One of the problems with break away drills is that rarely, unless the coach is on them, do they execute at game speed. This leaves the goalie with too much time to think and their timing is off. Its not surprising that he might drop early, back in too far or other wise not perform as he would in a game. Also, many times these drills are saved for last part of the practice session to add FUN for the out players. By this time the goalie has been worked hard and has been "thinking" about his instruction.
My little guy has taken breakaways to a near art form going over 90% both in game and in practice. The secret.....POPA GOAL TENDING breakaway method and the popa goal tending mechanics of angles/positioning.
In the Popa(former University of Michigan G Coach) method it is simplified beyond belief. The goalie only need watch for 2 things on a break coming down the middle. When the player reaches the hash marks he sees if the skater is hard on his edges or coasting. Coasting and he can be aggressive with a poke or other attack move. IF the player is skating hard then he need only take two hard strides back from his max positional range. The player will have time for one deke or commits to the left or right. Your son would then only have to hit the corner of the crease(where the line straight out from the post meets the edge of the paint.
Now, many coaches want the kids to skate out to the hash marks and begin a reverse, closing the gap between them and the skaters. WHY? Why ask your goalie to be under the total control of the shooter? Why not let the goalie control the shooter instead? There is ZERO reason to going out that far. Each backward cut can take them off angle or get behind in the play. Each cut as the gap closes leaves a chance for the shooter to catch the goalie unprepared.
To find your sons max positional range have him start at post coverage, one skate heal tight to the post. Take two HARD strides top center and stop HARD with the same skate he pushed off with. This should place him square and somewhere between 6-8 inches outside the blue(little guys) to halfway to the hash marks for the older goalies. Age 12 and my Son hits just shy of half way to the hash marks. This also grows as the goalie does. He need only repeat the process to adapt to his growth, to adjust his max positional range.
This is where the goalie will HOLD until the skater reaches the hash marks. With the skater going hard on his edges, the goalie will execute two hard strides backward, recognize the deke or side commitment of the shooter and then hit the corner of the crease. A full 98% of breaks down the middle will have the puck released with in inches of that point. IF you son can learn this break method you can expect him to be over 90% in game OR practice. By holding he is in control and at game speed or not WILL make a vast majority of the stops.
For those unfortunate enough to attempt to coast in on him and look down....well, they will fig it out. lol There is nothing in the rules that says a goalie can not CHECK an attacking puck carrier. The poke check is also taught kinda wrong by most coaches. They teach a goalie to try to knock the PUCK away. What do players do? Pull the puck to the other side and go around an out of position and extended goalie! instead, "shoot the gap"! A player coasting will be either protecting the puck OR carrying it to a side, not straight out front. The gap between the players puck side skate and the puck is where you aim the stick. 99% of the time the player will attempt to draw the puck to the other side. They will lose control of it OR deliver it right to your sons stick. ONLY on a coasting player....
If you can find a POPA GOAL TENDING break away clinic, they are worth their weight in gold. Expensive as heck....you can also pick up his video on the topic at popagoaltending.com(expensive as heck cept after a clinic) My son has used this for 3 years now and is known for his skill at break aways. His Coaches do not bat an eye when an opponent gets a break away.
It is the entire popa positioning/angles and break method that allowed him to achieve a .987 Save Percentage and a .954 GAA....yes that is not a typo. less than 1! He has had other exceptional coaching from Jukka Ropponen and the guys at Maksymum Elite Goal tending in Rochester NY (ESL sports centre) but Popa gave him the MAP that let him use the skills taught to him by the others for max results.
feel free to email me for more in depth discussion.
PS...when practice is done take the little guy for an ice cream or whatever. Enjoy the time and be as positive as possible. Let him start any discussions regarding his performance. Never blame the Defense and dont let HIM use that as an out. we are the last line of defense. They can contribute to a goal allowed BUT ultimately it is we goalies that carry that burden. We even have to defend our goal against their stupidity! lol
