Rethinking the "Bad Rebound"

In the fast-paced game of hockey, every save is crucial, and rebounds can be the difference between a goal and a whistle. Yet, the term "bad rebound" is often thrown around without much nuance, creating unnecessary pressure and potentially hindering a goalie's development.

This blog aims to challenge the traditional definition of a "bad rebound" and encourage a more critical approach to understanding and addressing rebounds.

Beyond the Corner: Rebounds are Relative

Recently, a conversation with a fellow goalie sparked a thought-provoking realization. They expressed frustration with a "bad rebound" with a blocker shot that ended up in the glove corner, rather than the blocker corner. But was it truly bad?

The goalie slammed their stick out of frustration because “their other coach said if it’s not in the blocker corner, it’s a bad rebound.”

Let’s think about this for a minute:

• A high blocker save deflects directly off the goalie's blocker, sending the puck into the slot. However, the opposing team lacks presence in this area, and your defenseman secures it calmly. Was this truly a "bad" rebound?

• A perfect glove-side save deflects off an opponent's shin pad and trickles in the net. This, despite the goalie executing textbook stick save. We still label it a "bad" rebound?

These situations highlight the limitations of a one-size-fits-all definition. Simply putting the puck in a specific location doesn't guarantee safety. Rebounds become truly "bad" only when they land in immediate danger zones where the opposing team can capitalize.

Moving Beyond the Bark: Critical Thinking and Communication

As coaches and mentors, it's crucial to move beyond simply barking at goalies when rebounds don't end up in the corners.

By fostering a deeper understanding of rebounds and open communication, we can empower goalies to make informed decisions, build confidence, and ultimately, become more effective goalies they can be.

Remember, we can’t eliminate rebounds altogether, but we can manage them effectively and minimize the risk they pose. Let's create a more nuanced understanding of rebounds and empower our goalies to thrive in the dynamic game situations.

-Jamie

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