Positions · Goalie

Depth and angle

How far out should a goalie play, and when should that change?

Your state

Not started

Open the lesson steps below to move forward.

Why it matters

Concepts earn their place by changing a decision on the ice.

The right depth makes ordinary saves look easy. The wrong depth makes elite reflexes necessary every night.

Coaching note · Developing

Top of the crease on shots; retreat on passes.

Teaching lens · Teen (13–17)

Pair every read with the decision it changes, then rep it against real resistance.

Cue: “What was your second option on that play?”

Session dose · 15–25 minutes, with one game-speed progression.

The reads

Is the threat a shot or a pass?
How much time do I have to recover laterally?
Is the shooter's head up?

Depth points along the angle line

Every position sits on the line from puck to net center.
High depth blocks more net but costs lateral recovery.
Convert depth as the threat changes.

Key points on the ice

Every position sits on the line from puck to net center.
High depth blocks more net but costs lateral recovery.
Convert depth as the threat changes.

Common mistakes

Each mistake is paired with the fix a coach would actually say.

Same depth for every situation.

Deeper for lateral threats, higher for pure shots.

Drifting off the angle line while moving.

Move along the line from the puck to the net center.

Decision scenario

Read the conditions first — the right answer is the best one under these conditions, not a universal rule.

A shooter has the puck at the top of the circle with a teammate at the back door.

Practice this on purpose

Only reps that are feasible in your practice reality (any setting · 20 min) are shown. A logged rep is evidence for one named learning outcome only — never for another position's concept.

Off icesolo12 min

Hip and ankle prep block

Own the joint range that deep edges and low stances demand.

190/90 hip switches, controlled, two minutes.
2Half-kneeling ankle rocks, both sides.
3Lateral hip airplanes for single-leg control.

Progression

· Add load with a light plate.
· Add a pause at end range.
· Pair with an on-ice edge session same day.

Needs: home space · just you · non-contact.

Confirm the intended learning outcome

Pick the outcome this rep was for. Atlas never assumes what a rep proved.

Self-report override

The guided path to Understood is the decision scenario, and to Practiced is logging a rep. These buttons are your own honest self-report — Atlas does not verify them, and views or clicks never count as mastery.