incurred by our netminders and their families.

South Windsor Youth Hockey is offering one (1) day a month Goalie training this summer. These, one (1) day; one (1) hour, per month sessions, are the perfect way to keep Goalie fundamentals sharp, while allowing time to get away from hockey and enjoy other interests.

The 2023 Goalie Summer Session Schedule will be:

• Monday, June 5 6:40pm-7:40pm
• Tuesday, July 11 7:50pm-8:50pm
• Monday, August 7 6:40pm-7:40pm 

SWYHA provides (at no additional cost) extra ice time for Goalies to focus on:

Stance

Positioning

Skating

Stick Handling

All Goaltenders at the Squirt, Pee Wee and Bantam Levels are encouraged to attend each session. The following pages will detail the above-mentioned focus points for each Goalie specific training date.

At South Windsor Youth Hockey Goalie Instruction, we will focus on:

Feet

Skates

Knees

Chest

Shoulders

Gloves

Stick

At South Windsor Youth Hockey Goalie Instruction, we will focus on the benefits and tendencies of Goaltending, to ultimately make sure Goaltenders are focused on the above attributes of becoming a technically sound goalie. Again, the days of being a “pond hockey goalie” are over. Learn and Advance.

At South Windsor Youth Hockey Goalie Instruction, we will focus on the D, C, B and A’s of goaltending.

D = Defensive Position

C = Conservative Position

B = Base Position

A = Aggressive Position



At South Windsor Youth Hockey Goalie Instruction, we will focus on improving the proper techniques of:

T-Push

C-Cuts

Shuffles 



At South Windsor Youth Hockey Goalie Instruction, Goaltenders will learn to feel comfortable, not just using their stick to defend, but also becoming an “extra” defensive player when time and space permits. 

At South Windsor Youth Hockey Goalie Instruction, Goaltending drills will vary month-to-month. However, focus will never waiver from the fundamental base of developing proper Goalie technique. In addition, the plans will be followed at each level, that way, when promoted, the Goalie will be ready.

September

D, C, B, A

Stance

Five (5) Point

Trap, Catch, Pass

October

D, C, B, A (with line)

Stance (+ Net Off)

Box

Ladder Drill

Up, Over and Back

November

D, C, B, A (with line)

Box (+ Net Off)

Backline Shuffle

Push Stop Recovery (+ Net Off)

December

D, C, B, A (with line)

Box (+ Net Off)

Five Hole (Left/Right)

Slide Drill

January

D, C, B, A (with line)

Box (+ Net Off)

Screen Shot

Skate Up; Slide; Back Down

February

D, C, B, A (with line)

Box (+ Net Off)

Five Point

Trap, Catch, Pass 

South Windsor Youth Hockey thanks you for allowing your daughter or son to participate in our program. We are committed to providing the best Goaltending experience possible. We believe in providing proper Goaltending education that will develop into proper Goaltending technique.

At South Windsor Youth Hockey, we would rather have a Goalie give up a goal, because proper technique was applied, than making a save the wrong way. Eventually, Goaltenders at the youth level will get bigger, faster, stronger. Eventually, they will make the save – the correct way.