Getting a good, steady ready position is the first thing goalies should learn how to do. Since during a game goalies are almost
always in the ready position, it's important to get it right the first time, and not to get any bad habits.
In the ready position, your knees should be bent at all times. This helps you move faster and react faster to quick shots. Your catching glove should be open and out in front of you a little. The only time your that glove should be closed is when the puck is in it! I like to hold my glove higher than my knees because it's easier and faster to bring your glove down, rather than bring it up.
Kelly Hrudey is a great example of a goalie who holds his glove high.
Your stick should
always be on the ice. It's really important to get this right
Stick on the ice at all times! Even when moving from side-to-side or post-to-post,
keep your stick on the ice. The puck might hit a stick or skate and deflect right at you and it will probably be on the ice(where your stick should be!!). Your stick should not be touching the toes of your skates. If your stick is against the toes of your skates, and a puck hits your stick, you will give out a nice big rebound and you will have less control where it does go. Your stick should be placed at a small angle and far enough in front of your feet so it doesn't touch them. You should always keep your head up when in the ready position.
Your legs should be independant from your arms. When you move your legs, your arms don't move with them. You should be ready to move in
any direction at
any time. You should be comfortable when in your ready position. Try not to lean to far forwards, or backwards, it's a common mistake. Get a nice balanced position. Remember to always bend your knees. Be balanced and find the center of gravity. And above all else, relax! Don't think, react!
ButterFly:
The butterfly is pretty simple and easy to do. All it is really is falling to your knees. Push your feet out to the sides to cover the maximum amount of net possible. Remember that this save should be used with low shots, screened shots, or shots from close range. You must also remember to always keep your stick on the ice! Your stick has to be covering the five-hole. It might sound easy to remember and do, but it is the most common mistake, even the best of the best goalies do it sometimes. Your catching glove should be open(as usuall) and out in front a bit, and keep it closer to your legs on lower shots to cover the gap. Your buterfly save should be as compact as possible. You can't really do anything with your blocker because it's holding your stick on the ice, unless a shot comes to your blocker side of course. After you've gone down in the buttefly position, you must learn to get back up very fast! It's really hard to move side to side from your knees, it's much easier on your feet. This is another good thing to work on during practices, getting up and down faster. Do five to ten in a row, or so. It'll build the muscles in your legs as well as help you go faster!
"Stacking The pads":
This Is the Position that is least used in hockey and it should be because it's hard, A bit Messy and Cannot be Recovered From. This Position is used from the Butterfly Position. It is Usd when a Player with the puck is coming across the crease, Player is doing A Wrap-Around Or when You Are unsure of where the puck is(example, Mad Scramble).
When You Are down in The Butterfly All You have to do is fall onto a side. You try to get the Pads infront of the Puck,not your face or chest. So if the Puck is on the left side of the net,you would fall onto your right side. You Do Not fall on your back or shoulder. The Side of your body should be along the floor. Once You Are down you must either put the Catching Glove or Blocker and Stick in the Air(depending on the side your on),just in case the puck goes high. If A player tries to Deke Or pass you should turn Flat on your back and cover as much ice as possible(don't worry about the top of the net which should be all open).
You see to chose this position is a Gamble but you must use it every once in a while.
--Khushi Chahal
Example 2
Other Tips:
