Butterfly Goalie Style: What Makes It Effective in Hockey?

What is a Butterfly Goalie in Hockey? Understanding This Iconic Style

The Butterfly Style: A Brief Overview

Well, if you’ve ever watched a hockey game, you’ve probably seen a goalie drop to their knees, legs spread out like the wings of a butterfly. It’s one of the most iconic goalie movements, but what does it actually mean? Why do goalies use this style, and what makes it so effective? Let’s dive into it.

The Basics of the Butterfly

The butterfly style in hockey is all about positioning. A goalie drops to their knees, spreading their legs wide to cover the lower part of the net, effectively blocking any shots aimed at the bottom corners. The goalie’s body forms a "V" shape with the legs, looking a lot like a butterfly’s wings, hence the name.

Honestly, when I first saw a goalie do this, I was confused. It looked like they were just taking a dive for no reason! But as I got to understand the game more, I realized how crucial the butterfly is for goalies to cover as much of the net as possible, especially on shots from close range.

Why Do Goalies Use the Butterfly Style?

Maximizing Coverage and Minimizing Gaps

A butterfly goalie’s primary goal is to eliminate gaps in the lower portion of the net. When you’re playing against fast, hard shots, the butterfly allows you to quickly get low and cover those bottom corners. This is important because many goals come from shots aimed at the goalie’s legs or the small gaps between the pads and the ice.

I remember chatting with my friend Jake, who’s a goalie, and he said the butterfly is all about reducing the chances of a "five-hole" goal (the space between the goalie’s legs). When you’re in the butterfly, you can close off the five-hole and cover the lower corners without sacrificing much in terms of mobility.

Speed and Reaction Time

Now, I won’t lie—goalies who rely on the butterfly need insane reflexes. They have to be able to drop into that position at a moment’s notice and then recover just as quickly. If you watch a goalie in the butterfly, you’ll often see them shift their weight or slide across the crease to adjust to a new shot. It’s all about being fast and flexible.

This style became more prominent in the 1990s when goalies like Patrick Roy and Dominik Hasek made it popular. They perfected the technique, showing how effective it could be in high-speed situations. Honestly, I’ve always been impressed by how goalies can seem to move so fast while staying in that low position.

The Pros and Cons of the Butterfly Style

Advantages: Strong Defensive Coverage

One of the biggest advantages of the butterfly is its defensive strength. By covering the lower half of the net so efficiently, goalies can block many types of shots, especially low shots, that are common in the modern game. The butterfly also makes it harder for shooters to aim for those bottom corners, forcing them to go for high shots or tricky angles.

When I played in net a few times during my school days (don’t laugh, it was a mess), I remember trying to mimic the butterfly, and I immediately felt how much more secure I was. I was blocking way more shots, but my knees were sore as hell after. Still, the feeling of controlling the lower part of the net was amazing.

Disadvantages: Less Mobility and Vulnerability to High Shots

However, the butterfly does come with its downsides. When you’re in the butterfly, you’re low to the ice, and that makes it harder to react to high shots. If a shooter aims for the upper corners of the net, the goalie may need to quickly adjust and "pop" back up, which can leave them vulnerable to a quick change in direction.

I’ve seen games where a goalie’s butterfly position worked brilliantly, but then the opponent pulled off a quick wrist shot up high, and the goalie couldn’t get back in time. It’s frustrating, especially when you’ve seen that goalie cover every low shot.

How Does a Goalie Train to Master the Butterfly?

Strengthening the Lower Body and Flexibility

Becoming a butterfly goalie is no easy task. It requires tremendous strength in the legs, particularly in the thighs and hips, since you're constantly dropping into the position and holding it. Plus, there’s the flexibility factor—goalies need to stretch their legs wide and maintain stability without toppling over.

I remember watching my buddy Tyler—he’s a goalie at the college level—and he told me about the insane flexibility training he does. Every day, he’s working on his flexibility, doing stretches specifically for his hips and groin. It's tough, but that flexibility is key for performing in the butterfly position.

Drills and Mental Focus

Aside from physical training, there’s a huge mental element. A butterfly goalie has to stay focused, always anticipating the next shot. Practicing the butterfly movement repeatedly during drills helps build muscle memory, so it becomes second nature during a game. That’s why you’ll often see goalies doing rapid-fire shot drills, practicing the quick drops and recoveries that are crucial for staying in position.

Final Thoughts: The Butterfly, A Game-Changer for Goalies

So, what’s the deal with the butterfly goalie in hockey? In a nutshell, it’s a technique that allows goalies to cover more of the net, especially against low shots, while requiring incredible strength, flexibility, and quick reflexes. Sure, it’s not without its weaknesses, like vulnerability to high shots, but when executed properly, the butterfly style is a game-changer.

Honestly, if you’re looking to get into hockey and play goalie, understanding the butterfly is essential. It’s become the standard for modern goalies and, despite its challenges, offers a solid foundation for stopping a wide variety of shots. Just make sure your knees are ready for the workout!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.