One of the biggest misconceptions in the game of hockey today is the belief that great goaltenders are born, and not developed. Many people assume that hockey's greatest goaltenders are simply born with the ability to stop well over 90 percent of the shots they face during a game.

This could not be further from the truth. Although there are a select few athletes who are born with a muscular and nervous system that is particularly suited to playing the goaltending position, the reality is, great goaltenders are not born, they are developed.

Have you ever wondered why some goaltenders are able to develop goaltender-specific skills so quickly while others seem to struggle for an eternity to learn the same skills? Have you ever noticed how one goaltender is able to execute each skill with extreme precision, power and quickness while his goaltending partner seems to execute the same skills in slow motion, without any of the same power and control?

These differences can usually be attributed to the level of athleticism that each goaltender has acquired. Athleticism is composed of the athletic skills the athlete possesses and can be divided into two categories, genetic physical ability, or talent as it is often referred to, and developed physical ability.

Talent refers to the genetic potential the goaltender was born with. Everyone has talent - some goaltenders have a great deal of natural ability, while others were born with considerably less talent. Talent is truly a gift from mother nature. There are no athletes or coaches who can take credit for developing talent since it is inherited at birth.

Although goaltenders cannot control the genetic potential they were born with, there is a great deal that can be done to increase each goaltender's level of developed physical ability. By participating in a well thought out conditioning plan that is specific to the goaltending position, the goaltender can maximize their physical ability thus allowing them to develop goaltender-specific skills at a much more rapid rate than the goaltender who does not work to enhance their athleticism. At the same time, the goaltender who is committed to training their body off-ice will execute each of those skills will much more power, quickness and precision than the goaltender who lacks the athleticism to take their game to the next level.

Having talent is not enough. It must be supported by a complete conditioning program. That is how a goaltender reaches the highest levels of performance over the course of a season or career. It does not matter how talented you are - if you do not work at developing your athletic ability - at enhancing your strengths and eliminating your weaknesses - you will not reach your true potential, and there is nothing worse than wasted potential.

If you are serious about becoming the best athlete you can be, and in turn, becoming the best goaltender you can be then Off-Ice Training for Goaltenders is the perfect resource to help you reach your potential.

Multilateral Training and Balance: 34 exercises

Core Training: 20 exercises

Quickness and Agility Training: 30 exercises

Strength and Power Training: 58 lower body exercises, 30 upper body exercises

Chapter Listing

Off-Ice Training for Goaltenders has 7 chapters. Below is a complete list of the chapters in the book, featuring two sample chapters: Multilateral and Balance Training, and Strength and Power Training.

Chapter 1: The Importance of Recovery

Chapter 2: Periodizing Your Training Plan

Chapter 3: Multilateral and Balance Training

Chapter 4: Core Training

Chapter 5: Quickness and Agility Training

Chapter 6: Strength and Power Training

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Sample 1

Chapter 3
Multilateral and Balance Training

Multilateral Training

Have your partner stand with his hands in front of his body while holding two tennis balls. Have your partner drop one ball. Catch the ball before it hits the floor with either your left or right hand depending on whether your partner says "left" or "right" as the ball is falling towards the floor.

Balance Training

Assume your stance on a balance board. Squat up and down while standing on the balance board. On your partner's signal, lift your blocker or glove hand as if you were making a save.

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Sample 2

Chapter 6
Strength and Power Training

Strength and Power 1 - Lower Body

Start in a squatting position on the balls of your feet. Complete three small hops landing on the balls of the feet each time and spring back up immediately After completing the third small hop, complete one big hop springing up off the balls of the feet as high as possible. Repeat pattern three times for a total of nine small hops and three big hop.

Strength and Power 1 - Upper Body

In a close-hand push-up position lift one leg off the floor slightly. Complete the drill without allowing your leg to touch the floor. Switch legs and repeat drill.

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