How to Make a Butterfly Save in Hockey

Goaltending in hockey can be quite an art. You must be flexible and fast in order to be a good goaltender. The number one rule is to always keep your eye on the puck and make sure it stays out of the net using any means. One excellent way to save a puck from getting in the goal is by using the butterfly save. This will take out the entire low portion of the net. However, you must have flexibility to get into this position and strong legs to pop back up to be ready for a rebound shot.

Things You'll Need

  • Full goalie equipment
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stretch your leg muscles well before practicing butterfly saves. It is a good idea to stretch your leg muscles well before any practice or game, but you especially need to make sure to stretch out your groin, hamstrings and quads before working on butterfly saves. This helps to ensure you don't tear anything during the game or at practice.

    • 2

      Drop your bottom down toward the ice, like you were sitting in a chair. You want your weight to be balanced between both feet evenly and you should be standing more on the inside edges of your blades. Keep the flat foot of your stick down hard on the ice to block your 5-hole.

    • 3

      Square up to the puck. This is something that you should do whenever the puck is in your zone. Make sure that you are taking away space between the puck and your net and also make sure the shooter does not have a lot of net to shoot at, with you in the way. This includes taking away the shooters' angle, so they have to pass the puck, or risk shooting it at you and you blocking it.

    • 4

      Wait for the shot. In goaltending, timing is everything. You need to make sure you wait for the shooter to take the shot before you commit to the butterfly save. If you drop too soon, the shooter will lift the puck over you, and possibly score. If you drop too late, the puck will go past your feet and into the net.

    • 5

      Push your feet outward and your knees down. You can't just merely drop to make a butterfly save. Instead, you need to force your ankles outward, so you slide out on the instep of your foot, and at the same time, force your knees down hard, landing squarely on the inside of your knees and ensuring the pads meet in the middle to close the 5-hole. Still keep your stick blade down on the ice to cover the 5-hole as you butterfly.