The best examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey

Real examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey

Let’s start on the ice, not on the whiteboard. Here are real examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey that show how elite goalies think about angles, depth, and shot threats.

Picture a standard 2-on-1 rush. A modern goalie will usually hold middle-depth: not way out at the top of the crease, not stapled to the goal line. They’ll line up square to the puck carrier, then subtly “cheat” a few inches toward the passing lane by shifting their inside skate. That tiny adjustment keeps them centered on the shooter while making the pass across the slot harder to one-time. This is a textbook example of how small positioning tweaks can beat high-skill plays.

Another classic example of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey is how goalies manage screens. Instead of guessing, they’ll use a “head lean” around the screener, keeping their chest facing the puck while peeking around the traffic. The body stays square to the puck’s lane, not the shooter’s body. That difference matters when the shot changes direction.

These are the kind of real examples we’ll unpack in detail.

Depth management: concrete examples of how far out to play

Depth is how far you are from the goal line. Too deep and shooters see a lot of net; too far out and you get burned on passes and dekes. Let’s walk through a few specific examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey related to depth.

Breakaway from the red line

On a clean breakaway starting near the red line, most modern goalies will:

• Start at or just outside the top of the crease as the attacker gains the blue line.
• Match the attacker’s speed by backing in smoothly, never crossing legs, keeping their chest on the puck.
• Aim to arrive near the mid-crease just as the shooter hits the hash marks.

This is a great example of controlled retreat. If you hold too much depth (staying out too far), you get walked around. If you back in too early, you give the shooter too much net and time.

Point shot with traffic

On a point shot with two players battling in front:

• Start closer to the top of the crease when the puck is high and the play is set.
• As the shot is released, many goalies will retrace slightly (sliding back a few inches toward the goal line) to give themselves more reaction time on tips and rebounds.

This balance between aggressive depth before the shot and slight retreat at release is another example of modern goalkeeper positioning. It reflects what you’ll see in NHL tracking data, where goalies adjust depth based on shot location and traffic patterns.

For more on reaction time and visual tracking, resources from organizations like the National Eye Institute (NEI) are helpful for understanding how the brain processes fast-moving objects.

Angles and squareness: best examples from rush and in-zone play

Angles are the backbone of all the best examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey. Being “square” simply means your chest and hips are facing the puck, not just the shooter’s body.

Wide rush on the wing

Imagine a winger flying down the right side with the puck on their outside hand:

• The goalie sets their angle by lining up nose–puck–center of net.
• They match the speed of the attacker, shuffling laterally while maintaining the same distance from the shooter.
• The goalie keeps their short-side shoulder sealed to the post line, respecting the quick shot, but leaves enough room to push across if the attacker cuts to the middle.

This is a clean example of how angles and depth work together: the goalie never chases the player; they track the puck.

High slot catch-and-shoot

On a pass from the corner to a shooter in the high slot:

• The goalie stays square to the puck in the corner, not overcommitting.
• As the pass is made, they perform a short, powerful lateral push (T-push or shuffle) to arrive square to the new puck location.
• The key is beating the pass: the goalie wants to be set (feet quiet, body stable) as the shot is released.

This is a good example of why great goalies look calm: their positioning lets them get there early, so they don’t have to scramble.

Post play: VH, RVH, and real examples behind the net

Post play is where a lot of goals are either saved or given away. Modern goalies rely heavily on variations of VH (vertical-horizontal) and RVH (reverse VH). These are some of the most important examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey around the net.

Wraparound threat

Puck carrier behind the net, threatening a wraparound:

• Many goalies today use RVH: inside leg down along the post, outside leg up, shoulder and head sealing the short side.
• The goalie’s eyes stay ahead of the puck as it travels behind the net, so they’re already sealed on the post when the attacker tries to stuff it.
• If the attacker passes into the slot instead, the goalie can push out of RVH into a butterfly slide, attacking the new angle.

This is a clear example of a modern positioning strategy that has evolved as players got better at quick plays from below the goal line.

Low-angle shot from the goal line

On a shot from just above the goal line:

• The goalie may choose a standing post lean if the shooter has no passing options, staying on their feet and using their body to seal the short side.
• If there are dangerous passing lanes, they might drop into RVH to be ready for a quick pass to the slot.

Choosing between these options is a great example of situational positioning: same location, different strategy based on threats.

For background on how technique has evolved, coaching materials from organizations like USA Hockey provide good context on goalie development.

Screens, tips, and rebounds: examples of smart crease management

Screens and rebounds are where positioning beats raw reflex. Let’s look at a few concrete examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey when vision is limited.

Net-front screen on a point shot

Defenseman at the blue line, heavy traffic in front:

• The goalie first establishes their angle to the puck, not to the screener’s body.
• They use a head lean to look around the screen while keeping their chest square to the puck lane.
• As the shot comes, they drop into butterfly with controlled depth, often a bit deeper than on a clear shot to buy reaction time for tips.

This is one of the best examples of how elite goalies “see around” traffic without losing their angle.

Rebound control and positioning

On a low pad shot from the wing:

• The goalie angles their pad to direct the rebound into the corner instead of the slot.
• Immediately after the save, they reset their angle by getting their chest back to the middle of the net and pushing into position for a second shot.

Good rebound positioning is not just about making the first save; it’s about making sure the second shot is either impossible or low-danger.

Sports medicine and conditioning resources, like those from the Mayo Clinic, can help goalies build the lower-body strength and mobility needed to move efficiently in these tight crease battles.

Odd-man rushes: real examples of how goalies buy time for defenders

Odd-man rushes are where panic can ruin positioning. Here are a few real examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey when your team is outnumbered.

2-on-1 from the blue line

Classic coaching advice: goalie takes the shooter, defense takes the pass. In practice, that looks like this:

• The goalie sets up on the puck carrier, matching their speed and staying square.
• They hold a middle depth—not too aggressive, so they can still move laterally if the pass gets through.
• If the defender successfully takes away the pass, the goalie can challenge more as the shooter closes in.

This is a clean example of shared responsibility: the goalie’s positioning is based on trust in the defender’s role.

3-on-2 with a high trailer

On a 3-on-2 where a third attacker is joining late:

• The goalie prioritizes the puck carrier and the most central threat.
• They keep their depth a bit more conservative than on a simple 2-on-1, to be ready for a quick lateral pass or a drop to the trailer.

Here, smart positioning is about respecting the middle of the ice and not getting dragged too far toward one wing.

Zone play and puck movement: examples include point cycles and east–west passes

In sustained offensive zone pressure, the puck moves fast. Good goalies don’t chase; they rotate on rails.

Point-to-point passes

When the puck moves from one defenseman at the blue line to the other:

• The goalie performs a controlled shuffle across the crease, keeping the same depth.
• They stay square to the new puck carrier before the shot is taken.

This is a simple example of how staying calm and balanced lets you handle quick puck movement without opening holes.

Cross-ice one-timers

On a pass from one faceoff dot to the other for a one-timer:

• The goalie pushes across with a butterfly slide, aiming to arrive with their chest facing the new shooter and their body still.
• Many goalies will play slightly deeper in these situations, because the east–west movement makes far-side shots more dangerous.

These real examples show why reading the play and anticipating passes is as important as raw speed.

Modern trends (2024–2025): how elite goalies are adjusting positioning

If you watch recent NHL seasons, you’ll notice a few trends that shape the best examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey today:

• Slightly deeper default depth: With more east–west passing and cross-ice one-timers, many goalies are playing a touch deeper on power plays to improve lateral recovery.
• More RVH, but smarter use: Goalies are still using RVH on posts, but coaches are pushing them to avoid “living” in RVH when the puck is higher in the zone, to reduce hip stress and backdoor vulnerability.
• Data-informed positioning: Teams use tracking data to show where goals are most often scored (slot, royal road passes, tips). Goalies are taught positioning patterns that prioritize these high-danger areas.

You don’t need pro-level analytics to benefit from these trends. You can borrow the principles:

• Play a bit deeper when you expect cross-ice passes.
• Be selective with RVH; use it when the puck is below the dots and near the goal line.
• Center your body on the middle threat, especially on power plays.

FAQ: Short answers with real examples

Q: What are some basic examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey for beginners?
For newer goalies, start with three simple habits: stay centered between the posts, keep your chest facing the puck (not the player’s body), and match the puck’s movement with small shuffles instead of big lunges. A classic example of this is shuffling across the crease as the puck moves from one point man to the other, keeping the same depth and staying square.

Q: Can you give an example of how a goalie should position on a breakaway?
On a breakaway, start near the top of the crease as the attacker hits the blue line, then back in smoothly so you arrive around mid-crease at the hash marks. Stay square to the puck, keep your stick centered, and avoid backing in too early. This is a textbook example of using depth and angle together.

Q: What are good examples of adjustments for screened shots?
On a screened point shot, set your angle to the puck first, then use a head lean to look around the screen without turning your body. Drop into butterfly a bit deeper than usual to give yourself more time to react to tips and rebounds. That combination of angle, head position, and controlled depth is one of the best examples of modern screen management.

Q: How do the best examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey apply to youth and recreational levels?
The same ideas scale down. Youth and recreational goalies can focus on three things: staying centered in the crease, facing the puck at all times, and choosing a simple depth rule of thumb (for example, top of the crease on rushes, mid-crease on in-zone shots, slightly deeper on screens). These simple examples of positioning habits make a big difference even without pro-level speed.

Q: Is RVH an example of a positioning strategy every goalie should use?
RVH is a modern example of post play positioning that works well against wraparounds and low-angle plays, but it’s not the only option. Younger or less flexible goalies might use more standing post play or traditional VH until their hips and core strength are ready. The key is choosing the post technique that lets you seal the short side while still being able to move.

If you treat these situations as repeatable patterns—rushes, odd-man breaks, screens, tips, and in-zone cycles—you’ll start to see the same examples of goalkeeper positioning strategies in ice hockey over and over. That’s when the game slows down, and your positioning starts doing half the work for you.