IS YOUR GOALIE WAISTING PRACTICE TIME? HERE’S HOW TO FIX IT

By Maurice Tanel

Bridge the gap between preparation and practice with the right mindset and tools.

Being better prepared for team practices starts before your goalie steps on the ice. It’s not just about showing up—it’s about showing up with the knowledge, focus, and confidence to apply their skills with purpose.

Most team coaches are doing their best to run fast-paced practices, but they’re not always equipped with the specialized knowledge needed to develop goaltenders. That’s not a knock on their effort—it’s just the reality that goaltending is a unique position that requires a different approach. Without proper goalie-specific guidance, many young goalies end up working hard but not necessarily improving.

The truth is, most students go to practice without fully understanding what they’re trying to get out of that practice. And while effort is important, it’s even more important that effort is aligned with a clear training objective. For real improvement to occur, goalies need to approach each drill with purpose—understanding the skill they’re working on, how to perform it correctly, and why it matters.

That’s why we believe in a “train with purpose” approach. Every drill should be driven by an objective, every rep should build awareness, and every session should move the goalie one step forward.

To support this mindset, we provide a resource designed to help goalies prepare off the ice—so they can get more out of their time on it. The Goalie Toolbox offers a library of instructional videos that break down core techniques, highlight key skill cues, and explain the purpose behind each movement. This gives goalies a clear mental picture of what success looks like—so when they arrive at team practice, they’re focused, prepared, and able to apply what they’ve learned.

And it’s not just for goalies—coaches can benefit too. The same video resources give team coaches a visual reference and shared language they can use to better support their goalies, even if they aren’t goalie specialists.

When a goalie shows up with a plan and a purpose, practice becomes more than just time on the ice—it becomes a platform for real development.

Is your goalie getting what they need from their practice?
Train with purpose. Prepare with intention. And make every session count.

Maurice (MOE) Tanel is the Program Director of TEAM Shutout Goalie School.

For further information on this or any other questions you may have please feel free to contact him by email at [email protected]