libterm.com A stick save is a crucial technique in ice hockey where the goalie uses their stick to block or deflect the puck away from the net, preventing a goal. Mastering stick saves enhances your ability to defend the goal in high-pressure situations and maintain control during fast-paced gameplay. Explore the full article to discover tips and drills to improve your stick save skills effectively.
Table of Comparison
| Save Technique | Stick Save | Butterfly Save |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Goalie blocks shots using the stick | Goalie drops to knees, pads spread out to cover lower net |
| Primary Use | Quick deflections and rebounds | Low shots and net coverage |
| Advantages | Fast reaction, effective for close-range shots | Maximizes lower net coverage, strong positional play |
| Disadvantages | Limited net coverage, less effective low saves | Reduced mobility, vulnerable to high shots |
| Common Usage | Used in quick hand saves and poking the puck away | Standard technique in modern hockey goaltending |
Introduction to Hockey Goalie Save Techniques
Stick save and butterfly save are two fundamental hockey goalie techniques designed to block shots effectively. The stick save involves using the goalie's stick to deflect the puck away from the net, capitalizing on quick reflexes and precise stick positioning. The butterfly save, characterized by dropping to the knees with pads spread wide, maximizes lower net coverage and is essential for stopping low shots and protecting the crease.
Overview of Stick Save and Butterfly Save
Stick save and butterfly save are two distinct goaltending techniques used in ice hockey to stop pucks effectively. The stick save involves using the goalie's stick to block or deflect shots, primarily targeting low, sharp angles near the ice surface. In contrast, the butterfly save requires the goalie to drop to their knees with pads flared outwards, covering the lower part of the net and creating a larger blocking surface against low and mid-height shots.
Mechanics of a Stick Save
The mechanics of a stick save involve precise hand-eye coordination, where the goalie uses the paddle or blade of the stick to deflect or stop the puck, often requiring quick reflexes and fine motor control. In contrast, a butterfly save primarily uses the goalie's body positioning and leg pads dropped to the ice to block low shots, relying more on lateral movement and hip flexibility. Stick saves are essential for intercepting shots that are just out of reach of the body, making them critical for controlling rebounds and puck handling in the crease.
Mechanics of a Butterfly Save
The mechanics of a butterfly save involve the goalie dropping to their knees while spreading their legs outward to cover the lower part of the net, utilizing the inside edges of the skates to maximize surface area. This technique enables quick lateral movement and effective blocking of low shots, especially in fast-paced hockey scenarios. In contrast, stick saves rely primarily on using the goalie stick to deflect or stop the puck, focusing more on hand-eye coordination rather than full-body positioning.
Situational Usage: When to Use Stick vs Butterfly
Stick saves excel during high shots or when goaltenders need to quickly deflect pucks away from the net, especially in situations with limited mobility or close-range rebounds. Butterfly saves offer superior coverage for low shots by dropping the goalie's knees to the ice, making them ideal in breakaway scenarios or when the shooter aims for the lower corners. Choosing between stick and butterfly saves depends on puck height, shooter position, and the goalie's ability to read the play in real time.
Advantages of the Stick Save
The stick save offers superior control and precision for goaltenders, allowing them to block the puck effectively with the blade of the stick while maintaining balance. This technique is especially advantageous in close-range situations where quick reflexes and accurate puck handling are crucial. Compared to the butterfly save, the stick save enables faster recovery and more dynamic movement, enhancing overall goalie agility.
Advantages of the Butterfly Save
The Butterfly save technique in hockey goaltending offers enhanced coverage of the lower net area by dropping the goalie's knees while keeping the upper body upright, allowing for quicker lateral movement and better rebound control. This method increases the goaltender's ability to block low shots compared to the Stick save, which primarily relies on using the stick and skates to stop the puck. Its dominance in modern goaltending emphasizes superior pad positioning and improved efficiency against close-range and low-angle shots.
Limitations and Risks: Stick Save vs Butterfly
Stick save techniques in goalkeeping often face limitations in low, rapid rebounds where the narrow paddle may fail to cover sufficient ground, increasing the risk of second-chance scoring opportunities. Butterfly saves require the goalie to drop to the knees, which can limit lateral mobility and expose vulnerabilities to high shots or quick puck movements. Both styles carry risks: Stick saves may compromise control during aggressive puck plays, while butterfly saves can leave the upper body more exposed during diverse shooting angles.
Notable Goalies and Signature Save Styles
Henrik Lundqvist is renowned for his Stick Save technique, effectively using his stick to deflect low shots and control rebounds, a style that emphasizes precise positioning and quick reflexes. Jonathan Quick popularized the Butterfly Save, dropping to his knees with pads spread wide to cover the lower net, a method that revolutionized goaltending by combining agility with a comprehensive blocking stance. These signature save styles highlight the evolution of goalie techniques, with Lundqvist's stick work focusing on puck control and Quick's butterfly approach maximizing net coverage and flexibility.
Choosing the Right Save: Training Tips for Goalies
Stick save and butterfly save techniques each target different shooting angles and player strategies, making them essential skills for goalies to master. Training should prioritize improving hand-eye coordination for stick saves and strengthening leg flexibility for effective butterfly saves. Regular drills incorporating both saves enhance reaction time and adaptability, ensuring goalies maintain solid defense against diverse offensive tactics.
Stick save Infographic
