I know I am probably out of my mind, but my kid has been taking private lessons once a week for two seasons and every other week prior to that. He is a first year peewee this year. Do most goalie parents do this? Our association does clinics every other week but aside from that the coach of the team does nothing in the way of teaching, I don't expect him to. I will also add the the lesson are because he ask for them. When/if he ever decides he doesn't want them I will save quite a chunk of cash every week. But as long as he is working hard at them and loving it I will continue them.

I can only speak for myself.....my kid isn't a goalie, however, he takes private skating lessons on a weekly basis. I do this because 1)he enjoys it 2) it gives him the skating skills he is going to need in order to be competitive 3) with the amount of money it costs to play travel hockey, he may as well be one of the stronger skaters on the team so he gets his playing time!

I guess the wife and I feel that a little extra practice can't hurt. It shows when people see the kids who take lessons - they seem more comfortable and agile while on the ice. You can tell the kids who put the time in, whether they take lessons or just practice hard on their own.

Steve

I know this s almost 3 and a half months later but I play goalie to. Like your son I am a goalie that does not have a trainer. I play Midget but every week there is a free goalie clinic here for every goalie who wants to come out. The reason I go is because I have fun at them. You meet lots of interesting goalies who have there own perpective on certain things. It is fun and you become closer friends. Other than this goalie clinic I have no training what so ever. So here is what I suggest. Go and watch your son at a couple of goalie practices. Then when he is at one of his regular hockey practices have him work on what he has learned. That is the best way to help him improve. And I always find the more fun it is the more you learn.

Our club has a goalie coach. My son gets 2-3 goalie specific lessons per month, sometimes even 4, at no additional cost. It's awesome that the club has a real goalie coach and not just a coach teaching the wrog stuff. Very important since he is a Mite and this is his first full year playing goal.

I know that this is a little bit late. My daughter has a personal goalie coach, and it is the best thing for her. At her level, it has definately helped.

HockeyDadof2, If you watch the show "The Tournament" and have added an addition on to your home like pyscho hockey dad Barry McConnell did, then you are certifiable! If not, then we are in the same boat. My son is also a goalie, a 2nd year SQ on a travel club in Atlanta. It's his 3rd year between the pipes and he takes private lessons along with other camps. However, I found he gets more out of 45 minutes of a private lesson then sharing a "goal" or station with 3 or 4 other goalies. Also, being an ex-goalie myself, I can relate to being "ignored" by the coaches during practice. As long as he enjoys the private lessons, is getting something out of them and his passion for the game continues to grow, keep it up. Just be careful not to burn him out too early. We are actually taking a break this Spring and letting him just be a kid and play afterschool instead of running off to practice. Good luck.

This all depends on two issues. Does you child want to get better and practice more ? If yes, then ask yourself if you can afford it. My son at a very early age of 6 decided he wanted to be a goalie, he played out for 1/2 a season, then it was his turn to be the goalie. We have never looked back. 4 years ago. We are on a year round program that we put together. I will let you know it is very $$$ and we don't go on vacations.
Sept to March He is one the ice 8 to 9 times a week. 2x on Sat 3x on Sun 1x tues,thurs,fri.

March after playoffs nothing for 3 weeks.
April to July-01 7x a week once a day. all different types, sometimes 3 on 3, 1 on 1 with Goalie Coach.

July thur Aug 1x a week with 2 week long goalie camps 10 hr per day 5 days a week.

Aug thur Sept -nothing. It's sounds like alot, his choice.We have done this the last 3 years.
Do parents tell me I am burning him out, yes. But I also have a 10 year old who gets mad at me if we are late.
Most rep goalies in Vancouver,BC avg 4 times a week at the least. Most important info- everytime he has a practice we hire his Goalie Coach to be on the ice with him. Most Coaches no nothing about Goalies, drills for them. They figure its target practice.

Can't recommend lessons enough!
My son has taken private lessons monthly for 4 years, he really likes the instructor and both of us have learned alot. Are we crazy for driving 2 hours each way for a 1 hour private lesson??? Maybe. But I'll never regret the time spent on the ride with my son. I've learned his dreams and ambitions. I wish we could go for lessons more often, but he has made significant progress. His teammates have noticed how good he's gotten and both their and his confidence have risen. Unfortunately, the goalies who have not gotten training have fallen behind and will likely never catch up.
the private lessons have been great for the team and for my son.
Find the best instructor you can and get your kid on track for success.