What Age Should My Child Start Goalie Lessons?

Short answer: most goalies are ready for goalie specific coaching around age 7 or 8, in the U9 age group, once they can skate comfortably. Younger than that, the best thing a future goalie can do is skate as much as possible and try the net for fun at team practices. It is also never too late to start. Many of the goalies we coach began at U11 or U13.

Signs your child is ready

Age is only part of the answer. A child is usually ready for goalie lessons when:

• They ask for it. The goalies who improve fastest are the ones who want to be in net.
• They can skate forward, backward and stop without falling every few strides. Goalie skating builds on regular skating.
• They can move in the equipment. Goalie gear is heavy for young players. If they can get up from their knees on their own, they are ready to learn.
• They can focus for a full session. Our sessions are about 50 minutes on the ice.

What to focus on at each age

The right coaching changes as goalies grow. This is the order we follow at Shield Goaltending:

• U9 (about 7 and 8 years old): skating, balance, a proper stance, the butterfly and getting back up. Most of all, we want young goalies to fall in love with the position.
• U11: crease management, depth and angles. Many young goalies play too deep in their net, so we teach them to take away more of it.
• U13: puck tracking and rebound control. Watching the puck all the way into the body is what lets goalies make a second save.
• U15 and older: save selection in game situations and controlled movement at full speed.

At every age, skating comes first. A goalie who moves well gets set in time, stays square to the puck and is ready before the shot.

Group sessions or private lessons?

For young goalies we usually recommend starting with small group sessions. They get lots of repetitions, learn alongside other goalies and have fun doing it. Private lessons work best once a goalie has the basics and needs to fix one or two specific habits, or wants extra attention before a big season.

Is it too late to start?

No. Goalies who start at U11, U13 or even later can catch up quickly, especially if they are good skaters. What matters most is learning the right habits from the start, so there is nothing to unlearn later.

One tip for parents

Make sure the equipment fits. Gear that is too big makes it harder for a young goalie to move, get set and get back up. A good fit matters much more than an expensive brand.

Written by Marek Benda, founder and head coach of Shield Goaltending and goaltending coach of the Newfoundland Regiment (QMJHL).