How to Make a Butterfly Save in Ice Hockey

Posted in Hockey Tips |

With the results of any ice hockey match depending heavily on how good the goalie is, there are several basic defense positions that one can learn if one wants to play at the highest levels of ice hockey as a goalie. The ‘butterfly save’ has been around since the 1960s ever since Glen Hall began to use this ‘unnatural’ position to save low or medium height shots, dekes, deflections and low screen shots. To execute such a position as this, one must be adequately warmed up in order to be flexible enough to make such saves, and avoid torn ligaments etc.
The objective of this position is to create a ‘wall’ that will prevent low or low-angle shots to get through your defense. And this how it is done:

1. In order to keep the hockey puck away from the 5-hole, position the hockey stick in front of your knees making a 90 degree angle with the ice.
2. Spread your feet (which are wider than the normal stance) and push your pads together so that your knees can bend sideways. The top of your pads should meet in the middle.
3. Point your toes outward (while in the butterfly save position), flatten your ankles and position your glove and blocker at waist height to reduce minimum net area for your opponents.
4. Keep your eyes on the puck as always, by maintaining your chest, shoulders and head square to the hockey puck.
5. Wait for the shot at goal.
6. Resume back to normal position once the puck has been saved.