What are the Finnish trends with movement?

[MTNGoalie]

We have been following basically anything we can that is written in English or released on video by GoaliePro and find the information invaluable and easy to use, but I do have some questions regarding the Finnish approach to lateral movement.

Why is there so much emphasis on using longer and more shuffles on lateral plays, including long distance lateral plays?

Do you truly believe that the t-push is not a useful tool in today's game?

Why use two or three shuffles when one powerful t-push and then set could be used?

Is there emphasis placed on allowing the shooter to have more short side space available as they are receiving and releasing a one-timer, for example?

Is it preferrable to have a goalie moving into a lateral save rather than having them get over and set before or just as the open player receives the pass?


I do understand the need for squareness and being on both inside edges as much as possible, but would still love further explanation as we have seen goalies that only shuffle; with bad consequences. The goalies that only shuffle often get burned on longer lateral plays or if they do make the save are found stretching to make the save and sending out large rebounds.

[Jukka Ropponen]

Travis,

This is all based on the game analysis and maintaining the save readiness and optimal position at all times if possible. We did some extensive studies on this and discovered that there were a trend were some coaches did teach even small moves around the crease with T-pushes and drilled those moves extensively. This resulted a lot of problems for those goalies and movements were not smooth rather than jagged etc.

Overall to make a long story short there is no need for t-pushes during the game too often other than when goalie is out and there will be a long lateral pass and goalie needs to move for that.

Having said this, I have to add a disclaimer that there is not absolute right or wrong way, we have just discovered that this seems to work the best for the goalies we do work with.

Jukka