InGoal Magazine December 2011 : Page 44
Aggressive Poke Checks and Hook Checks should not be a lost art by Joe Messina Head Instructor and VP Operations, Bandits Goalie School And Goalie coach for Davenport University T he aggressive poke check and hook check are two important save selections for all goaltenders to develop. Unfortunately, even skilled professional goalies are lost when it comes to using their sticks effectively in certain situations. But the proper use of these two poke checks allow goaltenders to be aggressive and challenge shooters with greater confidence while still taking away valuable net and ice. In these situations, the goalie has two basic options: The first is to retreat with the shooter and follow him across the top of the crease and stop him on the backhand in a butterfly or a half split. The other is to stand high in the crease and claim the ice at the front of the net. By taking a short step to the puck with the blocker foot, the goalie can actually force the shooter to pull the puck to his backhand. When this happens, Aggressive Poke Check the goalie should extend the stick to the center and execute a pad stack to take away the short The aggressive poke check can be used in a side and defend against the shot. It should be variety of situations where the goalie chooses noted that this is a very aggressive move and to be aggressive. once a goalie finds themselves backing up or retreating, he should continue and abandon For example: When a left-handed shot is the aggressive poke check and use another save sweeping to the net from the left wing (blocker selection. It should also be pointed out this type side for a “normal” side goalie that catches with of poke check is most difficult against shooters the left hand). If the player is under pressure coming down their off wing. That’s because the from a defenseman who is trying to force him shooters can easily pull the puck back and out to the outside, the natural reaction will be for of the range of the goaltenders extended stick. the attacker to lean to the center to defend the puck, and transfer his weight to the outside edge Another situation that lends itself to this type of of the lead skate. As this happens, the attacker aggressive poke check is when the goalie moves will attempt to pull the puck from his forehand out quickly to challenge a left-hand shooter on to his backhand and pull the goalie across the the blocker side who has just picked up a pass top of the crease. and is moving towards the net. As the goalie 44 InGoal Magazine December 2011
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