Modern Revival of the T-Push
One of the biggest revivals in goaltending skating has been the re-emergence (and domination) of the T-push. As early as 10 years ago, the T-push was a dying breed. There were strong arguments that a goalie could move by shuffle alone. Two ideas were at work here:
But I argue the positives of the T-push far outweigh this negative. It is all in how the T-Push is used.
T-pushes, traditionally, were only used for cross-ice passes or making a desperate save across the crease. But through a shift in how the T-push is taught has resurrected the move, so much that it could arguably be more often used than the common shuffle.
For any of those disbelievers out there, check out these NHL goalies: Luongo, Huet, Price and Fleury. They all effectively use the T-push to cover short distances, and sometimes rarely use the shuffle. I will try to find some good clips of the T-push at work.
1) that the goalie should never be so far out of position as to warrant a T-push (which was only used to travel long distances);
2) that while you are pushing, your hips are not square to the puck (which is never a good thing).
But I argue the positives of the T-push far outweigh this negative. It is all in how the T-Push is used.
T-pushes, traditionally, were only used for cross-ice passes or making a desperate save across the crease. But through a shift in how the T-push is taught has resurrected the move, so much that it could arguably be more often used than the common shuffle.
The difference is the mindset of implementing the T-push. The T-push is no longer used for long moves. It is actually best suited for shorter moves. I try to tell my goalies that the T-push should be no longer than double your shoulder-width (as measured from the foot you push off with to the foot you stop with). Essentially, the goalie moves the same distance as if they took a shoulder width step sideways. Making the T-push a shorter move accomplishes two main objectives: a) it moves the goalie to the position faster (a T-push is a much stronger move than the shuffle); and b) it gives the goaltender better control. The goalie is then able to switch directions easier because they aren't thinking of using such a lengthy move, and they return to a distributed balance point, allowing them to change directions faster.
For any of those disbelievers out there, check out these NHL goalies: Luongo, Huet, Price and Fleury. They all effectively use the T-push to cover short distances, and sometimes rarely use the shuffle. I will try to find some good clips of the T-push at work.
Hope everyone's season is going well! All the best,
~Rox