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Goalie T-push arrival

Move from near a post to a forward angle with a T-push, then brake into a balanced set position.

10U · 12U · 14U+Intermediate6 minutes1–1 players
Original drill diagram
Goalie T-push arrival: player positions and movement GTarget
G starts in front of the lower post of the net on the right, moves diagonally forward toward center, and stops beside the target cone. The short lower line is the reset direction. Mirror the station for the other post; no puck or shot is used. Original schematic; not to scale. Circles with numbers or letters mark players. Other markers and arrows are explained in the caption; some diagrams show puck or ball movement instead of skating. Red arrows show shots. Follow the written setup for spacing.

How to run it

Equipment: Skates, Hockey protective equipment, Goalie equipment, Stick, Cones, Net

  1. Use one goalie in full equipment and an empty net, with no shots. Put a target cone about 5 feet forward and 3 feet toward center from the left post, outside the travel line. Begin just in front of that post in a standing stance.
  2. Look toward a stopping spot beside the target. Turn the lead skate toward it and use the other skate to push across the short distance, keeping the stick in front.
  3. Before reaching the target, turn the lead skate across the travel direction to brake. Bring the trailing skate back into a balanced stance and hold still for two counts.
  4. Return to the post at an easy pace, reset, and repeat four times. Mirror the cone and starting post for four attempts on the other side within six minutes.
  5. Count arrivals that stop beside the target without an extra correction step. This station requires a previously introduced T-push and standing edge stop; it is not a first lesson in either skill.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Look, travel, arrive still.” Let the eyes identify the destination before the feet move.
  • Choose a short enough push that braking can remain controlled.
  • Finish with the feet under the body, ready for a next play even though no shot is used here.

Common mistakes

  • Goalie overshoots. Try: reduce push strength and begin braking earlier.
  • Goalie looks down at the feet. Try: identify the arrival spot aloud before starting.
  • Trailing leg remains stretched. Try: shorten the travel and rebuild the stance before the two-count hold.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier: bring the target 2 feet closer and rehearse one controlled arrival at a time.
  • Harder: alternate two nearby arrival spots named before each repetition, keeping both within a comfortable push.
Research context & source notes

Background sources for this drill’s skills and teaching principles.

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