'Structure Drives Performance'
What Every Goalie Parent Should Know About Movement Mechanics
In our goalie development, we often use the phrase “form and function” when teaching movement and technique. But for young goalies—and even experienced ones—it’s easy to lose sight of what these words actually mean in the context of practice execution.
So, let’s make it simple and specific:
When we talk about ‘form’, we’re talking about alignment and activation.
When we talk about ‘function’, we’re talking about the efficient movement patterns needed to achieve a specific tactical result—like arriving on time to achieve center and square in the shooting lane.
Form = Alignment + Activation
Form is how a goalie prepares and shapes their body before and during movement. It’s about setting up your body in a position where everything can work together.
- Alignment: Are the shoulders, hips, and knees stacked and square for balance and stability? Is the torso tilted, and the hands loaded, to maximize aggressive balance?
- Activation: Are the core, glutes, and legs engaged to support control thru movement? Are the hips stable and working to push power down thru the legs and into edges?
Think of form as the starting structure. If the body is aligned and activated properly, the movement that follows has a higher chance of being clean, connected, and controlled. Poor form—like collapsing posture or unengaged hands—creates instability before the goalie even starts to move.
Function = Efficient Movement Patterns
Function is what happens after form is established—it’s the efficiency of execution. It’s how well the body moves from Point A to Point B in response to the play, and how effectively that movement supports game-specific reaction.
Efficient function means:
- Crease movement without wasted energy
- Seamless vertical and diagonal transfers (standing to butterfly, butterfly to recovery) without hesitation or breakdown from weak links
- Soft, balanced control throughout every phase of movement
In short, function is about efficient, connected movement. It’s the ability to move with purpose—free of weak links—using the least amount of energy while achieving transitional agility and explosive acceleration.
How Form and Function Work Together
Form sets the stage—alignment and activation provide the structure. Function follows—efficient movement patterns bring that structure to life in real-time game situations.
When a goalie is properly aligned and activated, the body is in an optimal position to move with control, balance, and purpose. The shoulders, hips, and knees are stacked; the core and legs are engaged; the edges are energized. That’s form doing its job.
Once the puck moves, it’s time for function to take over. If form is solid, the resulting movement is efficient:
- The goalie moves cleanly through the crease without wasting energy
- Transitions between positions happen seamlessly, without lag or instability
- The body flows in and out of movements with soft control and balanced recovery
But when form breaks down—say, poor alignment or a lack of activation—function suffers. Movement becomes delayed, inefficient, or disconnected. What looks like a “slow push” or “sloppy recovery” is often just poor form revealing itself in action.
Effective goaltending happens when form and function are in sync. The body is primed (form), and the movement is purposeful and efficient (function). Together, they create a performance that’s not just technically sound—but consistently repeatable under pressure.
What Our Experienced Instructors Look For in Training
When evaluating mechanics or designing drills, our focus is on the relationship between form and function. We’re not just watching what a goalie does—we’re assessing how and why they do it.
Some key questions we ask:
- Is the goalie aligned and activated before movement begins?
Is their posture, from core to edges, engaged and setting them up for success?
- Is the movement direct, balanced, and under control?
Are they moving efficiently, without unnecessary steps or instability?
- Does the movement achieve the intended result with efficiency?
Are they arriving in the shooting lane, set early, and ready for the next phase of play?
These, any many other checkpoints help us ensure that form is building the foundation, and function is delivering the result.
Form is the foundation. Function is the follow-through. Both need to be dialed in for consistent, high-level goaltending.
Final Word
If you focus only on how things look (form), you risk developing movement that breaks down under pressure. If you focus only on outcomes (function), you may build habits that are effective short-term but unsustainable long-term controlled explosiveness.
The sweet spot is where form (alignment + activation) creates the conditions for function (efficient, effective movement).
Train both. Build both. And your game will be stronger for it.
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