What determines which goalie gets to play.....

extracheeseplease · Post by **extracheeseplease** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 11:15 pm

Any thoughts on how coaches determine which goalie gets to play in any given game? If there is a choice of 3 varsity goalies, what do they go by, save percentage, practices, or politics? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Undercover Hockey Lover · Thu Dec 06, 2007 11:32 pm

A little of all three...but let's pose this question to you. Are any of the three even close to being head and shoulders better. Or do the coaches choose a different goalie each game and seem to make the wrong choice? The big key is for one of them to gain the trust of the coaches and his teammates. Without that teams don't let it hang out like they should as the players always seem to be looking over their shoulders at the guy between the pipes. A successful team starts between the pipes. Is one of the three gaining the teams trust or have they all dribbled down their legs?

extracheeseplease · Post by **extracheeseplease** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 11:44 pm

Well, I see the players favoring one of the three but he is the youngest and did extremely well in the one game he did play in. Unfortunately, he being the youngest that dosen't necessarily put him at an advantage because his experience is limited at this point. But, given more opportunities, I believe he will prove himself a real bonus to the team. It makes perfect sense he needs to gain the trust of his teammates and can't argue how important the role a goalie has for a team. I guess sometimes you want to root for the underdog and hopes he gets more chances to play.

GRhawky · Post by **GRhawky** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:00 pm

Minnesota high school hockey IS politics

luvuvthegame · Post by **luvuvthegame** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 5:30 pm

It sounds like the job is up for grabs with three kids competing for a spot. My advice would be to counsel the player to COMPETE through adversity and create his own luck- become so good, so positive, so hungry, so relentless, and so competitive that the coach's decision is made for him. Teach him to be excited, positive, appreciative and mentally prepared for every opportunity, and that he should seek to create his own opportunities by COMPETING daily. Teach him also to be happy for his teammates' successes and to focus on the TEAM goals- he should never be mopey and withdrawn just because someone else got the start- it's OK to want the job, but if someone else on the team has it for the moment, be positive/supportive as he'd want them to be when it's his job. Tell him to be in control of what he can control, namely his work ethic and attitude and then the chips fall where they may. It's a great lesson for him to learn and it will serve him well far beyond the rink. Unless you've been at every practice, team meal, pre/post game speech, intermission speech, fundraiser, etc., you have no real way to assess all that is going into coaching decisions about playing time/starts. Obviously a rational coach will be trying to give his team a chance to win, but there are often other priorities that a coach at the high school level has when making decisions about who is playing where and when... Character issues, academic and behavioral issues, focus/work ethic in practice, developing a team for the next game/week/month/playoffs/next season, etc.- these are all things that enter the picture as a high school coach makes personnel decisions... Good luck.

extracheeseplease · Post by **extracheeseplease** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 5:55 pm

thanks luv...i appreciate all the feedback and will hopefully be able to convey that message to the goalie in this situation...i imagine when it is all said and done it will put a few hairs on his chest!

mnpuck1233 · Post by **mnpuck1233** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:09 pm

Well what i would do is i'd throw the best goalie out on the ice to start the game...i know its a little risky to put your best goalie in the game but thats what most teams do...right? wait maybe they put their second best goalie in the game...man i dont know what to tell you..

Undercover Hockey Lover · Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:45 pm

luvuvthegame wrote:It sounds like the job is up for grabs with three kids competing for a spot. My advice would be to counsel the player to COMPETE through adversity and create his own luck- become so good, so positive, so hungry, so relentless, and so competitive that the coach's decision is made for him. Teach him to be excited, positive, appreciative and mentally prepared for every opportunity, and that he should seek to create his own opportunities by COMPETING daily. Teach him also to be happy for his teammates' successes and to focus on the TEAM goals- he should never be mopey and withdrawn just because someone else got the start- it's OK to want the job, but if someone else on the team has it for the moment, be positive/supportive as he'd want them to be when it's his job. Tell him to be in control of what he can control, namely his work ethic and attitude and then the chips fall where they may. It's a great lesson for him to learn and it will serve him well far beyond the rink. Unless you've been at every practice, team meal, pre/post game speech, intermission speech, fundraiser, etc., you have no real way to assess all that is going into coaching decisions about playing time/starts. Obviously a rational coach will be trying to give his team a chance to win, but there are often other priorities that a coach at the high school level has when making decisions about who is playing where and when... Character issues, academic and behavioral issues, focus/work ethic in practice, developing a team for the next game/week/month/playoffs/next season, etc.- these are all things that enter the picture as a high school coach makes personnel decisions... Good luck.

In other words...whichever of the three that starts can't go out and dribble down their leg. One of them needs to earn the job.

luvuvthegame · Post by **luvuvthegame** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:09 am

And once he's earned it, he's gotta KEEP earning it, every day...

extracheeseplease · Post by **extracheeseplease** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:17 am

well, all i can say is if they can stand all that pressure at their young age then the world is an open door for them....and will build character that lasts long past the rink.

luvuvthegame · Post by **luvuvthegame** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:19 pm

Definitely!!! That's why kids NEED to be in some group activities, whether ice hockey, drama, music, whatever... As long as they are involved in something where they learn to work as a member of a team toward a common goal, learn what it means to overcome obstacles, learn personal responsibility/accountability, how to win and lose graciously, and what it means to sacrifice to achieve personal and collective goals, then they learn invaluable lessons! A kid on the ice isn't in hot water

It's not always easy, but nowhere worth going is easy to get to

Good luck!

thetender30 · Post by **thetender30** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:55 pm

hard work in practice

breakout · Post by **breakout** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:00 pm

Simple: STOP THE PUCK!