Goaltender Technique – The Shuffle – Hockey Resource

1. To perform the shuffle dig your inside skate edge into the ice with the leg (outside leg) opposite to the direction of travel.
2. Transfer all your weight to the outside leg.
3. Once this is done, move the inside leg in the direction you want to travel.
4. Push off with the outside leg.
5. Shift your weight back to normal.

As you improve on this technique, the movement should become fluid, steps 2, 3 and 4 should occur almost simultaneously.

See the goalie drills page, specifically the warmup drills if you want ideas on how to practice this technique

A few points to note:

• Keep both skates facing forward, they should not move from the basic position
• The technique is performed from the basic stance, the goaltender should be ready for a shot at any moment.
• The movement involves only the legs, the upper body should always be facing the puck.
• Skates should always remain in contact with the ice to ensure proper balance.
• SHORT quick movements, this technique is for small adjustments not large distances
• The inside skate should be scraping the ice surface (making snow) while moving