Unlocking Success: This Pro Goalies' Secret Weapon is Often Overlooked in Minor Hockey!

Video analysis has evolved into an essential tool for players and goaltenders across all levels of hockey, from junior leagues to college and professional arenas. As you've likely seen on TV, teams now have iPads  on the bench, providing instant access to analysis. This real-time feedback enables players to learn and adapt swiftly during the game. Reflecting on my own playing days, I always reviewed video footage with my goalie coach. Even after challenging games, I found immense value in dissecting the game from a new perspective. Often, what seemed like a bad performance in the heat of the moment turned out to be more positive upon review. Similarly, analyzing successful outings revealed areas for improvement that weren't apparent during or right after the game.

Why should you do it?

Video analysis is a powerful tool that allows goalies of all levels to review their performance from a different perspective. While you may feel like you know what happened during a game, watching it on video can provide valuable insights that you may have missed in the heat of the moment. By reviewing your gameplay, you can identify patterns, tendencies, and areas where you can make adjustments to improve your performance. Obviously, on-ice practices are extremely important to your development. But are you really implementing what you are learning in practice into your game? If yes, are you doing it properly? Video analysis can answer those questions.

Identifying strengths and weaknesses

One of the key benefits of video analysis is that it allows you to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a goalie. By watching yourself in action, you can see what you're doing well and where you may be struggling. Are you consistently making saves on shots from certain angles? Are you having trouble controlling rebounds? Are there patterns in the types of goals you're allowing? By identifying these areas, you can focus your training efforts on improving specific aspects of your game.

Learning from mistakes

Nobody's perfect, and even the best goalies make mistakes from time to time. However, what sets great goalies apart is their ability to learn from those mistakes and make adjustments moving forward. Video analysis allows you to closely examine the plays where things didn't go as planned. Maybe you were out of position on a goal against, or perhaps you missed an opportunity to make a key save. By analyzing these moments, you can understand what went wrong and develop strategies to prevent similar mistakes in the future.

Understanding the game better

In addition to evaluating your individual performance, video analysis can also help you develop a better understanding of the game as a whole. By watching game film, you can observe how opposing teams attack and identify their tendencies in different situations. Are they looking to shoot from the point on the power play? Are they trying to create scoring chances off the rush? By recognizing these patterns, you can anticipate plays more effectively and put yourself in a better position to make saves.

Knowing what to address in practice

So, how can you incorporate video analysis into your training routine? After each game, take some time to review the footage and make notes on what you see. Look for patterns, both positive and negative, and identify areas where you can make improvements. Then, take what you've learned and apply it to your practice sessions, focusing on specific drills and exercises designed to address your weaknesses and reinforce your strengths. For a professional perspective, schedule a video analysis session with me Book Now!

With today's technology, the process of recording and sharing video footage for analysis has become remarkably accessible. All you need is a smartphone or an iPad. Most rinks already have their own recording system. This means that you can easily capture your games and practices and share them to receive feedback. You then have access to all your analyzed videos to review whenever and wherever you want. The ability to work on refining your skills every day, regardless of your location, is an invaluable asset. Video analysis is a vital part of the game at the pro level, but I think it can even be more beneficial to young goalies. Give yourself an edge and elevate your game by taking advantage of it now!