Why the Basics Matter Most in Early Goalie Development

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In a previous article, Speed Without Efficiency Fails, we explored a common trap in goalie training: chasing faster movement before the body knows how to move efficiently. When speed is layered onto poor mechanics, it doesn’t create better performance—it creates breakdowns.

That same principle is especially important when working with young, developing goalies.

When parents watch young goalies, it’s easy to focus on what stands out—quick reactions, fast movement, and big, athletic saves. Those skills are exciting, and they do matter.
But for early-developing goalies, those skills work best only after a strong foundation is built first.

This is where the idea of Hard Skills before Soft Skills, introduced in The Little Book of Talent by Daniel Coyle, becomes so important in goalie development.

What Are Hard Skills?

Hard Skills are the basic technical movements a goalie relies on every shift. They are the building blocks that allow a goalie to move with control and consistency.

For young goalies, hard skills include:

• Proper stance and balance
• Controlled shuffles and T-pushes
• Basic butterfly mechanics and recoveries
• Strong edge control
• Correct posture and hand positioning

These skills may not look flashy, but they are essential. Without them, speed and reaction quickly turn into scrambling.

What Are Soft Skills?

Soft Skills are what most people notice:

• Quick reactions
• Reading plays
• Competing under pressure
• Making athletic saves

These skills are important—but they depend entirely on the quality of the Hard Skills underneath them.

When the foundation is weak, adding speed often leads to inconsistency and loss of confidence.

The Common Mistake: Chasing Speed Too Early

A common mistake in young goalie development is pushing for faster movement and quicker reactions before the basics are reliable.

When this happens:

• Balance breaks down
• Movements become rushed
• Bad habits form
• Performance becomes inconsistent in games

Simply put: speed doesn’t fix weak technique—it exposes it.

The Right Development Order

For young goalies, the best approach is simple and proven:

Build the basics first.
Add speed and reaction later.

When this order is respected:

• Movements stay controlled
• Confidence grows naturally
• Skills transfer better from practice to games
• Goalies improve faster over the long term

Trusted Resources That Support This Approach

This foundation-first model is supported by top coaches and long-term athlete development research.

 The Little Book of Talent – Daniel Coyle

• Introduces Hard Skills vs Soft Skills
• Emphasizes:
  • Chunking skills
  • Slow, precise repetition
  • Deep practice before speed
• Direct alignment with early goalie development: mechanics first, expression later

 Peak – Anders Ericsson

• Gold standard on deliberate practice
• Core principle:

You cannot shortcut skill acquisition with intensity or speed

• Strong support for slow, controlled reps before reactive performance

 Hockey Canada – LTAD Goalie Model

• Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD)
• Key themes:
  • “Learn to Train” before “Train to Compete”
  • Technical efficiency before speed and tactics

 USA Hockey – ADM Goaltending Resources

• Promotes age-appropriate progression
• Emphasizes:
  • Skill mastery before game chaos
  • Structure before competition

A Coach’s Perspective: Why Foundation Comes First

One goalie coach who consistently reinforces this approach is Pasco Valana, known for his clear breakdowns of edge control, posture, and foundational movement.

Across his teaching, Pasco regularly warns against chasing speed too early, especially with young goalies.

▶️ Goalie Skating – Edges Before Speed

 https://share.google/aimode/PDUZWLXqggz0ZUr3z
Suggested timestamp: ~2:00–6:00

Pasco explains that without strong edge control, moving faster only creates instability. Speed becomes useful only after balance and control are established.

▶️ Proper Goalie Stance & Posture Breakdown

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl-vQN6j0jk
Suggested timestamp: ~3:30–8:00

This video shows how posture drives balance, hand position, and movement efficiency. Poor posture often forces goalies into reactive, athletic saves instead of controlled positioning.

▶️ Without this as a foundation…you will always chase the play.

https://goaliecoachpasco.substack.com/p/without-this-as-a-foundationyou-will?subscribe_prompt=free

This article talks about establishing good habits first and then transition the goaltenders up the ladder of development.

The Big Takeaway for Parents

Across research, coaching experience, and long-term development models, the message is consistent:

Strong basics come first.
Game speed comes later.
Confidence and consistency follow.

When young goalies are developed in the right order, they don’t just improve—they enjoy the process more and build skills that last.

Train the foundation.
Then let the speed show up naturally.