TannerHockey #2:T-Pushes

Hi all,

My idea is very simple - to create a worldwide hockey goalie community, my speciality being inline hockey.

First of all, if you haven't already, please see my you-tube video and subscribe to my channel.  If you subscribe it will make sure you are notified every time I make a new video, the link to my video is here, please click the subscribe button: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZbLB4ZZnEY

For those who don't know me, my name is James Tanner, I'm 28, I play for the London Street Warriors inline hockey team based in the UK, and have represented team Great Britain for both IIHF and IISHF organisations since 2005.  This year I should, if all goes to plan, be playing in Pool A of the IIHF world championships against the likes of the Czech Republic, USA, Canada and Sweden amongst others.  This series will chronicle my training leading up to the tournament but will also act as a coaching and information sharing medium.  Never having been coached for inline, it occurs to me how great it would be if I could go to the internet and someone knowledgeable was there and wanted to help me improve my hockey...I want to be that guy.

The clip is me, at a training session, taking some time out to practice t-pushes.  I have two movement sequences here:

• a triangle formation (simulating a passing play moving from the left point, to the slot, to the right point and back again)
• a rectangle formation (simulating a pass from a tight post angle, to the point, across to the far point, back down to the post angle, and back again)

These two passing plays are reminiscent of defending a penalty kill.

In my opinion the t-push in inline is a specialised move that few use in today's game.  T-pushes in inline require tons of strength, skill, control, and practice, and need to be used in the right situations.  It is a move that has both positives and negatives, which we can explore here:

Advantages vs. other methods of skating into position:

• It is quick, sharp and precise if executed correctly
• You can cover far greater distances in the same amount of time compared to simply drifting or stepping into position
• It allows you to play PKs with aggressive depth, while assessing the potential for a back door play
• It demonstrates confidence, it can be intimidating playing a goalie who really gets around the crease well

Disadvantages vs. other methods of skating into position:

• It is a tiring technique unless you have excellent conditioning, far more taxing than the ice skating equivalent
• On plays very close in, you open up the five hole and are not best placed to make a low pad save if a shot develops low on the side you are travelling
• You eat wheels!

In short there are times when the t-push is very effective, and others where it would be best to play a little deeper and be shot ready.  I will be posting a follow up movie for the t-push filmed on sport court, here the t-push is much less taxing because of the reduced friction compared to playing on a varnished floor.  I can go through the progression of t-push execution breaking down the steps, and if I can figure out the technology, maybe slow-motion.  

I cannot stress enough, if a goaltender has excellent powerful skating it is almost difficult to not be successful.  It is by far my most focused training area, and in my coaching it is where I make sure my students are challenged.

One thing I do to get the conditioning and explosive power detailed here and in future clips is the Insanity workout by Beachbody, to find out more, I have the link to it on Amazon.  It isn't cheap, it will suck, but it will be worth it, this is a game changer to me and part of my daily routine: Insanity with Amazon

Future blogs and films will cover everything from Techniques, to Nutrition, to Mental Strength, and Planning.  My goal is that all goalies, all over the world, have a way to grow and have support, so we can all raise our games by sharing knowledge, and make life miserable for forwards :)

You are not alone, if you are a goalie and you want help with anything, email me and I promise to respond and support you.

James Tanner