Welcome back to another edition of Goalie Training Pro’s weekly live Q&A! If you missed the live session, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with the key takeaways. Let’s dive into the biggest questions and discussions from our latest session.
Balancing Off-Season Training with a Busy Summer
One of the most common concerns I hear from athletes is how to stay consistent with training when summer schedules get hectic. A question came in from an athlete wondering whether the Varsity Off-Season Training Program would still be beneficial despite a summer filled with camp and travel.
Here’s the takeaway: Elite athletes focus on what they can do rather than what they can’t do. If you have three full months to train, that’s already a solid foundation. Even when away from a gym, you can still maintain speed workouts, stamina exercises, and mobility training. The key is to adapt rather than abandon the program. Every bit of effort counts, and progress is made by staying consistent with what’s available.
Optimizing Butterfly Flare & Mobility Training
Another question focused on whether the free Butterfly Challenge or the Varsity Program would be better for improving butterfly flare. The answer? While the Butterfly Challenge offers a great starting point, the Varsity Program is designed to be more advanced, providing deeper, more structured mobility work.
Keep in mind that everyone has a physiological limit to their hip internal rotation. While improvements are possible, it’s important to understand that anatomy plays a role. The key is consistent mobility training tailored to your specific range of motion.
Off-Season Training Structure for Goalies
A few reminders about structuring an effective off-season:
- Take two weeks off after your season ends—no structured training, but light mobility work is encouraged.
- Start with an early off-season phase focusing on flexibility, biomechanics, and connective tissue durability.
- Move into progressive strength training in later phases, ensuring adaptations build on each other.
- Plan ahead—delays in getting started can put you behind, making it harder to catch up later.
Training for Young Goalies
A parent asked about the best approach for a 9-year-old goalie debating between full-time goalie training or splitting time between playing goalie and skating as a player. My recommendation? A 75/25 split (goalie to player) is a great balance. It helps develop overall skating skills, minimizes early wear and tear on the hips, and keeps the game fun and exciting.
Looking for a Video Editor!
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As always, if you have any questions for Maria, please reach out to help[at]goalietrainingpro.com
Stay tuned for more insights and tips in our next session, and remember to prioritize your health and training as you work towards your goals!
That’s all for today. Thanks for stopping by. Catch you here next time!